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Late Shift

Late Shift is a interactive (FMV) crime thriller written and directed by Tobias Weber. Developed by CtrlMovie using participation film technology, it was published by for platforms including Microsoft Windows, macOS, , , , , and . The game centers on Matt Thompson, a mathematics student working a late shift as a attendant, who becomes entangled in a high-stakes at a auction house. Players control the protagonist through branching choices that lead to one of seven endings, emphasizing in a cinematic . Originally premiered as an audience-participation film in April 2016, the standalone video game version launched on Steam on 18 April 2017. It received generally positive reviews for its production quality, acting, and innovative format, earning a Metacritic score of 72 and the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Game in 2018.

Development

Conception

The concept for Late Shift was inspired by the autobiographical novel Our Profession Is Not the Problem. It's the Circumstances by German nurse Madeline Calvelage, which provided a thrilling depiction of daily nursing challenges. Director and writer Volpe, who conceived the project before the , drew from her own experiences during the crisis in , where she witnessed the intense struggles of healthcare workers. To ensure authenticity, Volpe conducted extensive research by shadowing nurses, interviewing staff, and even working in hospitals herself. She collaborated with Calvelage and a team including two nurses and a to develop realistic stories and scenarios centered on protagonist Floria's high-pressure night shift in an understaffed surgical ward. The screenplay emphasizes themes of , ethical dilemmas, and , condensing an 8-hour shift into a 90-minute narrative with escalating tension.

Production

Late Shift was produced by Zodiac Pictures in , in co-production with MMC Zodiac in and Swiss Radio and Television (SRF). The project had a of €3.7 million and was developed over a decade of collaboration between Volpe and producers Reto Schaerli and Lukas Hobi at Zodiac Pictures. Filming took place in a small, historic in , utilizing one floor for production logistics and another for shooting across two wards to capture authentic medical environments. Equipment was sourced from active hospitals to maintain realism. Cinematographer Judith Kaufmann employed tight, real-time camera work to convey Floria's perspective amid the chaos. Lead actress prepared physically with a coach and interned at Liestal Cantonal Hospital, advised by a nurse consultant throughout production. by Hansjörg Weissbrich balanced high-stress action sequences with emotional pauses, while the score was composed by to heighten the urgency. Challenges included synchronizing fast-paced action with dialogue and ensuring the narrative's emotional depth without overwhelming the audience. The film premiered at the 75th in February 2025.

Gameplay

Late Shift is a traditional film and does not feature interactive mechanics. The story unfolds linearly over a single night, focusing on the protagonist's experiences in a setting. The film's is approximately 95 minutes. For details on the narrative structure and character development, see the Story and Characters section.

Story and Characters

Plot

Late Shift is set during a single night shift in the surgical ward of a modern hospital facing severe understaffing. The story centers on Floria Lind, a dedicated young nurse who, along with her colleague Bea Schmid, manages a heavy workload of patients amid personnel shortages. As the night progresses, unexpected medical emergencies and ethical dilemmas escalate, testing Floria's compassion, resilience, and professional limits in a high-pressure environment that highlights the realities of healthcare burnout.

Cast

Leonie Benesch stars as Floria Lind, the film's protagonist and a resilient nurse navigating the chaotic shift. Sonja Riesen portrays Bea Schmid, Floria's colleague and fellow nurse handling the demanding workload. Alireza Bayram plays Jan Sharif, a involved in the ward's events. Selma Jamal Aldin appears as Amelie Afshar, contributing to the ensemble of hospital staff and patients. The cast also includes Margherita Schoch as Frau Kuhn, Jürg Plüss as Herr Severin, and Urs Bihler as Herr Leu, among others, depicting various doctors, patients, and staff in the understaffed facility.

Release

Platforms and Dates

Late Shift had its world premiere at the 75th on February 17, 2025, in the Berlinale Special Gala section. The film was theatrically released in on February 27, 2025, distributed by Filmcoopi .) Subsequent screenings included the 72nd on June 7, 2025, in the Features section; the 25th European Film Festival in on July 21, 2025; the 78th on August 11, 2025, in the Swiss Panorama section; the 53rd Norwegian International Film Festival on August 17, 2025, in the Main Programme; the 2025 on October 2, 2025, in the Panorama section; the 22nd European Film Festival on November 7, 2025, in the Official Section; the 56th in November 2025, in the Cinema of the World section; and the on December 6, 2025, in the Festival Favourites section.) In the , the film received a theatrical release on August 1, 2025, distributed by Vertigo Releasing, followed by a streaming release on August 9, 2025. North American distribution rights were acquired by Music Box Films on August 12, 2025.

and Promotion

The for Late Shift focused on its portrayal of healthcare challenges in , with promotions highlighting the film's authentic depiction of nursing and themes of resilience. An official trailer was released on January 21, 2025, emphasizing the intense night shift narrative and Benesch's performance. The film was selected as Switzerland's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th , announced on August 12, 2025, which boosted international promotion through festival circuits and distributor partnerships. Additional promotion included screenings at major film festivals to underscore its social relevance, positioning it as a timely commentary on understaffing in healthcare systems.

Reception

Critical Response

Late Shift has received widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the nursing crisis in , Leonie Benesch's compelling performance, and its tense, real-time depiction of a single night shift. As of November 2025, it holds a 96% approval rating on based on 25 critic reviews, with the consensus describing it as "a cinematic to nurses, capturing the chaos and pressure of an understaffed hospital night shift, elevated by Leonie Benesch’s unflashy skill." Reviewers have praised the film's authenticity and emotional depth. Wendy Ide of noted, "There’s an inevitability to the plotting, but... doesn’t make the spectacle any less potent." Philip Concannon in Sight & Sound highlighted how director Petra Volpe "captures the chaos and pressure of a night shift... elevated by the unflashy skill of ." Variety's review called it "familiar but absorbing," commending Benesch for playing "an overworked, underappreciated nurse juggling crises big and small." Some critics, however, noted minor predictability in the narrative structure. Audience reception has been strongly positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10 on from approximately 5,700 user reviews as of November 2025, and 3.9/5 on from over 21,000 ratings. Viewers have appreciated its stressful immersion and tribute to healthcare workers, though some found the intensity overwhelming.

Awards and Recognition

The film world premiered at the on February 17, 2025, where it received warm reception for its timely themes. In August 2025, Late Shift was selected as Switzerland's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th (2026 Oscars). It has earned several accolades, including a win for Best in the Cinema Feature category at the German Camera Awards. The film was nominated for the Golden Frog in the Main Competition at the 2025 Camerimage International Film Festival. Additionally, it ranked among Letterboxd's top 10 highest-rated narrative features for the first half of 2025.

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