After Hours

Paul Hackett, a harried office clerk living on the Upper East Side, wants more than another dull week. He heads downtown to meet a mysterious woman he has only heard about, hoping a late night encounter will break his routine. The date quickly detours from romance into a dizzying sequence of chance meetings, hooded threats, and absurd occasions that pull him deeper into the nocturnal maze of Manhattan. What begins as a casual hook up spirals into a surreal test of nerve as bar rooms, stairways, and alleyways loop back on themselves, leaving Paul to improvise against a string of unpredictable obstacles. The city itself seems to conspire to turn one ordinary evening into something dangerously comic and strange tonight.

Directed by Martin Scorsese from Joseph Minion's original screenplay, After Hours was released in 1985. The film marks Scorsese's offbeat late night comedy thriller ride, a rare departure from his grittier urban dramas with a crisp sense of humor throughout.

The production budget stood at about 4.5 million and it grossed roughly 10.6 million in U.S. theaters, a modest taker that nonetheless supported Scorsese's quirky midnight project. Its reception on home video strengthened its cult status over time for audiences.

The film's Manhattan setting, neon glow, and relentless oddities helped carve a cult niche for late night comedies. It showcased Scorsese steering away from his crime epics toward a compact, stand-alone mood piece anchored by Dunne's frazzled performance and a string of memorable, quirky encounters and mischievous energy throughout tonight.

Critics praised its brisk energy and sharp humor and its take on urban isolation and the randomness of city life. A single night can flip between comedy and danger as chance encounters ripple outward, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and earning the film a durable cult reputation that endures.