Vanessa Kirby is making waves this year, not only for her acclaimed role as Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps but also for her work producing and starring in the new Netflix film, Night Always Comes. The movie, adapted from Willy Vlautin‘s novel, follows Lynette, a traumatized woman desperate to secure $25,000 to save her family home. Taking place over one intense night, Lynette must confront her painful past to achieve this goal. Vanessa’s production role on the film marks her debut in this capacity, blending her talents both in front of and behind the camera.
The film also features Julia Fox as Gloria, an old acquaintance of Lynette who now lives a seemingly lavish life supported by her senator boyfriend. However, Gloria’s need to constantly navigate his temper reveals a less glamorous reality. Fox, known for her breakout role in 2019’s Uncut Gems and her nomination for the Gotham Awards Breakthrough Actor Award, is riding a wave of success herself as she prepares for the release of Jordan Peele’s upcoming horror film HIM.
In a conversation with Collider, Kirby reflected on the challenges and rewards of bringing this tough story to screen, emphasizing the importance of representation for characters like Lynette and Gloria. She explained how the production team was drawn to telling a story not frequently seen in cinema—a gritty, authentic portrayal of individuals fighting to survive in a system stacked against them.
Kirby noted that while Lynette is a difficult character to watch, the film carefully frames her actions so audiences understand her motivations:
Okay, this woman — we might not always agree with what she’s doing, the choices she makes, or the extremities she goes to, but we know why.
—Vanessa Kirby, Actress and Producer
She added that the story highlights society’s failure to support people in desperate situations and the responsibility of those with more resources to help:
“When human beings are in really desperate situations, they do really desperate things. And that’s society’s responsibility to take care of them and the responsibility for people who have much more.”
This was a guiding principle during the adaptation, aiming to bring a difficult yet meaningful narrative to audiences.
Julia Fox Explains How She Brings Unhinged Dialogue to Life and Taught Slang to Vanessa Kirby
Julia Fox is lauded for her ability to make intense and frenetic dialogue come across as raw and believable. When asked about her technique for mastering conversational flow, she emphasized her love for improvisation and naturalism in dialogue.
“I’m always pushing to riff and do a little bit of improv, because I feel like it just always ends up sounding more natural. I’m such a stickler for that,”
Fox said, explaining how the actors were given freedom on set. She praised Vanessa Kirby for quickly adapting to the American slang despite Kirby’s British background.
Kirby admitted she struggled to keep up with Fox’s rapid-fire delivery but praised her energy and spontaneity:
“She came in, and she went, Boom. Every take. I actually think we could have a five-hour movie from just that scene.”
Fox agreed, reflecting on the abundance of takes they did to capture the scene’s energy, with Kirby adding,
“She was just genius. She was just riffing all this stuff. My main task was to try not to laugh, because it was so funny.”
Beyond dialogue, the pair discussed the family dynamics at the core of the film, particularly between Lynette and her brother Kenny, played by Zack Gottsagen. Kirby described Gottsagen as one of her favorite actors and recalled how they bonded both on and off set. Their real-life connection translated into a genuine portrayal of sibling love and support.
Kirby also admired Gottsagen’s authenticity and presence, recognizing his natural ability to command attention without seeming performative.
“He’s got the ability of total presence,”
she said, explaining that their offscreen camaraderie contributed to the onscreen relationship’s credibility. The two actors built a strong sibling bond that continued beyond filming, with Gottsagen often calling Kirby his “little sister.”
Kirby recalled moments when fans recognized Gottsagen during their outings, highlighting his charm and the respect he commands as a beloved figure. She fondly recounted his playful confidence, quoting him saying,
Yes, yes, I am the star of The Peanut Butter Falcon — thank you very much.
and,
Do you want a signature? Do you want a picture?
—Vanessa Kirby, Actress
Vanessa Kirby Discusses Contrasting Action Approaches in Fantastic Four and Night Always Comes
Vanessa Kirby shared how her approach to action scenes changed between the superhero environment of Marvel‘s Fantastic Four and the grounded, gritty realism required for Night Always Comes. She emphasized the importance of keeping Lynette believable by avoiding unrealistic or overly stylized combat.
“In this one, it was really important that Lynette is not a superhero of any kind,”
Kirby said.
“Even if there’s a mad fight type thing, we didn’t want her to suddenly do kung-fu or be good at martial arts.”
The actress detailed her mission to portray Lynette’s physicality authentically, highlighting her character’s survival instincts and raw toughness rather than polished combat skills. Kirby explained that Lynette’s resilience had to feel plausible as the character navigates dangerous situations throughout the film’s tense night. The book itself depicts even more challenging moments than what the film shows, underscoring the intensity of Lynette’s journey.
Kirby also mentioned how Julia Fox’s personal experience and friendships with resilient women helped inform her performance. Drawing inspiration from Fox’s best friend, Harmony, who exemplifies real-life survival and strength, Kirby was able to ground her portrayal in genuine emotion and grit.
Fox, who plays Gloria, acknowledged the challenge of making her brief but pivotal whirlwind scene impactful. She stressed the importance of authentic belief in the moment, explaining,
“I cannot be a good actress if I don’t believe it, so it’s just about setting everything up so that it’s real.”
Filming in Portland and working alongside Vanessa created the right atmosphere to capture the scene’s intensity and tension.
The Meaning and Impact of Night Always Comes in Today’s Landscape
Night Always Comes stands out for its unflinching look at desperation and the lengths people go to survive when pushed to the edge. Vanessa Kirby’s dual role as producer and lead actress helped bring attention to a story that reflects realities often overlooked by mainstream cinema. By anchoring the film in genuine, flawed characters and avoiding glamorization, the production shines a light on societal responsibilities and personal courage.
Julia Fox’s unique talent for embracing chaotic dialogue and making it feel natural adds emotional texture that complements the film’s authenticity. With intimate family relationships and strong performances by Zack Gottsagen and Benjamin strengthening the core, the movie resonates as a powerful drama about survival and humanity.
Now streaming on Netflix, Night Always Comes invites viewers into a raw narrative propelled by gripping performances and heartfelt collaboration between the cast, showcasing the art of transforming intense, unhinged dialogue into something deeply real.
