The Night Clerk is a psychological thriller film directed by Michael Cristofer and released in 2020. The movie follows the story of Bart Bromley, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome who works as a night clerk at a hotel. Throughout the film, Bart becomes entangled in a murder investigation, and the ending leaves viewers with a sense of ambiguity and intrigue.

The film begins by introducing Bart Bromley, played by Tye Sheridan, as a socially awkward young man who struggles with communication and social interactions due to his Asperger’s syndrome. Bart works as a night clerk at a hotel, where he secretly installs hidden cameras in the rooms to observe the guests. His intention is not to invade their privacy but rather to study their behavior and learn how to interact with people more effectively.

One night, Bart witnesses a woman named Karen Munroe, played by Jacque Gray, being murdered in one of the hotel rooms. Panicked and unsure of what to do, Bart hides in a closet and watches the murder unfold through the surveillance cameras. The next morning, the police arrive to investigate the crime, led by Detective Espada, played by John Leguizamo.

Detective Espada becomes suspicious of Bart due to his odd behavior and lack of social skills. He starts questioning Bart, who becomes increasingly anxious and defensive. Bart’s only ally is Andrea Rivera, played by Ana de Armas, a hotel guest who befriends him and believes in his innocence.

As the investigation progresses, Bart’s involvement becomes more complicated. He discovers that the murderer is a man named Nick Perretti, played by Johnathon Schaech, who is also a guest at the hotel. Bart becomes obsessed with finding evidence to prove Nick’s guilt and clear his own name.

Throughout the film, Bart’s interactions with Andrea become more intimate, and they develop a romantic connection. Andrea is understanding and patient with Bart’s social difficulties, and their relationship provides him with a sense of comfort and acceptance.

As the climax of the film approaches, Bart manages to gather enough evidence to expose Nick as the murderer. However, in a twist of events, it is revealed that Nick is an undercover police officer working on a sting operation. He was investigating Karen Munroe, who was involved in a prostitution ring, and her murder was part of a larger criminal conspiracy.

This revelation shocks Bart and the audience, as it completely changes the dynamics of the story. Bart’s obsession with finding the truth and proving his innocence suddenly becomes irrelevant, as the murder was not what it initially seemed.

In the final scenes of the movie, Bart confronts Nick about his true identity and the events that unfolded. Nick reveals that he knew Bart was watching through the surveillance cameras and used his Asperger’s syndrome to his advantage. He manipulated Bart into gathering evidence against him, knowing that Bart’s social difficulties would make him an easy target.

Feeling betrayed and manipulated, Bart decides to take matters into his own hands. He confronts Nick in a tense and suspenseful confrontation, leading to a struggle between the two. In the end, Bart manages to overpower Nick and subdue him.

The film concludes with Bart being hailed as a hero for his bravery in apprehending the murderer. However, the ending leaves viewers with a sense of ambiguity and unanswered questions. Bart’s actions throughout the film were driven by his desire to prove his innocence and find justice, but in the end, his efforts were in vain.

The Night Clerk is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of trust, manipulation, and the complexities of human behavior. The ending leaves viewers questioning the true nature of the characters and the extent to which they can trust their own perceptions.

In conclusion, The Night Clerk is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The ending, although unexpected, adds an extra layer of intrigue and leaves audiences pondering the true motives and intentions of the characters. With its strong performances and compelling storyline, The Night Clerk is a must-watch for fans of the genre.