Midnight in the Switchgrass

{{Infobox film

| name = Midnight in the Switchgrass

| image = Midnight in the Switchgrass.png

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Randall Emmett

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Randall Emmett
George Furla
Alex Eckert
Timothy C. Sullivan

}}

| screenplay = Alan Horsnail

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

Robin Stout
Liam Westbrook

}}

| cinematography = Duane Manwiller

| editing = Colby Parker Jr.

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Emmett Furla Oasis Films
The Pimienta Film Co.
BondIt Media Capital
Verdi Productions

}}

| distributor = Lionsgate

| released = {{Film date|2021|7|23}}

| runtime = 99 minutes{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/midnight-in-the-switchgrass-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mza5oti|title=Midnight in The Switchgrass|website=British Board of Film Classification}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget =

| gross = $97,518{{cite The Numbers|id=Midnight-in-the-Switchgrass|title=Midnight in the Switchgrass|access-date=April 19, 2025}}

}}

Midnight in the Switchgrass is a 2021 American crime thriller film directed by Randall Emmett in his directorial debut from a screenplay by Alan Horsnail. It stars Megan Fox, Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch, Lukas Haas, Colson "MGK" Baker and Lydia Hull.

It was released in limited theaters and video-on-demand on July 23, 2021, by Lionsgate and was critically panned upon release.

Plot

Based on the true story of Texas's most dangerous serial killer, the film has the dramatization translocated to Florida. FBI Agent Karl Helter and his partner, Rebecca Lombardo, are very close to busting a sex trafficking ring. When they realize their investigation has crossed the path of a brutal serial killer, they team up with Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Byron Crawford, who has worked for years on the case. When Rebecca herself is abducted by their target and her life hangs in the balance, Byron, without asking for assistance from fellow law enforcement agents, has precious few hours to piece together the last clues and to put an end to the infamous "Truck Stop Killer".

Peter Hillborough lives happily with his wife and daughter in a one-family house. At a gas station, he pretends to want to help a young woman (Tracey Lee) who has been sedated by a man.

He takes her with him in his truck and locks her up in his garden shed. Hillborough meets Lombardo in a bar, adds knockout drops to her drink and also locks her in his garden shed. Lombardo encourages Lee to try to escape, who finds refuge with a neighbor, Georgia Kellogg. Crawford reviews the camera footage from a gas station and comes to the conclusion that Hillborough is the suspect and arrives there in time.

Cast

Megan Fox as Rebecca Lombardo
Bruce Willis as Karl Helter
Emile Hirsch as Byron Crawford
Lukas Haas as Peter Hillborough
Colson Baker as Calvin
Sistine Stallone as Heather
Michael Beach as Detective Yarbrough
Caitlin Carmichael as Tracey Lee
Alec Monopoly as Suspect / Tall Man
Welker White as Ms. Georgia Kellogg
Jackie Cruz as Suzanna

Production

On January 22, 2020, it was announced that film producer Randall Emmett would make his directorial debut on the film, with Emile Hirsch set to star.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/producer-randall-emmett-directorial-debut-midnight-in-the-switchgrass-emile-hirsch-1202838000/|title=Producer Randall Emmett Making Directorial Debut On 'Midnight In The Switchgrass'; Emile Hirsch To Star|first1=Mike Jr.|last1=Fleming|date=January 22, 2020}} Megan Fox and Bruce Willis were cast on February 16, with filming beginning on March 9 in Pensacola, Florida.{{Cite web|last1=Wiseman|first1=Andreas|date=February 16, 2020|title=Megan Fox & Bruce Willis Join Randall Emmett's Directorial Debut 'Midnight In The Switchgrass', Highland To Sell At EFM|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/megan-fox-bruce-willis-join-randall-emmett-directorial-debut-midnight-the-switchgrass-1202860960/}}

On March 12, 2020, Lukas Haas, Colson Baker, Sistine Stallone, Caitlin Carmichael, Michael Beach, Welker White, Alec Monopoly, and Jackie Cruz joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/machine-gun-kelly-lukas-haas-join-randall-emmett-helmed-midnight-in-the-switchgrass-1202881369/|title=Machine Gun Kelly, Lukas Haas, Sistine Stallone Join Randall Emmett-Helmed 'Midnight In The Switchgrass'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 12, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B9u6tAYn5VE/|title=💲Acting in my first movie with the incredibly talented @emilehirsch 💲Happy Bday Bro!💲 @randallemmettfilms @meganfox @dobledebruce @machinegunkelly @lukashaas 💲 This movie is legendary!!!💲|website=Instagram|first=Alec|last=Monopoly|date=March 15, 2020|access-date=March 16, 2020}}{{cite web|url= https://www.instagram.com/p/CB30AirnqX6/?igshid=7zr90mzl1js3|title= This was four months ago before I started my journey of directing my first film! 8 days and we head back to finish what we started!!!! @meganfox @machinegunkelly @reallycaitlinxox @emilehirsch @lukashaas @alexeckert @teemboslice @jackiecruz|website=Instagram|first=Randall|last=Emmett|date=June 25, 2020|access-date=June 26, 2020}}

On March 16, production on the film was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/midnight-in-the-switchgrass-postpone-coronavirus-puerto-rico-shoot-megan-fox-emile-hirsch-bruce-willis-machine-gun-kelly-randall-emmett-1202884454/|title=Indie 'Midnight In The Switchgrass' Postpones Puerto Rico Shoot Over Coronavirus Scare|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=March 16, 2020}} Production on the film resumed on June 29.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/bruce-willis-three-picture-deal-emmett-furla-the-killing-fields-to-be-sold-at-virtual-cannes-1202955770/|title=Bruce Willis Makes New 3-Pic Deal With Emmett/Furla; 'Killing Field' To Be Offered At Virtual Cannes|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=June 18, 2020}}

Release

Midnight in the Switchgrass had its world premiere on June 13, 2021, at the Tampa Theatre, where it was the closing night film of the Gasparilla International Film Festival. In attendance were Randall Emmett, Alan Horsnail, Timothy C. Sullivan, Lukas Haas, Emile Hirsch, Caitlin Carmichael, and Katalina Viteri. The screening was followed by a 40-minute Q & A moderated by Tyler Martinolich.{{cite web|url=https://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/film-tv/article/21152878/tampas-2021-gasparilla-international-film-festival-finally-returns-to-theaters-next-week|title=Tampa's 2021 Gasparilla International Film Festival finally returns to theaters next week|last=|first=|date=|website=CL Tampa|access-date=July 27, 2021}}

The film was later released in limited theaters and VOD on July 23, 2021, by Lionsgate.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/megan-fox-and-colson-baker-aka-machine-gun-kelly-thrill-in-midnight-in-the-switchgrass-trailer|title=Megan Fox and Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) Thrill in 'Midnight in the Switchgrass' Trailer (Exclusive)|website=Entertainment Tonight|first=John|last=Boone|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=June 9, 2021}} Megan Fox did not attend the film's Los Angeles premiere and cited concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Machine Gun Kelly did not respond, but on Twitter, he mentioned that he does not talk about a movie if it is trash.{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/machine-gun-kelly-seemingly-shades-midnight-in-the-switchgrass-2/|title=Trash! Machine Gun Kelly Seemingly Shades His and Megan Fox's New Movie 'Midnight in the Switchgrass'|last=|first=|date=23 July 2021|website=US Magazine|access-date=July 23, 2021}} In response, Emile Hirsch posted a screenshot of Machine Gun Kelly's tweet on Instagram and stated, "We definitely disagree here, Colson![Machine Gun Kelly] Nothing but respect to you guys though - especially because you and Megan are so f#*king great in this movie."{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/26/entertainment/machine-gun-kelly-midnight-in-the-switchgrass/index.html|title=Machine Gun Kelly posts cryptic tweet about his new movie 'Midnight in the Switchgrass'|last=|first=|date=26 July 2021|website=CNN|access-date=July 27, 2021}}

=Box office=

As of April 18, 2025, Midnight in the Switchgrass grossed $97,518 in Portugal and Russia, plus $653,505 in home video sales.

Reception

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|8|3.4|38|consensus=Dull and predictable, Midnight in the Switchgrass squanders an evocative setting and some committed performances on a would-be thriller that rarely raises a sweat.|ref=yes|access-date=March 2, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|24|9|ref=yes|access-date=March 2, 2025}}

Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth said that "the fact that Midnight in the Switchgrass is an all-around terrible movie comes as no surprise, but there is a sting since for star Megan Fox, it's coming off a career-best and physically impressive performance in Till Death."{{cite web |date=21 July 2021 |author=Robert Kojder |title=Movie Review - Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021) |url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2021/07/movie-review-midnight-in-the-switchgrass-2021/ |website=Flickering Myth }} Jackie K. Cooper rated the film 5 out of 10 saying that "Megan Fox steals the show while Bruce Willis is missing in action."{{cite AV media |people=Jackie K. Cooper |date=July 17, 2021 |title=Movie Review of Midnight in the Switchgrass {{!}} Entertainment Rundown |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4nCbv1mf_o&t=17s|access-date=August 16, 2021 |via= YouTube }}

In his review for The New York Times, Ben Kenigsberg said that "the atmosphere is thoroughly sleazy without being distinctive, and everything about the movie - the emotionless line readings, the half-baked back stories - exudes a terse functionality."{{cite web |date=22 July 2021 |last=Kenigsberg |first=Ben |title='Midnight in the Switchgrass' Review: Sordid and Derivative |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/22/movies/midnight-in-the-switchgrass-review.html |website=The New York Times}}

Waldemar Dalenogare Neto rated the film 2 out of 10 and stated that it is one of the "most generic thrillers of the year (...) I really don't know yet what the purpose of this film is other than the fact that it tries to profit from Megan Fox's image and Bruce Willis."{{cite AV media |people= |date= July 22, 2021|title=Midnight in the Switchgrass - Crítica: o "imperador dos filmes B" estreia como diretor|trans-title= Midnight in the Switchgrass - Review: "emperor of the B movies" makes director debut |language=portuguese|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GapyG2oZdg&feature=youtu.be|access-date= July 22, 2021 |location=Brazil|publisher=Waldemar Dalenogare Neto (YouTube) }} In a positive review for the San Jose Mercury News, Randy Myers said that "it's worth a watch if you like serial killer thrillers but don't expect to see anything revolutionary going on."{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/21/new-movies-joe-bell-means-well-mandibles-is-crazy-fun/|title=New movies: 'Joe Bell' means well; 'Mandibles' is crazy fun|last=|first=|date=21 July 2021|website=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=July 27, 2021}}

Jesse Hassenger was less complimentary in his review for Paste Magazine by saying that it looks like the filmmakers are trying to punish Megan Fox for her performance in Till Death, and he concluded, "It's entirely because of Fox that Switchgrass stays compelling far longer than it should, raising vain hopes that she'll be able to work it into something pulpier and more defined. Despite the eventual disappointment, I hope she sticks with genre fare a bit longer, and finds some more shackles to break."{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/megan-fox-vindication-till-death-midnight-switchgrass/|title=Megan Fox's Evolving, Pulpy Stardom Dominates Till Death and Midnight in the Switchgrass|author=Jesse Hassenger|date=22 July 2021|website=Paste Magazine|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=1 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101160825/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/megan-fox-vindication-till-death-midnight-switchgrass/|url-status=dead}}

Accolades

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Award

! Category

! Nominee(s)

! Result

! Ref.

rowspan="2"| {{center|2022}}

| rowspan="2"| Golden Raspberry Awards

| Worst Actress

| Megan Fox

| {{Nominated}}

| rowspan="2" align="center"| {{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/razzies-2022-nominations-list-nominees-1235088052/|title=Razzies: Filmed Version of 'Diana' Stage Musical Tops 2022 Nominees|first=Hilary|last=Lewis|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 7, 2022|accessdate=February 7, 2022}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/razzie-awards-rescind-bruce-willis-award-shelley-duvall-nomination/|title=Razzie Awards Backtrack, Rescind Bruce Willis Award – and Shelly Duvall Nomination as Well|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|work=The Wrap|date=March 31, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}

Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie

| Bruce Willis

| {{Nominated}} [Rescinded]{{efn|Following Willis' aphasia diagnosis in March 2022, the category and its nominations were rescinded by the Golden Raspberry Foundation.}}