RJ Cyler has quietly built an interesting career. He is the kind of actor who moves easily between heartbreak and humor, often without making a big deal out of it. From Me and Earl and the Dying Girl to The Book of Clarence, his work has always felt intentional, even when the projects themselves could not be more different. With Night Patrol, Cyler steps into horror and fully embraces the chaos.

When he first read the script, he says the reaction was immediate. It was wild, unpredictable, and not the kind of story where anyone feels safe. That was the appeal. Night Patrol throws together cast including Justin Long, Freddie Gibbs, and YG who realistically would never be in the same room, let alone the same type of movie.

Cyler plays Wazi, a cautious but reckless stubborn gang member that often makes choices that leave you shaking your head. Watching the film, there were moments where I genuinely wondered why Wazi would put himself in certain situations at all. Cyler laughed when I brought this up and admitted that the character’s choices are not meant to be easy to understand. What matters is the intention behind them.

One of the film’s most tense moments comes when he willingly walks into enemy territory (opposing gang) to reveal a disheartening truth. It feels irrational and dangerous, but that decision ends up shifting how others see him. According to Cyler, that moment is less about fearlessness and more about responsibility. If the truth is going to come out, Wazi wants it to come from him.

By the end, Cyler felt strongly that the film lands exactly where it needs to. Wazi does not suddenly become fearless or perfect, but he becomes someone worth sticking with and rooting for. The payoff comes from watching him grow rather than giving up on him when things get uncomfortable. And trust me they become very uncomfortable.

Horror fans will also see that Night Patrol is not typically what you see in the vampire genre. Cyler is a longtime fan of the genre, particularly horror that leans into psychological and spiritual fear rather than straight slashers. He cited The Pope’s Exorcist and The Conjuring series as favorites, films that make fear feel uncomfortably close to reality. That sensibility carries into Night Patrol, which asks viewers to suspend disbelief while still grounding the story emotionally.

Outside of the film, Cyler continues to surprise audiences. Last year, he appeared as the love interest in Halle Bailey’s music video, a moment that quickly became a fan favorite. The opportunity came through Instagram, though the shoot itself was less glamorous than it looked. Cyler admitted he had done an intense workout the day before and spent most of the shoot in pain, even if it never showed. As for who he would want to work with next, his answer was immediate. Keri Hilson. His taste, he explained, will always lean toward the early 2000s R &B era.

With Night Patrol, RJ Cyler feels very much in his element. He is not chasing safety or predictability. He is choosing stories that allow him to be messy, scared, and human. Horror just happens to be the backdrop this time.

Night Patrol is out now!