One scene captures this perfectly: the phone rings, and someone explains that their mother forgot her glasses at the hospital. Benesch already has more than enough on her plate, but instead of ignoring the request, she responds with warmth, patiently takes down the details, and assures them it will be handled. It’s a quiet moment, but it speaks volumes about her ability to remain humane when stress could so easily take over.

Another actor who supported the Late Shift’s plot is Jürg Plüss (Severin). Plüss played his role annoyingly well in revealing how humans can be indifferent. In the film, Severin repeatedly talks to Lind in a disrespectful manner because he suffers from her lack of punctuality, as she tries to attend to all patients simultaneously. Lind explained the cause of the slow attention towards him and even apologised despite the fact that she had nothing to do with it. Severin let all she said pass out through his other ear and continued with his words of indifference. His performance represents deep-rooted entitlement that knows no bounds. Late Shift stands out for its unique storyline, but the same can’t be said for its audio. Viewers might need to connect to loudspeakers to hear the dialogue clearly, or otherwise depend on subtitles. 

How Does It Look on Screen?

Judith Kaufmann did a marvelous job in Late Shift’s cinematography. She used close-up shots to capture emotional moments, giving viewers a direct bridge to connect with Lind. Kaufmann avoids the use of excessively polished visuals. She made the hospital environment feel lived-in and natural. Her touch in the film’s cinematography creates an element of empathy with the character due to long, fluid takes. Even though the setting of Late Shift is plotted in a hospital, Kaufmann’s framing choices avoid graphic, unsettling imagery, instead focusing on human expressions and subtle details that maintain viewers’ engagement without discomfort. The camera movement is natural and immersive. Kaufmann used long shots to smoothly capture Lind’s consistent movement from patient to patient. This stands out because, as a nurse, Lind moves around a lot in the film, attending to different patients. The way the camera is handled, one can tell the intense amount of work required to capture her fast-paced movement. It also reflects the tension in the film, as it allows viewers to feel the shift as if they were present in the movie.

The Late Shift takes place at night, but the use of cinematic night lighting makes viewers forget from time to time. It made the visuals of the film sharp and well-defined. There are no dull moments where viewers might find it difficult to see clearly because of the clear lighting that supports the film’s narrative. Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch composed the songs for Late Shift. Farrouch used soft and emotional sounds that pair well with the film’s storyline and message. Especially towards the end of the film, the song used there aligns with what’s being shown on screen. It makes room for the audience to feel sympathetic and even empathetic. Farrouch should be applauded. However, she could have added a few more songs to support the emotional impact of the film. 

The Message

Late Shift stands out for its uncommon storyline and deep message. Volpe should be given credit for creating this masterpiece that communicates a message that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Audiences who like action thrillers and crime movies might not find Late Shift exciting due to its calm and emotional storyline, but that doesn’t reduce the quality and impact of the film.

Watch Late Shift on Apple TV+.