Late Shift

Director: Petra Volpe

Screenplay: Petra Volpe

Producers: Reto Schaerli  & Lukas Hobi

Starring: Leonie Benesch (Floria), Sonja Riesen, Alireza Bayram, Selma Jamal Aldin, Margherita Schoch, Urs Bihler, Albana Agaj, Ridvan Murati, Urbain Guiguemde

Year: 2025

Country: UK

BBFC Certification: TBC

Duration: 92 mins

I had the privilege of attending a press screening for Petra Volpe’s “Late Shift” which had its UK Premiere at the inaugural SXSW London event in the first week of June 2025, and it proved to be a profoundly moving and uncomfortably realistic cinematic experience. This isn’t just a film; it’s an immersive dive into the demanding, and sometimes heartbreaking, reality of modern nursing.

The film plunges us into the late shift of Floria (Leonie Benesch), a dedicated nurse in a large Swiss hospital’s surgical ward. When an absent colleague leaves the ward severely understaffed, the relentless demands of patients, each battling their own degree of discomfort and the crushing weight of terminal diagnoses, begin to chip away at her professional stoicism. The narrative’s raw authenticity is its strength; you genuinely feel the collective angst of those confronting their mortality. Volpe’s Direction, Kaufmann’s Cinematography and Weissbrich’s  editing successfully brings you into this taut world in very short order.

Leonie Benesch’s portrayal of Floria is nothing short of revelatory. As noted by critics in a few other reviews, Benesch truly embodies the character. The camera’s close, unwavering focus on Floria pulls you into her world, making you a silent witness to every stressful situation she navigates. Her quiet diligence and profound empathy are palpable, but as the shift escalates from one crisis to the next, her composure frays, and you feel ready to crack right alongside her. It’s a performance that makes you deeply invested in her struggle.

Crucially, the film’s score is a masterclass in tension building. Its constant, nerve-shredding beat and melody amplify the mounting pressure, foreshadowing an inevitable emotional crescendo from Floria. The film’s bookends(with evocative opening and concluding shots), contextualize Floria’s journey, offering a poignant glimpse into the thankless yet inherently caring nature of her profession, as she literally carries the burdens of her work home with her.

This is a most timely film based on some contextual statistics shown before the credits -e.g. According to a PWC study there will be a shortage of around 40,000 nurses in Switzerland by 2040. The WHO estimates a shortage of around 13 million nurses worldwide by 2030. Furthermore, majority of people working in the care sector are women which raises relevant concerns around fair pay and recognition. Plus international nurse recruitment sees wealthier countries siphoning experienced nurses without compensation for training provided in their poorer countries of origin – a particularly cynical form of “neo-colonialism”.

“Late Shift,” set for UK and Irish theatrical release on August 1st, 2025, is in my opinion a powerful and topical drama that offers a vital, empathetic lens on healthcare challenges and pays a much-deserved homage to the nursing staff. It’s a gripping watch that stays with you long after the credits roll.