Writer-director Don McKellar captured the collective, generational existential angst felt by everyone on the planet as it hurtled towards the potential apocalypse of Y2K doom with, naturally, a darkly comic romantic satire with his 1998 offering, LAST NIGHT.

Perfectly capturing the sense of quiet dread and malaise that veiled the era, the story unfolds among various citizens of Toronto as they anxiously await the end of the world, which is occurring, for reasons explained – at midnight. While widower Patrick Wheeler braces for his fate, he meets Sandra, the wife of a businessman, who is intent on committing suicide. Meanwhile, Patrick’s friend Craig, embracing a hedonistic approach to the apocalypse, decides to have as much sex as he can while there is still time.

A modest hit upon its release, the film garnered international accolades and awards, (including from the Cannes Film Festival for McKellar and actors Sandra Oh and Callum Keith Rennie), and features a veritable who’s-who of A-list Canadian talent including Sarah Polley, Tracy Wright, David Cronenberg, Arsinée Khanjian, and Jackie Burroughs.

Canadian filmmaking icons Don McKellar and Bruce McDonald will be joining us via Zoom for a post-screening Q&A.

“It’s the End of The World as We Know It, and this crafty Canadian film chronicles the end times in smart, snappy fashion.” (The Wrap)

“Bare-bones filmmaking, ‘Last Night’… has a witty, trenchant script, lots of complicated characters, and a few actors who turn human frailty into something nearly sublime.” (Village Voice)

“McKellar’s able cast and strange vision of a community struggling to come to terms with its limitations prove deeply affecting.” (OUT Magazine)

“… paints a picture more bittersweet than violent, with moments of startling poignancy.” (Roger Ebert)

LAST NIGHT (Don McKellar, 1998 / 95 mins / 14A) A group of very different individuals with different ideas of how to face the end come together as the world is expected to end in six hours at the turn of the century.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.