NIGHT NURSE

(director/writer: Georgia Bernstein; cinematographer: Lidia Nikonova; editor: Alex Jacobs; music: Steven Jackson, Sam Clapp; cast: Cemre Paksoy (Eleni Sadik), Bruce McKenzie (Doulas), Eleonore Hendricks (Mona, day nurse), Colleen Rose Trundy (Michelle), Mimi Rogers (Dr. Mann); Runtime: 95; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Veronica Barbosa, Georgia Bernstein, Liane Cunje, Edwin Linker, Lucy Rogers; Independent Film Company; 2026)

“Nasty and tedious erotic thriller.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The debut film of Georgia Bernstein is a nasty and tedious erotic thriller that she writes and directs.

At a posh retirement community, Douglas (Bruce McKenzie) is a senior resident who runs a kinky telephone scam on his fellow seniors. In one such incident the elderly vic is called by someone pretending to be the grandchild, who tells the seniors he’s been arrested and needs bail money from them. The day nurse, Mona (Eleonore Hendricks), then pushes the scam further.

The new and inexperienced night nurse Eleni (Cemre Paksoy) gets involved in the scam and eagerly pushes it along further, even becoming Doug’s lover.

The provocative film fails in its attempt to go the sinister David Lynch “Blue Velvet” route. Its sinister theme never materializes to make it the mind-blowing “midnight movie” it yearns to be. Instead the poorly executed film offers clunky dialogue, a puzzling story, and undeveloped sicko characters. There are few rewards for viewers in such mindless entertainment.

It played at the Sundance Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 7/18/2026  GRADE: C
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