Mala Noche

Mala Noche, in the US on Criterion Channel and TCM, takes its central relationship as seriously as its plot. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. You will have strong feelings about it by the finale. Available now on Criterion Channel — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Mala Noche is worth clearing space for. What makes Mala Noche work is that the obstacles feel real, not manufactured for the plot. Walt is a lonely convenience store clerk who has fallen in love with a Mexican migrant worker named Johnny. Though Walt has little in common with the object of his affections — including a shared language — his desire to possess Johnny prompts a sexual awakening that results in a tangled love triangle. Doug Cooeyate and Tim Streeter lead a cast that makes the relationship feel genuine, not scripted. It hit screens in 1987. Romance lives or dies on chemistry, and Mala Noche has it in the cast combination that the writers chose to put at the centre of everything. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Romance fans and drama viewers alike will find something to love in Mala Noche. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. The chemistry Doug Cooeyate brings to it is the engine that drives everything. A rarer quality than it sounds — earning the romantic beats rather than assuming them.

Mala Noche was released in 1987, directed by Gus Van Sant. The full 75-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.