The detailed portrayal of the character expression, as well as their stances, also brings about an aura of tension and stress. Instead of a march, usually orderly and confident, the march here is disarrayed and confused, as if the two leaders, Fabulous Frans and Wondrous Willem, have no clue what they should be doing. The chaos that clutters the background adds to the feeling of drifting aimlessly. With fingers, spears, and a variety of other weapons pointing in nearly all directions, it seems as if this Night Watch was the cheapest one for the city. Perhaps they misunderstood their orders and had prepared themselves for a fashion watch instead. Clearly they're trying to make a fashion statement with their sweet hats, intricately combed beards, and coffee-filter collars.

Finally, perhaps the most commendable, is Rembrandt's usage of movement. Unlike fellow paintings of the time, the individuals in his painting seem be fluid, as if they could begin walking at any moment. Compared to other paintings around the mid-sixteen hundreds, a majority of them portraits or still-life paintings, Rembrandt's The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch outshines them all.