Synopsis/Details
All Accolades & Coverage
Era
Present Day
Locations
Various
Genre
Drama, Crime Drama, Gangster, Mystery & Suspense, Crime Thriller, Erotic Thriller, Psychological Thriller
Logline
After an incident that leaves her beaten and nearly raped, a single mother and strip club owner seeks justice and eventually forms a bond with her girlfriends over a dark secret that they come to share.
Strengths
It's certainly an original and edgy world and the writing here strongly articulates the grit and grime of the setting. The subject matter and underlying themes of female empowerment, justice, and feminism are well thought out and timeless in these pages. Harley is an intriguing protagonist in our story. She's strong-willed and self-possessed. Someone who cuts through this slimy world and has the ability to impose her will when necessary which makes the opening sequence all the more powerful when we have to see her vulnerable and nearly raped. The plot escalates the moment we see Michael return to his family with his false story of a carjacking. And the subsequent narrative that Viviana and Harley cook up to get him back is one we're excited to see play out. The script kicks into overdrive quickly and it all builds to an intense and gruesome conclusion reminiscent of 'THE DEPARTED' leaving us on edge about how these characters are going to have to band together in the wake of these immense secrets they share. Ultimately, it's an ambitious undertaking and the dark underworld the author builds on the page for our characters makes for a satisfying and truly memorable read.
TV series potential:
It's refreshing to see multiple powerful female roles in a typically male-dominated world like this one (we need more like these!) and when the script is at its best it feels right for cable or digital platforms. Still, it feels like the story itself could benefit from further development. But with a focused rewrite, it wouldn't be a surprise for a project with gritty, solid writing to find a home in the current market.
Era
Present Day
Locations
Strip Club, Town
Genre
Drama, Crime Drama
Logline
The brutal attack of a female strip club owner triggers painful memories of her family’s past.
Strengths
There is a lot that works about QUEENS OF THE NIGHT. The pilot starts off strong with an effective cold open. Michael’s violent attack against Harley not only sets the story in motion, it ends with a compelling cliffhanger guaranteed to entice an audience into watching further. The pilot makes the purposeful decision to showcase the brutality of violence in order to display the resiliency of it’s women. This is especially true during the cold open scene, which sets the tone for the series (and it’s female protagonist) at the top of the piece. Additionally, the writer has a solid grasp on pacing and does a good job building suspense. The flashback scene involving the murder of Viviana’s parents is gripping and filled with tension, regardless of the fact that the audience already knows of it’s eventual outcome. Lastly, QUEENS OF THE NIGHT does a good job building the world of the series. The detailed setting of the club helps gift the show it’s strong point-of-view. This is enforced through this episode’s grounded, yet edgy dialogue consistent throughout the script.
TV series potential:
There is a lot that works about QUEENS OF THE NIGHT. The pilot is tonally solid and has a distinct point-of-view. A foundational plan for series will help prove sustainability to potential buyers. It would have it’s best chance at a cable and/or streaming network.