If you’re ever tempted to play a demonic game you find in a dusty attic box covered in blood… maybe don’t. Unless you’re in The Midnight Man (2016), where doing that is just a classic Tuesday night.
Directed by Travis Zariwny and loosely based on an Irish film of the same name, The Midnight Man is part haunted house, part demonic hide-and-seek, and part unintentional comedy gold. Starring horror royalty Lin Shaye and Robert Englund, you’d be forgiven for expecting a tight, terrifying thrill ride. What we actually get is exploding children, salt circles that defy the laws of physics, and the world’s most aggressively specific ritual rules.
Welcome to the Maniverse – where horror gets weird, and we love it all the more for it.
🌀 Wait, what’s the Maniverse?
Here at Pixel Pop Corner, we’ve unofficially created the Maniverse: a lovingly chaotic cinematic realm full of weird horror movies, cursed games, overly complex rituals, and at least one spooky man per film. Think Slender Man, The Bye Bye Man, The Babadook, The Midnight Man – you get the vibe.
They’re creepy, often kinda bad, occasionally iconic, and always fun to scream at.
Welcome to the Midnight Man’s Playground
Alex and Miles find themselves in way over their heads when a spooky game in Grandma Anna’s attic accidentally wakes the Midnight Man – a supernatural nightmare with zero chill. Throw in Kelly, who’s got some seriously questionable survival skills, and Grandma Anna, who might know more than she’s letting on, and you’ve got a recipe for chaos. Oh, and just when you think you’re safe, Dr. Goodberry shows up – not once, but twice – to drop all the spooky backstory like the ultimate horror hype man. Will our crew make it through the night, or will the Midnight Man claim another round of victims? Spoiler: it’s a wild ride.
🕯️🎲 Midnight Man (2016) – A Cursed Recap
a.k.a. The Maniverse Begins: Salt, Screaming & Spiritual Sabotage
Welcome to the cursed attic of chaos, where the rules are made up, the salt never runs out, and the Midnight Man is just happy to be included.
Let’s begin.
The film opens with a child… exploding.
Not metaphorically. Literally. He breaks the rules, steps outside, and combusts like he’s allergic to air and consequences.
This sets the tone: unhinged.
👵 Lin Shaye Enters the Chat (Screaming)
Lin Shaye plays Grandma Anna, giving us pure delusional matriarch in a haunted cardigan vibes. She finds Alex and Miles have opened the game in the attic (bad idea), sees something horrific (we’re not sure what – maybe the Midnight Man’s haircut?), and immediately goes full Oscar mode:
❝ NOOOOOOOO YOU OPENED THE GAAAAAMEEE ❞
(collapses dramatically)
We want this on a mug. Maybe a t-shirt. Definitely forever burned into our nightmares.
🎲 The Rules Are Stupid, Let’s Go
The Midnight Game has rules. So. Many. Rules.
- Write your name on paper ✅
- Light a candle ✅
- Knock 22 times on the attic door (the 22nd knock must be at exactly midnight, lol okay Alex, you got a stopwatch?)
- The game ends at 3:33am (because Midnight Man is very into numerology and drama)
- No lights
- No sleeping
- No lighters (because ambiance matters)
- Do not provoke the Midnight Man (guess what everyone does by minute 20?)
Also:
You must keep your candle lit.
If it goes out, relight it within ten seconds or you must sit in a salt circle and question all your life choices.
Sounds easy? WRONG.
Especially when the Midnight Man… bends the rules.
You think you’re playing fair? He isn’t.
Let’s just say he’s not above messing with time, space, or your will to live.
Classic sore-loser energy — with a flair for drama.
🧂 SALT CIRCLE ECONOMICS
Salt is the real MVP here. They pour it in perfect circles over and over, and that one shaker? NEVER runs out.
Is it:
A) A family-sized Himalayan blend
B) A cursed, bottomless shaker of doom
C) Refilled… by the Midnight Man?
Unclear. But imagine him just offscreen, sighing:
“You idiots broke the rules again. Fine. More salt.” (refills shaker, vanishes)
🔥 Match Martyr Miles
They’re not allowed to use lighters (a rule made by a candle-loving demon), so all fire must be summoned from matches.
ONE box of them.
Held solely by Miles, who becomes Match Wielder Supreme.
He is:
- Lighting candles
- Panicking in the dark
- Making sure no one dies (badly)
- Probably developing carpal tunnel from all the striking
We do not deserve Miles.
He is match boy. He is match man.
He is Match Martyr™.
💀 Wait, Who’s Kelly
Kelly randomly shows up mid-film and is like,
“Is this the creepypasta game?”
Which she says out loud. Unironically.
Alex and Miles blink like they’ve never been on the internet.
Kelly joins the game because she says it’s the only way she can help – which is pretty bold for someone whose biggest fear is that she slit her bunny’s throat as a kid.
(Psycho much? Not a fear, babe. That’s just a confession.)
Still, she’s in. She’s brave.
And then she gets left in the salt circle by her “friends,” who say they’ll come back for her… and immediately go off to make out instead.
✨ Friendship goals. ✨
🧥 Doctor Alan & The Assistant From Another Genre
Robert Englund shows up as Dr. Goodberry or Spookyson or whoever, and just when you think he’s gone, he teleports back into the living room in the final act like:
“Oh hello. I’m here to explain the plot.”
His assistant, Alan, is dressed like a time-travelling jazz pianist from 1923.
Dickie bow. Waistcoat. Maybe a monocle.
Honestly, he’s got more drip than the entire cast combined. What is his story?? We demand a spin-off.
🛁 Is That the Midnight Man in the Bathtub?
There’s a scene shot from behind where the Midnight Man suddenly appears somewhere in the bathroom. From my angle, it looks like he just popped up in the tub – because, honestly, why wouldn’t he?
Can we confirm? Nope.
Will we deny it? Nope.
We just accept this spooky bathroom cameo as fact.
👻 Does the Midnight Man Follow His Own Rules?
Unclear.
- Sometimes he makes you hallucinate
- Sometimes he just mercs you
- Sometimes he plays peekaboo in your mirror
- Occasionally, he forgets he exists for entire scenes
He’s very inconsistent. Possibly unionised. Possibly just having a weird night.
And let’s just say: he’s not exactly a stickler for rules.
Sets the game, breaks the game, probably rewrites it mid-haunt.
Honestly? The pettiness is kind of iconic.
🎬 The Ending (No Spoilers… Okay Mild Spoilers)
Let’s just say the ending involves:
- A box
- A questionable decision by Alan’s kid
- A heavy-handed sequel setup
Despite everything… do we want Midnight Man 2?
Absolutely.
The Maniverse demands it.
And hey, next year is 2026 – the Midnight Man’s tenth anniversary. Just saying.
Ready for the Final Word? Here’s Our Take on Midnight Man
Midnight Man is the cinematic equivalent of a late-night dare gone wrong – you know it’s a bad idea, but you just can’t look away. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and somehow it tries to juggle horror, camp, and “rules” that make about as much sense as a haunted attic full of bottomless salt shakers.
Let’s be real: the scares are hit or miss. Sometimes you get a genuine jump, other times it’s more like the movie yelling “boo!” from across the room while you’re busy scrolling your phone. The Midnight Man himself? He’s like that friend who shows up to the party, forgets why he’s there, then leaves early – except here he’s a tall, imposing figure who’s surprisingly inconsistent with the whole “terrifying entity” thing. Some scenes, he’s stalking mirrors and bathrooms; others, he’s seemingly taking a coffee break.
The characters? Oh, they’re a hoot. Miles, the Match Martyr, valiantly lighting candles like his life depends on it (because it does), and Kelly, whose biggest fear is a childhood bunny confession – yeah, they really went there. Grandma Anna brings the emotional theatrics in full force, with a scream that’ll haunt your nightmares and make you question your own reaction to bad decisions. And let’s not forget Robert Englund, whose cameo as Dr. Goodberry (or whatever his name was) is the perfect blend of spooky, campy, and utterly bizarre – teleporting in to dump exposition like it’s Halloween candy.
The plot? Well, it exists in a loose, salt-crusted form. It’s part creepypasta, part haunted attic horror, part “did that really just happen?” The rules of the game provide a quirky structure, but no one really follows them – which, honestly, fits the movie’s vibe. There’s salt, candles, knocking, screaming, and a lot of running around in the dark like a confused, terrified improv troupe.
In short: Midnight Man isn’t the next great horror classic. It’s not even the best midnight movie to binge with friends. But it’s weirdly addictive in its chaotic energy and unapologetic camp. If you want a horror flick that’s more “so bad it’s good” than “scream-inducing masterpiece,” you’re in for a treat. Just don’t forget the salt.
🍿 Final Thoughts
Is it scary? Occasionally.
Is it good? Debatable.
Did we scream “NOOOOOO YOU OPENED THE GAMEEEE” multiple times after watching it? Constantly.
Thank you for this cursed journey.
Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to sit in a salt circle and process everything. 🕯️
🩸 Meet the Midnight Man Cast
Because summoning a supernatural entity is always more fun with friends, family, and one mysterious assistant in formalwear.
- Gabrielle Haugh as Alex Luster, the Final-ish Girl
You might know Gabrielle from Days of Our Lives, Jeepers Creepers 3, or Monsters of California. Here, she plays our main girl Alex, who finds a creepy game in her grandma’s attic and goes, “Sure, why not.” She doesn’t have the matches. She doesn’t know the rules. But she’s giving it her best scream-queen shot. - Lin Shaye as Grandma Anna, the Keeper of Forbidden Secrets
The queen of horror herself – Lin Shaye has been scaring and delighting us for over fifty years with more than a hundred films under her belt. Known as a true scream queen, she’s starred in classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Critters (1986), the Insidious series (2010–2023), Ouija (2014), and The Grudge (2020). Here, she’s Grandma Anna – part delusional matriarch, part unintentional ally to the Midnight Man, and 100% unforgettable. When she yells “NOOOOOOO YOU OPENED THE GAMEEEE,” it’s Oscar-worthy. We want that on mugs, t-shirts, and nightmares. Her manner is aggressive. Her attic is cursed. Her vibes? Unmatched. - Grayson Gabriel as Miles, the Candle-Lighting Chaos Enabler
Grayson Gabriel (Stan Helsing, Once Upon a Time, Anthem of a Teenage Prophet) plays Miles – the maybe-boyfriend who knows just enough about the Midnight Man game to get everyone in serious trouble. He’s the official match wielder, rule reciter, and panic distributor. Basically: if you hear him say “It’ll be fine,” run. - Emily Haine as Kelly, the Salt Circle Casualty
Emily Haine (Fargo, Deadpool, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) plays Kelly, who shows up halfway through the film with a backstory we did not ask for: “I slit my rabbit’s throat.” Girl, what? She has no fear, no boundaries, and no screen time left by the end. The others literally leave her in a salt circle like a spooky snack for the Midnight Man. Justice for Kelly. Or not. We’re still processing the rabbit thing. - Robert Englund as Dr. Goodberry, the Jumpscare of Exposition
Yes – that Robert Englund. Horror royalty. Freddy Krueger himself. Here, he plays Dr. Goodberry, a medical professional who shows up early on to check on Grandma… and lay the groundwork for doom.
Then, without warning, he randomly shows up again – this time sitting casually in the lounge – like he forgot something or just really enjoys the chaos. But he’s just in time to tell us what the Midnight Man is, what he wants, and why we’re all doomed.
His delivery is so serious it wraps all the way back around to camp – and we love it. He’s a walking lore dump and a jumpscare of exposition, the chaotic cherry on top of this midnight sundae. - Michael Sirow as Alan, the Assistant From Another Genre
Played by Michael Sirow (Primal, Fortress, 9.8 m/s²), Alan is the time-travelling jazz pianist of our dreams nightmares. Waistcoat. Dickie bow. Possibly a monocle. He shows up mid-chaos like he wandered off the set of The Prestige and never looked back. Is he a scientist? A séance butler? A confused ghost hunter from the 1920s? We don’t know. We don’t care. We just know he’s serving looks and lore in equal measure. Honestly, we’d watch a whole spin-off called Alan & The Attic. - Kyle Strauts as The Midnight Man, the Tall, Dark, and Spooky Enigma
Played by Kyle Strauts (Are You Afraid of the Dark?, The Predator, Prey), this towering 6’9” Canadian brings the chilling creature to life with a silent, looming presence that haunts every shadowy corner. A former pro lacrosse player turned actor and dancer, Kyle’s got the moves-and the height-to make Midnight Man unforgettable. He’s less about words, more about eerie vibes and creeping dread. Seriously, don’t look behind you.
Why Watch The Midnight Man?
Because sometimes you don’t want a flawless masterpiece-you want a glorious trainwreck that’s equal parts hilarious, spooky, and totally unpredictable. This movie knows it’s not high art, and it wears that proudly like a badge of honour. Expect cringe-worthy dialogue, wild character choices, jump scares that catch you off guard, and moments so ridiculous you’ll be laughing through the fear.
It’s the kind of flick you watch with friends while throwing popcorn at the screen and quoting the weirdest lines later. Plus, who doesn’t love a good salt circle betrayal? If you’re into horror that’s more “OMG what did I just watch?” than “boo,” then The Midnight Man is your new guilty pleasure.
People Also Ask About The Midnight Man
Curious about the mystery, rules, and actors behind The Midnight Man? We’ve gathered the most asked questions and served up quick, snarky answers so you can get the lowdown without the midnight scares. Dive in!
What is the story behind the Midnight Man?
A spooky game gone wrong summons a terrifying entity known as the Midnight Man. When Alex plays the game, things get creepy fast-and nobody knows who will survive the night.
What are the rules of the Midnight Man?
Light candles, stay in the circle, don’t look away, and absolutely don’t let the Midnight Man catch you. Easy, right? Spoiler: it’s not.
Is it worth watching the Midnight Man?
If you’re in for a wild ride of cringe, camp, and unexpected scares, then yes. It’s less about “good” and more about “fun.” Perfect for horror fans who love a guilty pleasure.
What is the film “Midnight Man” about?
Teen Alex accidentally unleashes a supernatural force while playing a creepy game, forcing her and friends to survive the night as the Midnight Man hunts them down.
What was Miles’ fear in the Midnight Man?
Pain. A classic fear that deserved more screen time-but hey, it was there, lurking in the background like a candle about to go out.
Who played the Midnight Man?
Kyle Strauts, standing tall at 6’9”, brought the Midnight Man to life. A Canadian actor with a background in pro lacrosse, dance, and a double degree in Kinesiology and Education. He’s also known for roles in Are You Afraid of the Dark? (since 2019), The Predator (2018), and Prey (2022). Talk about a multifaceted talent!
The Midnight Man’s Final Curtain Call 🎭
So, is The Midnight Man a masterpiece of horror? Nah.
Is it a perfect film? Nope.
But is it wildly entertaining in all its spooky, cheesy, jump-scare glory? Absolutely.
It’s the kind of movie that’s less about fright and more about fun-like your weird cousin showing up uninvited but somehow making the party better. You’ll cringe, you’ll laugh, you might even scream (mostly at the plot), but you won’t be bored.
So grab your matches (or don’t), turn off the lights (if you dare), and dive into this bizarre, spooky, sometimes baffling midnight ritual. Because sometimes the best scares come with a side of “What did I just watch?”
Ready to summon the Midnight Man? Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Hungry for more creepy fun? Check out our other horror movie reviews and keep the chills coming!
Also, check out our Letterboxd review of The Midnight man here >>
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