WWE icon CM Punk commands attention in the upcoming action-horror movie, Night Patrol, taking on a chilling new villainous role as a vampire cop in Los Angeles. The highly anticipated film showcases Punk in a departure from his wrestling persona, drawing on his star power for an intense and bloody ride as fans count down to its January 16, 2026 theater debut, making his CM Punk Night Patrol role a headline event for both wrestling and horror aficionados.
CM Punk Embodies a Ruthless Vampire Cop in Night Patrol
Night Patrol centers around an LAPD officer who unexpectedly uncovers a grisly secret about his department—its elite night unit consists of vampires preying on the same housing projects where he grew up. Faced with the horror, he forms an uneasy alliance with local gangs to protect their community and take on these undead law enforcers, leading to brutal confrontations and graphic violence throughout the film.
Director Ryan Prows, a renowned wrestling fan, spoke with WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard, reflecting on Punk’s transformation in the film and his commitment to delivering a fresh performance unlike anything seen in his wrestling career. Prows emphasized how working with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion added another layer of excitement to the project, and how Punk’s presence elevated the movie’s dialogue and tension.
“Once he took a read, I was just so stoked that he was available and excited about it and ready to do it. We immediately hopped on writing a couple of speeches for him to give. Just because once you got such a good talker in the movie, you got to let him run.”
— Ryan Prows, Director
Punk Delivers His Most Menacing Performance Yet
In a role that contrasts sharply with his straight-edge wrestling image, Punk dives into playing a corrupt cop who breaks the law and flouts social norms. Director Ryan Prows acknowledged the delicate balance of remaining mindful of Punk’s established lifestyle, yet was impressed by the wrestler’s willingness to tackle darker, more twisted material solely as an actor. Punk embraced the challenge, helping create one of his most memorable performances as a villain in years.
“We were trying to be respectful, obviously. We got to figure out, ‘Are you cool with this’ or whatever. [But] he was like, ‘I’m an actor, man. I’m ready to do it.’ So yeah, he did a great job with all that. And, kudos to him for [having] a fearlessness of he’s playing just an awful, awful person. And he’s like doing it without a wink.
“[He was] actually just sort of saying awful things and doing awful things and is like fully committed to it. So that was definitely—you obviously assume or hope that that’s going to be the case, but I was really impressed with just how ready he was once he committed to it and how much he gave for it. So it was incredible to work with him.”
— Ryan Prows, Director
A Wrestling Fan’s Dream Collaboration on Set
For Ryan Prows, directing a dominant wrestling figure like CM Punk was a personal highlight. The pair collaborated closely to choreograph complex fight scenes, with Prows often playfully referencing Punk’s wrestling background during takes. Their partnership enabled a creative environment that blended wrestling showmanship with intense filmmaking, resulting in some of the film’s most dynamic action sequences.
“With the wrestling stuff, I just kept needling him a little bit, messing with him a bit, where I was just like, ‘Hey, are we hitting this spot hard enough?’ Or, he got tagged on his hands during a take with a prop weapon. And I was like, ‘Are you going to get payback?’ He’s like, ‘Come on, man…’ So it was just super nerdy fun to just be hanging out with a wrestling superstar.”
— Ryan Prows, Director
Punk’s established image as a WWE superstar also influenced his visual portrayal in Night Patrol. Prows conveyed his excitement for viewers to witness Punk’s screen presence in the action-horror landscape, hoping the performance shifts public perception and highlights Punk’s dedication to acting.
“I’m excited about how good he is in it, too. And again, like I said, the fact that he really committed and is playing a part and doing incredible with it. So I’m just excited to see people’s reaction to kind of his performance as well. Because I feel like he gets a little short stick sometimes, or gets static in the film world. But yeah, he’s awesome. He’s obviously such a nice, lovable dude as well. And he was just down for the cause, like I said, fully committed once he was on board. So it was just refreshing to kind of be like that.”
— Ryan Prows, Director
Innovative Approach to Classic Vampire Warfare
Night Patrol delivers relentless action through its 104-minute runtime, but Director Prows is particularly proud of how the film injects cultural authenticity and reimagines traditional vampire lore. By referencing classic vampire films and introducing cryptozoological twist, the movie explores not only fresh supernatural rivalries but also deeper community dynamics and social commentary within the neighborhoods under siege.
“We referenced a lot of different vampire movies. We keep calling the cryptozoologist [group in the film] ‘bloods.’ In our mind, those guys have seen every vampire movie. The fun is then trying to figure out which vampires are you up against in this, what the weaknesses are, whatever. So hopefully, this contributes to that, and somebody can take what we’ve added to the lore and build on it as well; that would be fun.”
— Ryan Prows, Director
What’s Next for Punk, Prows, and Night Patrol?
With Night Patrol set for a theatrical release on January 16, 2026, audiences are eagerly awaiting CM Punk’s turn as an antagonist, and early reactions suggest his CM Punk Night Patrol role could redefine his career trajectory in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Punk continues to make waves on WWE RAW, bringing the same commitment seen on film to the wrestling ring each Monday on Netflix. Expectations are high not only for Night Patrol’s success but also for its impact on future horror projects blending wrestling and cinematic storytelling.
