In our interview with the director, writer and cast of A Night Like This, we talk all about the importance of queer stories on screen, Before Sunrise and David Bradley!
Movies that take place over a singular night are alluring. The concept of events that unravel over 10 hours being condensed into a feature – in A Night Like This’s case, it’s a mere 97 minutes – is already enough to want to dive into the film. When Oliver (Alexander Lincoln) meets Lukas (Jack Brett Anderson) in a pub in London, the two don’t hit it off immediately. But as the night progresses, it’s only a matter of time until they find themselves getting to know each other on a deeper level, revealing secrets they’ve never even trusted their best friends with.
For the most part, A Night Like This is engaging, with two great lead performances. The film sees two debuts: Liam Calvert with his directorial work, and Diego Scerrati’s first script to be developed into a feature.
At the World Premiere of A Night Like This at BFI Flare 2025, we spoke to the cast and crew of the film: director Liam Calvert, writer Diego Scerrati, and stars Alexander Lincoln, Jack Brett Anderson and Jimmy Ericson. Read the interview below!
The Cast and Crew of A Night Like This on having the World Premiere at BFI Flare
How does it feel to be having the world premiere of A Night Like This at BFI Flare?
Jimmy Ericson: I’m absolutely chuffed!!
Jack Brett Anderson: I’ve never been here before, so being able to come to BFI Flare and be a part of a film that’s having its debut here is just amazing. I’m really proud. I’m happy films like these are getting the airtime they deserve. I’m really grateful to be a part of it. I really hope people enjoy it [laughs]!
Alexander Lincoln: It’s wonderful! The beautiful thing about BFI Flare is they cultivate such amazing queer stories from queer voices. What’s nice and different about this film is that it doesn’t fit into that queer sphere, in a sense that it’s not all about that. It’s about connections and lust.
Liam Calvert: It’s a dream! It’s a dream festival to be a part of. It’s a queer film and it’s a London film. It’s just so cool.
Diego Scerrati: It really is a dream. It’s incredible! If I think back to five years ago, when I was writing the script on my balcony during lockdown… I’m a first time writer producer and I’m here with a first time director. It’s beyond any expectations I had.
And for you, Alexander, what is it like being back [Lincoln was at Flare in 2022 for his film In from the Side] at BFI Flare?
Alexander Lincoln: It’s so lovely to be back here and be back in London. I’ve already seen so many wonderful films.
What have you seen so far that you’ve liked?
A.L.: I loved The Wedding Banquet! It was a fantastic opening night film. A beautiful comedy that has so much heart in it. What have you seen that you’ve liked?
I loved The Wedding Banquet, and also a film called Departures.
A.L.: I still need to see Departures! I’ve heard great things about it.
Influences, David Bradley and what to take away from A Night Like This
What influences did you bring in from other characters you’ve seen on screen into your role?
Jimmy Ericson: I was just trying to get into this character as much as possible. I absolutely love Stephen Graham. He’s been doing such great work at the moment, and really for all time. I want to get more scousers into film and TV! I think my character was a great way to do this and I’m really happy.
Jack Brett Anderson: Lots of it came from within. A lot came from the writing itself. We just explored aspects of what we wanted to show on screen. Both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset have come up in terms of the conversations the characters have on screen. But I personally didn’t go too far to look for inspiration.
How important was it to you to have this particular film set with a backdrop of London?
Diego Scerrati: Liam and I are both from London; I came here 11 years ago and London is my second home. It just made sense!
Liam Calvert: It couldn’t have been anywhere else, really. It’s such a big city and it enhances the loneliness in the film.
How did David Bradley [Bradley plays a part in one of the pubs Oliver and Lukas venture into] become a part of this project?
D.S.: It’s one of those where you know someone who knows a person who knows a person. I managed to get the script to him and we went back and forth over emails. We weren’t sure if we actually had him, as he was in talks to be in something else, but we made it happen. He’s such a great actor and it makes a big difference having him in this film.
L.C. He’s a dream actor to work with. When he was on set, everyone was so nervous, but he was so lovely.
There’s a lot of talk in the film about achieving things and the balance of finding yourself whilst not comparing yourself to others. What do you want people to take away from the film?
Jimmy Ericson: Firstly, I hope people enjoy the movie. I also hope they see that the film is about finding a connection, and that it’s possible.
Jack Brett Anderson: Take a risk! Have those conversations [one’s about how you’re feeling, especially if you’re feeling like there’s no hope] with people. Don’t be afraid to say yes, even if you’re the most uncomfortable you’ve ever been. You can learn a lot from strangers. When it seems like it’s the end, it’s not.
In a world where there’s a “rush” to define yourself and your sexuality, do you think having a film like this will allow more people to just go with the flow and not put a label on themselves?
Diego Scerrati: For me, it was important to build a story that everyone could relate to, regardless of sexuality, race or gender. We’re all in this together. I wanted to make a story about two human beings without labels. Is there love? Is there a relationship? We don’t need to know. I like that there’s no definition to the characters.
Liam Calvert: It’s a story about two sets of queer men, but it’s not exclusively romantic. It could be any two people finding this connection. It really could happen between anyone.
The cast and crew of A Night Like This talk about all their favourite queer movies
As we’re at BFI Flare, what are your favourite queer movies?
Jimmy Ericson: What a great question! I love Pride. It’s beautifully done. The music in it is incredible. I like films that have historical value in there as well.
Jack Brett Anderson: Let’s go with Call Me By Your Name!
Liam Calvert: I really like Weekend. I wrote an essay on it in uni and it’s one of the biggest influences on this film really.
Diego Scerrati: I was also going to say Weekend! I’ll find another one. Probably Brokeback Mountain. Back when it came out, it was revolutionary.
Alexander Lincoln: Mysterious Skin with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet. It’s such a dark film all about traumatic experiences and how when the main characters go their own ways it still stays with them. More recently, All of Us Strangers is one of my favourites. It’s so powerful! The way we process grief and how we get through it all; it really resonated with me after losing my dad. I watched it with my mum and my brother and we broke down and cried together after watching it.
One thing I love doing is having mini movie marathons. What film would you pair with A Night Like This for that perfect movie marathon?
Jimmy Ericson: I actually don’t know! That’s such a tough question.
Jack Brett Anderson: A Night Like This makes you laugh and cry, so I’d probably pair it with Bridesmaids!
Alexander Lincoln: There is an aspect of Before Sunrise in this film in the way in which they both explore human connection.
Liam Calvert: Rye Lane!
Diego Scerrati: Before Sunrise. Oh and also Marriage Story!
What are your favourite films that take place over the course of one night?
Jimmy Ericson: One of the reasons I was so excited about this film was because it was set over just one night. It’s quite unusual to have one set like this as there’s usually a time jump somewhere. I like 1917 because it follows one story and one group of people.
Thank you for speaking with us!
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
A Night Like This had its World Premiere at BFI Flare on 28-29 March, 2025. Read our BFI Flare reviews!
Header Credits: Director Alexander Lincoln, writer Diego Scerrati, and stars Jimmy Ericson, Jack Brett Anderson and Liam Calvert (the cast and crew of A Night Like This) attend the BFI Flare World Premiere at the BFI Southbank on March 28, 2025 in London, England. (Millie Turner / Getty Images for BFI Flare) / A still from A Night Like This (Verve Pictures)
