Open 24 Hours (2018) – Isolation, Paranoia, and Slasher Shock
Open 24 Hours, written and directed by Padraig Reynolds, is an indie horror‑slasher that skilfully blends psychological dread with sudden, brutal violence. Set almost entirely during a single night shift at a remote gas station, the film centers on Mary, a young woman recently released from a psychiatric facility after setting her serial‑killer boyfriend on fire. She accepts a job working the graveyard shift at “Deer Gas Market,” hoping the quiet routine will help her rebuild her life.
Mary is haunted by memories and hallucinations of her abusive ex, nicknamed the “Rain Ripper,” a tormentor who would call her from prison whenever it rained, play his favorite song, and force her to watch horrific murders—crimes she was powerless to stop. Though he is incarcerated, Mary’s trauma follows her. The isolation of late night traffic, the oppressive silence, and the lingering rain evoke her fear as she tries to stay sane.
The atmosphere is built gradually. Early on, Mary is visited by her childhood friend Debbie and trained by coworker Bobby. When Debbie is later attacked in the rain by a mysterious hooded figure wielding a hammer, the lines between Mary’s fragile perception and external danger begin to blur. As strange calls come in asking when the station closes, and hallucinations grow more vivid, the viewer questions: is Mary being stalked by an escaped killer, or is her paranoia consuming her?
The film’s strength lies in its blending of psychological suspense and slasher horror. Mary’s mental instability is never treated superficially—her fear feels lived in, rooted in post‑traumatic stress. Vanessa Grasse delivers a solid performance as Mary, evolving believably from fearful and apologetic to fierce survivor. Brendan Fletcher as Bobby provides an emotional tether for her, someone viewers want to see survive. The hooded killer, portrayed with quiet menace, becomes the physical embodiment of Mary’s trauma.
Visually, the film benefits from strong cinematography. Shadows, rain‑slick surfaces, and flickering store lights turn the gas station into a haunted labyrinth—and the unusually roomy restroom serves as a symbolic space for Mary’s disorientation. The look and feel elevate the film beyond low‑budget trappings, making it aesthetically arresting despite its single location.
Pacing is deliberate; tension builds slowly, with gore reserved for the mid and late sections. When violence erupts, it is sudden, bloody, and effective—an intentional contrast to the slow psychological unraveling. The final sequence is abrupt and ambiguous, raising questions about what really happened and where reality ended.
Critics and fans have offered mixed reactions. Some praise its atmosphere, strong central performance, and tense buildup—a modern small‑scale slasher with emotional depth. Others criticize the plot's loose logic, convenient coincidences, and an ending that feels forced or confusing. Reddit reviews reflect this divide: some viewers consider it a hidden gem that exceeded expectations, while others call it flawed and frustrating.
In conclusion, Open 24 Hours is a tense and unsettling film about trauma, isolation, and the dangers of a fragile mind in a harsh environment. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s well-crafted and occasionally powerful. With minimal resources, Padraig Reynolds has created a horror experience that lingers in the psyche—especially for those drawn to psychological hauntings tempered by slasher brutality.
