I first became interested in Late Shift because of Leonie Benesch. Over the past few years, she has quietly established herself as one of the most compelling actresses working in European cinema, delivering memorable performances in films such as The Teachers’ Lounge and September 5. When I learned that she would be leading a film centred on the realities of healthcare work, it immediately caught my attention. The film’s strong reception on the international festival circuit only reinforced that interest.
| Late Shift | Movie Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 92 min |
| Director | Petra Volpe |
| Main Actors | Leonie Benesch, Sonja Riesen, Urs Bihler |
Directed by Petra Volpe, Late Shift premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it received widespread praise for its realism and for Benesch’s outstanding performance. The actress went on to receive several awards and nominations throughout the year, while the film itself became Switzerland’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Its international recognition is particularly notable for a film that focuses not on extraordinary events, but on the everyday realities of hospital work.
The story follows Floria, a dedicated nurse working in a hospital ward during an increasingly demanding evening shift. What begins as a routine day gradually turns into a relentless race against time as staff shortages, administrative pressures, and patients’ needs begin to collide. As the hours pass, the film immerses viewers in the physical and emotional demands of a profession that often remains invisible until something goes wrong.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its realism. Rather than relying on dramatic medical emergencies or sensational plot twists, Late Shift finds tension in everyday situations. A patient needs attention. Another requires reassurance. A family member demands answers. A colleague is overwhelmed. Individually, these moments seem manageable, but together they create an atmosphere of constant pressure that becomes increasingly exhausting not only for the protagonist but also for the audience.
Leonie Benesch delivers a remarkable performance at the centre of the film. Much of the story depends on her ability to communicate stress, empathy, frustration, and resilience, often within the same scene. She portrays Floria as someone deeply committed to her patients while simultaneously struggling against a system that demands more than any individual can realistically provide. The performance never seeks easy heroism, making it all the more convincing.
Petra Volpe directs with precision and restraint. The camera frequently stays close to Floria, following her through corridors, patient rooms, and nursing stations. This creates an almost documentary-like immediacy, allowing viewers to experience the relentless pace of the shift firsthand. The hospital becomes a world of constant movement where every decision matters and every minute counts.
Beyond its portrait of healthcare work, the film raises broader questions about care itself. Who looks after those whose job is to look after everyone else? How long can dedication compensate for structural shortcomings? Without turning into a political manifesto, Late Shift invites reflection on the pressures facing healthcare systems across many countries, making its themes universally relevant.
What impressed me most was the film’s refusal to simplify reality. There are no clear villains here. Patients, families, nurses, and administrators are all trying to navigate difficult circumstances. The film understands that the problem often lies not in individual failures but in systems stretched beyond their limits. This nuanced perspective gives the story both credibility and emotional depth.
For audiences outside Switzerland, Late Shift may feel surprisingly familiar. The challenges depicted throughout the film resonate far beyond its specific setting, reflecting conversations taking place in hospitals around the world. In that sense, the film achieves something quite powerful: it transforms a local story into a universal one without losing its authenticity.
Its international recognition feels fully deserved. Beyond its festival success and Switzerland’s Oscar campaign, Late Shift stands out for transforming an everyday professional reality into a gripping and deeply human experience. Anchored by an outstanding performance from Leonie Benesch and guided by Petra Volpe’s assured direction, it reminds us that behind every hospital routine lies an immense amount of invisible labour, responsibility, and care.
