Late Shift, the new drama from Swiss filmmaker Petra Volpe, stars Leonie Benesch as Floria, a dedicated nurse working in an understaffed surgical ward where every moment counts and every choice can change a life.
Joining Benesch in the immersive drama are cast members Sonja Riesen, Selma Aldin, Alireza Bayram, and Jürg Plüss.
Late Shift had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in 2025, then went on to screen at the Sydney Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival in the Swiss Panorama section, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Seville European Film Festival, among others. Notably, Late Shift was also Switzerland’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist.
Music Box Films will release Late Shift in theaters on March 20, 2026.
In Late Shift, dedicated nurse Floria (Leonie Benesch, The Teachers’ Lounge, September 5) 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. Every second counts, and every interruption could mean the difference between life and death.
Director Petra Volpe, acclaimed for her work on The Divine Order, skillfully uses real-time tension to examine the emotional cost of frontline care work and the quiet, unglamorous triumph of keeping people alive in a pitiless system. Late Shift is a portrait of everyday courage, both an homage to nurses and a rousing call to address the global staffing shortage in the industry.
Volpe has spoken candidly about her inspiration, and her intent to honor healthcare workers’ often unseen efforts. She described the movie as “a love letter to nurses around the world,” driven by a desire to depict not only the physical demands of the job but also the compassion and emotional labor inherent in caregiving.
In another interview, she added, “The topic of care has occupied me for many years. I lived with a nurse for a long time and witnessed every day what she experienced at work – the good and the bad – which, above all, had to do with the conditions, which became increasingly challenging. In my opinion, this profession should be one of the most highly regarded and respected in our society. Carers look after us when we are sick and old, when we are at our most vulnerable. They carry an enormous responsibility every day. That‘s why I wanted to make a movie that celebrates this profession.”
In a review for The Guardian, critic Peter Bradshaw praised Late Shift for its immersive intensity and commitment to realism, noting that Floria’s character brings a “tough, smart, credible presence” as she navigates the high-pressure environment of an understaffed hospital.
Watch the official trailer for Late Shift above.
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