New Trailers: Late Shift (2025) by Petra Biondina Volpe

Late Shift (2025) by Petra Biondina Volpe: A Tense and Emotive Tribute to Nurses

Swiss director Petra Biondina Volpe, celebrated for her impactful dramas like The Divine Order, delivers a gripping and timely film with Late Shift (original German title: Heldin, meaning "Heroine"). Premiering at the Berlinale 2025 in February,

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32204858/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/late-shift-review-1236310901/

About movie: https://trustnordisk.com/movie/late-shift

Release Date on Streaming

A specific streaming release date for Late Shift has not been announced. Streaming availability will likely follow its theatrical and festival runs in various territories, as distribution deals are finalized.

Theatrical Release

Late Shift had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on February 17, 2025, as part of the Berlinale Special Gala.

Its German theatrical release was on February 27, 2025. It is rolling out in other international territories throughout 2025.

Detailed Summary

Late Shift follows Floria (Leonie Benesch), a highly dedicated and professional nurse working tirelessly on a surgical ward in a Swiss hospital. Despite her unwavering commitment and the warmth she brings to patient care, her shift is severely understaffed. The film plunges the audience into the relentless, high-pressure environment of the hospital as Floria navigates the constant demands of her job.

What begins as a demanding but routine "late shift" (evening/night shift) quickly transforms into a gripping race against time. Floria juggles multiple responsibilities, attending to a seriously ill mother, an old man urgently awaiting a diagnosis, and a demanding private patient, all while mentoring a shadowing student. The film emphasizes the sheer physical and mental toll of her work, showcasing the non-stop chaos, constant interruptions, and the life-or-death stakes involved in every decision.

The narrative intensifies when Floria makes a critical error, threatening to send the already strained shift completely off the rails. This mistake initiates a nerve-wracking race against time, as Floria tries to rectify the situation while continuing to manage her demanding patient load and the escalating pressures of the ward. The film is a visceral, almost documentary-style portrayal of the daily heroism performed by nurses, and an urgent commentary on the global nursing shortage and the immense pressure placed on healthcare professionals. It aims to immerse the viewer in Floria's experience, making them feel the stress and chaos of the job, culminating in a riveting and dramatic climax.

Plot Summary

Floria, a dedicated nurse, navigates a severely understaffed surgical ward during a relentless late shift. As she tirelessly cares for numerous patients amidst chaotic demands, a critical mistake sets off a desperate race against time, pushing her to her limits and highlighting the immense pressures faced by healthcare professionals.

Director's Vision

Petra Biondina Volpe's vision for Late Shift is to create an intimate, intense, and riveting drama that serves as a "declaration of love for the nursing profession" while also acting as an "urgent call" to address the global nursing shortage. Inspired by the real-life challenges faced by nurses, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic (though not directly addressed in the film), Volpe aimed for an authentic and immersive portrayal. She uses a kinetic directorial style, employing long, handheld takes and extensive tracking shots by cinematographer Judith Kaufmann to keep the audience constantly in Floria's shoes, mirroring the continuous momentum and chaos of the job. Volpe wants to immerse the audience in the "impossibly paced world of duty, responsibilities and procedures where mistakes often come at a lethal cost," ultimately fostering "undiluted empathy for the over-stretched, under-valued nursing profession."

Themes

• Healthcare Crisis and Nursing Shortage: The film directly addresses the systemic issue of understaffed hospitals and the toll it takes on healthcare workers and patient care.

• Heroism of Everyday Work: It highlights the dedication, resilience, and often unacknowledged heroic efforts of nurses in demanding environments.

• Pressure and Stress: The film viscerally portrays the immense physical and psychological pressure faced by nurses, leading to a race against time.

• Empathy and Human Connection: Despite the hectic pace, Floria's unwavering humanity and warmth towards her patients underscore the vital human element in healthcare.

• Moral Dilemmas: The consequences of mistakes made under extreme pressure and the ethical challenges of a strained healthcare system.

Key Success Factors

• Timeliness and Relevance: The film tackles a highly topical and critical issue – the global nursing shortage and the challenges in healthcare – making it resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.

• Leonie Benesch's Performance: Following her powerhouse role in The Teacher's Lounge, Benesch's portrayal of Floria is consistently praised as extraordinary, carrying the film with her physical and emotional intensity.

• Immersive Cinematography: Judith Kaufmann's camera work is lauded for its ability to put the audience directly into Floria's perspective, creating a sense of continuous momentum and stress.

• Humanistic Approach: Despite the tense atmosphere, the film maintains a strong humanistic core, focusing on the empathy and dedication of its protagonist.

• Strong Festival Presence: Its selection for the Berlinale Special Gala and other international film festivals signals its quality and appeal.

Cast

• Leonie Benesch as Floria Lind

• Sonja Riesen as Bea Schmid

• Alireza Bayram as Jan Sharif

• Selma Jamal Aldin as Amelie Afshar

• Urs Bihler as Herr Leu

• Margherita Schoch as Frau Kuhn

• Jürg Plüss as Herr Severin

• Doris Schefer as Pascale Schneider

• Ali Kandaş as Nabil Bilgin

Awards and Nominations

Late Shift premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in February 2025 as part of the Berlinale Special Gala section. While it has not yet won specific major competitive awards (like a Golden Bear), its selection for such a prestigious section and the strong critical reception indicate its high regard.

Critics Reception

Critics have highly praised Late Shift for its intensity, realism, and the powerful performance by Leonie Benesch.

• The Hollywood Reporter: Described it as a "gripping drama" revolving around an "extraordinary Leonie Benesch as an overworked and tireless nurse."

• Cineuropa: Noted that the film "employs all of the tools of a solid (humanistic) thriller to immerse the viewer in an impossibly paced world of duty, responsibilities and procedures where mistakes often come at a lethal cost." 1  They also highlighted its "urgently accurate representation of social issues."   

• ScreenDaily: Called it a "taut drama" that lays "bare the hidden costs of a global nurse shortage," praising its "heart-gripping intensity."

• Reviewers often compared its non-stop chaos to films like Uncut Gems or Birdman, but with the higher stakes of a clinical setting.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics have overwhelmingly lauded Late Shift as a taut, immersive, and deeply empathetic drama. They highlighted Leonie Benesch's tour-de-force performance and Petra Biondina Volpe's masterful direction and script for realistically portraying the immense pressures on nurses and the wider healthcare crisis.

Reviews

Audience reviews for Late Shift are beginning to emerge following its festival screenings and early theatrical releases. Viewers generally find the film to be incredibly tense and emotionally resonant, prompting discussions about the vital work of nurses and the challenges facing healthcare systems globally. Many are particularly affected by the immersive nature of the filmmaking, feeling the stress alongside Floria.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that Late Shift is a highly effective and emotionally impactful film that resonates with audiences by realistically portraying the demanding lives of nurses and shedding light on critical healthcare issues.

Production

• Director: Petra Biondina Volpe

• Writer: Petra Biondina Volpe

• Producers: Reto Schaerli, Lukas Hobi (for Zodiac Pictures), Bastie Griese (co-producer)

• Cinematography: Judith Kaufmann

• Editing: Hansjörg Weißbrich

• Music by: Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch

• Production Companies: Zodiac Pictures (Switzerland), MMC Zodiac (Germany), Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), SRG SSR

• Production Countries: Switzerland, Germany

• Language: German (Swiss-German dialect), Turkish, French

• Running Time: 92 minutes (1 hour 32 minutes)

• Budget: Approximately EUR 3.7 million

• Filming Locations: Zürich, Switzerland

Sales Companies

• TrustNordisk (International Sales)

Distribution Companies

• Tobis Film GmbH (Germany, Austria)

• Filmcoopi Zürich AG (Switzerland)

• Wild Bunch Distribution (France)

• Karma Films (Spain)

• September Film (Benelux: Netherlands/Belgium/Luxembourg)

• Bim Distribuzione (Italy)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Powerful and Timely Message: It offers an urgent and empathetic look into the realities of the global nursing shortage and the immense pressure on healthcare workers.

• Tour-de-Force Performance: Leonie Benesch delivers an extraordinary and physically demanding portrayal that anchors the film.

• Immersive Filmmaking: The direction and cinematography put the audience directly into the high-stress environment, creating a visceral experience.

• Humanistic Storytelling: Despite the tension, the film maintains a deep sense of humanity, celebrating the dedication of nurses.

• Critically Acclaimed: Its Berlinale premiere and strong reviews position it as a significant and impactful drama.

Why to Watch Movie

• To Gain Insight into Healthcare: For a realistic and non-stereotypical portrayal of hospital life and the challenges faced by medical staff.

• For an Intense Cinematic Experience: If you enjoy tense, real-time-feeling dramas that keep you on the edge of your seat.

• To See a Standout Performance: Leonie Benesch's work is a must-see.

• To Support Socially Relevant Cinema: The film serves as a potent commentary on an important societal issue.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

Late Shift aligns with the trend of "Social Issue Dramas" that use a focused, personal story to shed light on broader systemic problems (e.g., The Teacher's Lounge, which also starred Benesch). It also fits into the subgenre of "Real-Time Thrillers" or "High-Stakes Single-Day Dramas" that build suspense through continuous, unfolding events.

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film directly engages with the critical social trend of the "Global Healthcare Crisis" and the "Shortage of Medical Professionals," highlighting the human cost of systemic underfunding and overwhelming demand. It also speaks to the growing societal recognition and appreciation for the "Essential Work of Frontline Workers", particularly in the wake of recent global health events.

Final Verdict

Late Shift is a vital and intensely gripping drama that stands as a powerful tribute to the nursing profession. Petra Biondina Volpe's masterful direction, combined with Leonie Benesch's extraordinary performance, creates an immersive and often suffocating portrayal of an understaffed surgical ward. It's a film that not only entertains with its escalating tension but also profoundly moves and educates, serving as an urgent call to acknowledge and address the challenges faced by healthcare workers worldwide. For anyone seeking a powerful, relevant, and emotionally resonant cinematic experience, Late Shift is an absolute must-watch.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Focus on Real-World Issues: Embrace contemporary social problems as fertile ground for compelling, character-driven narratives.

• Immersive Storytelling: Experiment with cinematic techniques (like long takes, handheld camera, and sound design) to put the audience directly into the protagonist's lived experience.

• Character-Centric Approach: Even within a genre framework (like a thriller), prioritize deeply fleshed-out characters whose emotional journey resonates with the audience.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Socially Relevant Cinema: Continue to invest in films that shed light on critical social issues, fostering public awareness and discussion.

• Promote International Independent Cinema: Recognize and distribute high-quality, thought-provoking films from diverse national cinemas, as they often bring unique perspectives and storytelling.

• Champion Strong Female Leads: Showcase films that feature complex, resilient female protagonists in demanding roles, both on-screen and behind the camera (e.g., female directors and cinematographers).