‘Night Nurse’ Review: Film About Caretaker Drawn Into Patient’s Grift Premiered at Sundance
8 reported
Variety reports that Georgia Bernstein’s debut film “Night Nurse,” an erotic thriller, premiered at Sundance’s experimental NEXT section in January 2026 and is now opening in limited theaters across the U.S. The film follows nurse Elemi, played by Cemre Paksoy, who is drawn into a grifting game by her patient Douglas, played by Bruce McKenzie. The scheme involves a roleplaying script where a nurse pretends to be a granddaughter begging for settlement money, with Douglas taking over as her supposed attorney. The film also features Eléonore Hendricks as day-nurse Mona and Mimi Rogers as Doctor Mann. Bernstein was partly inspired by a true story involving her grandmother, who almost fell victim to a money-wiring scam by someone impersonating Bernstein’s brother. The film is set in the Chicago suburbs, where Bernstein’s grandmother lived, and was shot by cinematographer Lidia Nikonova.
What’s reported
“Night Nurse” is Georgia Bernstein’s debut film, described as an erotic thriller.
It premiered at Sundance’s experimental NEXT section in January 2026.
The film is now opening in limited theaters across the U.S.
The plot involves a scheme where nurse Elemi (Cemre Paksoy) is pushed by patient Douglas (Bruce McKenzie) to play a hapless granddaughter begging for settlement money, with Douglas acting as her attorney.
The grift also involves day-nurse Mona (Eléonore Hendricks) and comes to the attention of care facility leadership, including Doctor Mann (Mimi Rogers).
Bernstein was partly inspired by a true story involving her grandmother, who almost fell victim to a money-wiring scam by someone impersonating Bernstein’s brother.
The film is set in the Chicago suburbs, where Bernstein’s grandmother lived.
Cinematography was done by Lidia Nikonova.
Key figures
Georgia Bernstein: director and writer of “Night Nurse”
Cemre Paksoy: actress playing nurse Elemi
Bruce McKenzie: actor playing patient Douglas
Eléonore Hendricks: actress playing day-nurse Mona
Mimi Rogers: actress playing Doctor Mann
Lidia Nikonova: cinematographer
Sources: Variety
