Benjamin Caron, the Midlands-born director known for his work on The Crown and Andor, reunites with Vanessa Kirby for the Netflix thriller Night Always Comes. The film, adapted from Willy Vlautin's novel, follows Lynette, a former sex worker struggling to keep her home while working multiple jobs and caring for her disabled brother and wayward mother.
Caron cites the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems and Good Time as influences on the film's breakneck pace. He sees the story as part of a wave of neo-realism reflecting the cost of living crisis. 'The idea that you can work three jobs and still not be able to afford your own home is a universal modern tragedy,' he says.
Kirby, who played Princess Margaret in The Crown, stars as Lynette, a role that requires her to lie, steal and fight to survive. Caron praises her unpredictable energy, saying, 'There's no safety net with her, no filter.' He acknowledges the casting might raise eyebrows given Kirby's background, but argues actors must avoid being pigeonholed.
Caron also reflects on the risks involved in his previous projects, including The Crown and Andor. 'There was a moment before The Crown went out where we were all like: “Is anyone going to watch this?”' he recalls. He believes his lack of reverence for the Star Wars universe helped make Andor successful.
