Where to Watch in
Subscription
Plot
In the aftermath of World War II, the city of London is a mix of hope and despair. Viv Pearce, a young woman running a dating bureau alongside Helen Giniver, finds herself entwined in a romantic liaison with Reggie. Her life is further complicated by her younger brother, Duncan, a gay man forced to bear the shame of his orientation, recently released from prison and sought after by Robert Fraser, his former cellmate. Fraser, a conscientious objector during the war, is deeply concerned about Duncan's well-being.
The drama thickens when Viv crosses paths with Kay Langrish, a wealthy, reclusive lesbian leading a life of solitude. Their interaction stirs a whirlpool of memories from three years ago, a time when Kay, a brave ambulance driver, was in a passionate relationship with Helen. This was before Helen was introduced to the older and more refined authoress, Julia Standing, Kay's former lover.
Meanwhile, Viv and Reggie find themselves in desperate need of a clandestine abortionist, leading to a near-death experience for Viv. Abandoned by Reggie, she is saved from prosecution by Kay, who claims Viv miscarried as a married woman. The narrative then gracefully rewinds to 1941, revealing a time when Kay and Julia were romantically involved, and Viv first met Reggie, an unhappily married soldier.
In these troubled times, Kay rescues Helen from the debris of a bombed building, discovering in her the pure and innocent love she has always yearned for. The plot thickens as we learn of Duncan's prison sentence, a result of a failed suicide pact made with his young lover, a tragic response to the war and the draft.
As the narrative circles back to 1947, there are moments of joy and optimism, while others are left to navigate through their unresolved past. The characters are poised on the brink of their future, ready to move forward, each carrying their own burdens, desires, and hopes in the heart of post-war London.
Where to watch The Night Watch?
The Night Watch is a drama movie featuring Anna Maxwell Martin.
The Night Watch is currently streaming on Hoopla.