Night Patrol explodes onto Shudder with unhinged energy—a vampire LAPD death squad versus Bloods and Crips who discover Zulu mysticism to fight back in Ryan Prows’ genre-soup masterpiece. Jermaine Fowler leads this bloody mashup of From Dusk Till Dawn grit, social commentary, and practical gore effects that hits theaters January 16, 2026, before streaming infamy.
Vampire Cops vs Gang Truce: Wild Plot
LAPD officer Xavier Carr (Jermaine Fowler) uncovers Night Patrol’s horrific secret: a white supremacist vampire task force led by Dermot Mulroney’s enigmatic “Sarge” and CM Punk’s brutal Deputy, preying on housing project residents while framing gangs. When his brother Wazi (RJ Cyler) witnesses girlfriend Primo’s (Zuri Reed) execution, Crips and superstitious Bloods (Freddie Gibbs) broker an unholy truce invoking African spiritual weapons.
Justin Long’s rookie cop Ethan Hawkins provides twisted humanity—his initiation murder spirals into full supernatural war at Colonial Courts. Prows flips heroes/villains repeatedly, revealing Night Patrol’s neo-Nazi origins amid escalating body horror.
Fowler, Long & Punk Steal Bloody Scenes
Jermaine Fowler anchors as conflicted cop torn between badge and blood family, while Justin Long’s arc from nervous recruit to resurrected monstrosity delivers campy horror gold. CM Punk (Phil Brooks) brings wrestling menace as street-tough enforcer; Freddie Gibbs chews scenery as demon-hunting Bloods leader.
Nicki Micheaux shines as Carr family matriarch wielding ancestral power; rapper YG and Flying Lotus add authentic gang texture. Supporting ensemble sells gonzo chaos through sheer commitment.
Practical Gore & Grainy Grit Masterclass
Ryan Prows’ 16mm-grain visuals capture LA’s underbelly with documentary edge; practical effects deliver gut-spraying, slime-dripping vampire kills that CGI dreams can’t match. Shashwat Sachdev-level sound design amplifies every crunch—finale bloodbath rivals From Dusk Till Dawn’s saloon massacre.
Pacing wobbles mid-act as conspiracy unravels, but third-act escalation compensates with relentless momentum. Self-aware dialogue keeps social commentary sharp without preaching.
Police Brutality Meets Vampire Mythology
Night Patrol weaponizes vampire lore against systemic racism—Night Patrol’s pale supremacy literally feeds on Black communities while gangs reclaim African spiritual heritage. Bold genre pivot midway echoes Sinners, rewarding patient viewers with fresh horror mythology.
Prows juggles police corruption, gang economics, family fracture, and economic despair without losing bloody thread—metaphors land hard even when heavy-handed.
Fantastic Fest Buzz: Critics Divided
Keith and the Movies hails “gonzo energy” and genre love; Third Coast Review praises battle line flips and African heritage combat. NYT gripes sluggish buildup but admits finale delivers campy gore payoff. Shudder exclusive primed for cult status.
Perfect January dump—too wild for wide awards chatter, ideal for late-night horror binges. Expect Letterboxd averaging and Reddit horror threads to immortalize it.
Final Verdict
Night Patrol swings for exploitation fences and lands most punches—vampire cop social horror lands fresh amid oversaturated genre. Practical effects, committed performances, and fearless pivots elevate pulpy premise into memorable midnight madness.
Stream Shudder post-theatrical run or catch screenings—perfect double feature with Sinners or Abel Ferrara’s The Addiction. Ryan Prows cements cult status; this patrol raids horror history.
