WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is set to terrify audiences in the horror film "Night Patrol," hitting theaters January 16, 2026, and the wrestler didn't hold back discussing the film's bold political commentary.
In a new interview with ComingSoon, Punk discussed playing Deputy, a ruthless vampire cop inspired by real-world police encounters.
All my experiences with most law enforcement lead me to play deputy, and I got to be a vampire, so there's no humanity there," Punk explained.
"Seeing especially most recently the political climate we're in in the United States, seeing how police move and act — is it justified? Is it overreaching? I think this movie asks a lot of those questions.
The film's unflinching social commentary initially made Punk question whether it could be made.
I read the script and I was just like, 'Okay, we can't make this movie, can we? What year is this? This is a little too on the nose,'" he admitted. "But I think it's important to talk about what is going on in the real world through art.
Punk praised co-stars Justin Long and Dermot Mulroney for their commitment to the indie production.
Justin Long starred in a Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis, and there's almost a thought that he's not going to take this seriously," Punk said.
"He jumped into this with both feet. I was blown away — shame on me for assuming he was going to think he was bigger than this role.
The film features action-packed vampire sequences, including a scene where Punk's character shrugs off gunfire from rappers Freddie Gibbs and Flying Lotus.
I'm getting shot, I'm getting stabbed, and I just keep coming," Punk said. "A true real treat for a horror movie fan to get to play that unstoppable killer.
Practical effects included a decapitated head prop created using iPhone scanning technology.
Somebody used an iPhone and an app and they walked around my head," Punk recalled. "I didn't know we could do that. When they made that thing, it looked good.
Produced by Dark Knight and Blade trilogy writer David S. Goyer and directed by Ryan Prows, "Night Patrol" premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2025 to positive reviews. The film releases theatrically via RLJE Films on January 16, 2026, before streaming on Shudder.
