Nearly two decades removed, Josh Hartnett's cult horror film 30 days of night may honestly be one of the most underrated films in the entire vampire genre. Following his roles in films such as Oppenheimer and M. Night Shyamalan TrapIt looks like Josh Hartnett is enjoying a renaissance, even though he's been working steadily for nearly three decades. Given that Hartnett's fame is greater than it has been since the early 2000s, it's worth remembering some of his more underrated projects.
Throughout his career, Josh Hartnett has had some fantastic horror movies and shows, some being classics in their own right. Some feel a little underappreciated, including The College and Halloween H20: 20 years laterwhich is one of the best films in the Halloween franchise. Beside them, 30 days of night is another underrated horror film of his that has become a cult favorite in the vampire genre.
30 Days of Night was critically panned
Released on October 19, 2007, 30 days of night received less than stellar reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 30 days of night it currently has a critical rating of 50% and an audience rating of 56%, which is not good on either count. Some common criticisms of the film include characters lacking depth, some uneven execution, and the feeling that it didn't fully utilize the premise it established. Even so, the lukewarm reviews from critics and the public did not stop 30 days of night of gaining a cult following over the years.
In terms of box office, 30 days of night could be seen as a modest financial success. The film grossed $80 million on a $30 million budget, and its post-theatrical life on home video grossed another $28 million. Despite earning decent money, 30 days of night it never really became a massive franchise, with a handful of low-budget TV projects acting as sequels. Still, financial success meant there was always an audience for the film in some form.
Why 30 Days of Night Deserves So Much More Credit
While 30 days of night may not have been a mega-hit at the time of its release, it deserves much more credit as a very good horror film in its own right. In fact, it could very well be considered one of the most underrated vampire films of all time. What helps 30 days of night Standing out in the genre is its premise and setting. When Barrow, Alaska begins its 30-day (sunless) polar night, it is taken over by vampires, setting the stage for a cold, dark and bleak film, tense and charged with atmosphere.
Few vampire films take advantage of a setting that allows the vampires to leave the house, and thankfully 30 Days of Night leans into that idea.
Along with the stellar premise, the cast is very good, highlighted by Josh Hartnett's performance as Sheriff Eben Oleson, the film's main character. 30 days of night It's a dark film, and Hartnett really sells the dread everyone must be feeling under the circumstances. Few vampire films take advantage of a setting that allows the vampires to leave the house, and thankfully, 30 days of night leans into this idea, never letting up on the tension throughout the film.
30 Days of Night Really Has a Future, Fortunately
While 30 days of night It wasn't the mega-hit it should have been, there were two TV shows and a TV movie included as part of the franchise, but nothing substantial as no other theatrical films were made. For years it seemed 30 days of night would just be a product of its time, but recent news suggests there's still some life left in the franchise. In October 2024, it was announced that 30 days of night would receive another official sequel, this time in comic book format.
Given that the original 30 days of night film was its own adaptation of the comic book miniseries of the same name, published by IDW Publishing, it makes sense that they would eventually revisit it, this time making a sequel to the film instead of the numerous comic book sequels they already did to the original miniseries. Entitled 30 days of night: setting sunis just one title in a new initiative from IDW Publishing that will see comic books for a variety of film and TV franchises, including A peaceful place, Smileand The Twilight Zone.
30 days of night is painfully underrated as a vampire film, but it deserves to be remembered fondly. With Josh Hartnett enjoying a career resurgence, who knows if there will ever be another movie sequel to 30 days of nightalthough the ending leaves little room for Hartnett's return. Still, it's definitely worth watching and deserves its place alongside some of the best films in the vampire genre.