Brazilian erotic thriller Night Stage (Ato Noturno) premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 14, 2025 and attracted everyone's attention. Directed by Filipe Matzenbacher and Marcio Riolan, the film mixes romance, thriller, and drama genres to provide a bold experience. Gabriel Farias, Cirillo Luna, Henrique Barreira, and Ivo Muller play the lead roles. Produced under the banners of Avante Films and Vulcana Cinema, the film is 1 hour and 59 minutes long and is available for Telugu audiences with Portuguese subtitles. How is this movie? Let's watch a real review in Telugu!
What is the story?
The story of Night Stage revolves around an actor named Matias (Gabriel Farias) and a politician (Cirillo Luna). The two fall in love secretly, but their relationship is anything but ordinary! Participating in risky encounters in public places becomes a thrilling fetish for them. As their fame and political ambitions grow, so do their risks. How will this dangerous love affair affect their careers and personal lives? Will their secret be revealed? What are the political and social dynamics behind this relationship? That is the story of the film.
What is the film like?
Night Stage starts with a bold vibe from the very beginning. As an erotic thriller, dealing with topics like sexuality, risk, and ambition, the first half of the film really captivates. Directors Philippe Matzenbacher and Marcio Riolan push the boundaries by showing the erotic scenes that take place in public spaces in a raw, unfiltered way. These scenes give the film an electric energy. The way it celebrates queer romance in an open and sensitive way is especially impressive. The cinematography is super stylish—the Brazilian nightlife, neon lights, and club scenes are all a feast for the eyes. The sound design and background score capture the mood of the film perfectly.
However, the film slows down a bit in the second half. There are some gaps in the script—some characters in particular feel underdeveloped. For example, the character of Matias’ roommate Fabio, who initially seems interesting, is then completely sidelined, which is disappointing. The climax also doesn’t seem that impactful. The fact that Matias’ acting skills are not convincing is a minus. The film fails to delve deeply into the core point it wanted to convey—‘How much risk will you take for your name and fame?’—and the balance between the romance and thriller elements is off at times, which makes the story feel a bit disconnected.
Actors and Technical Team
Gabriel Farias does a great job as Matias. His boldness and confidence in the erotic scenes are truly impressive. His screen presence is a big plus for the film. Cirillo Luna does a good job as the politician, but his character lacks emotional depth, which is a bit disappointing. In the supporting cast, Henrique Barreira and Ivo Muller are okay in their roles, but their roles are very limited and they don’t have a chance to shine.
Technically speaking, the film’s visuals are top notch! The cinematography is super stylish, especially in the night scenes where the neon lights and color tones are eye-catching. The sound design and background score carry the seductive mood of the film perfectly. However, the songs are not very memorable, and although there are one or two songs, they do not add much to the film. While the editing is fast and crisp in the first half, some scenes in the second half feel unnecessarily long.
Highlights
Bold, energetic erotic scenes
Stylish cinematography, Brazilian nightlife vibe
Gabriel Farias' daring performance
Queer romance is sensitively portrayed
Cons
Gaps in the script, weak thriller elements
Slow, disconnected story in the second half
Lack of scope for supporting characters
Climax not that impactful
Who should watch it?
Night Stage offers a new experience for those who like bold erotic thrillers and queer romance. Those who watch arthouse films and film festival type movies will like this film visually and stylistically. However, those who expect a tight screenplay and gripping thriller will be a bit disappointed. Due to the explicit scenes in the film, it is not suitable for family audiences. Telugu audiences can watch it at festival screenings or on international OTT platforms with subtitles. The film is not yet released on OTT, but it will be available soon.
Rating: 2.75/5
Night Stage starts as a bold, stylish erotic thriller and impresses with its visuals and energy. Gabriel Farias' performance and excellent cinematography lift the film. However, the film could not create a full impact due to the flaws in the script and the missing emotional connection. This film will give a different experience to those who want to try bold films and new genres. Festival film lovers can watch it once!
Streaming: Coming soon to international OTT platforms
Release date: February 14, 2025 (Berlin Film Festival)
Cast: Gabriel Farias, Cirillo Luna, Henrique Barreira, Ivo Müller
Director: Filipe Matze