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Late Shift
Heldin
2025 92 min Switzerland, Germany 12+
★7.8
Drama
Director: Petra Biondina Volpe
Trailers
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Description
Dedicated nurse Floria navigates the relentless pace of her hospital’s understaffed surgical ward with humanity and warmth. As her overnight shift intensifies, she is pushed to the brink in a race against time.
Budget:
$4.6M
Worldwide:
$4M
Starring
Leonie Benesch
Actor
Sonja Riesen
Actor
Alireza Bayram
Actor
Awards
European Film Awards 2026
— Best Actress
Key opinion
Helden is widely praised for its raw, documentary-style depiction of the immense systemic pressures faced by night-shift nurses in an understaffed oncology ward. Led by a deeply convincing performance from Leonie Benesch, the film effectively balances personal drama with broader questions about the sustainability of modern healthcare.
| Acting | Leonie Benesch delivers a raw, documentary-like performance that masterfully captures the exhaustion and resilience of a nurse under extreme pressure. | |
| Production | The film utilizes a gritty, minimalist aesthetic—relying on realistic soundscapes rather than a musical score—to heighten the sense of immersion. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully highlights the systemic neglect and staffing shortages in healthcare, offering a poignant look at the labor of those on the front lines. | |
| Pacing | The film’s pacing is designed to mirror the repetitive, high-stress rhythm of a hospital shift, which some find deeply immersive while others may perceive as contemplative or near-plotless. | |
| Originality | Critics are divided on the film's genre identity: some view it as a high-tension thriller built on escalating medical stakes, while others categorize it as a quiet, character-driven drama. |