LIGHTS OUT (2016) MOVIE NEWS & REVIEW

lights out (2016) movie

Genre               |   Supernatural

Classification   |   M

Running time   |   81 minutes

Released         |   21 July 2016

cast

Teresa Palmer ... Rebecca
Gabriel Bateman ... Martin
Alexander DiPersia ... Bret
Billy Burke ... Paul
Maria Bello ... Sophie

director

David F. Sandberg

writer

Eric Heisserer ... (screenplay)
 
David F. Sandberg ... (based on the short film by)

cinematographer

​Marc Spicer

music

 Benjamin Wallfisch

film editor

​Michel Aller
Kirk M. Morri

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box office result

Worldwide             $​ ​148,868,835  

Australia                 $​​​​​2,500,000

North America        $​​​67,268,835 ​

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the best dialogue

Rebecca: We're living with a dead woman!
Sophie: Ghosts don't exist.
Rebecca: Well, if she's not a ghost then what is she?

Diana: Keep the lights out.
[lifts Rebecca into the air]
Diana: I'm not being sent away again. If you don't stop, I'll show you where I put your father.

Rebecca: Mom! We need to talk.

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things to spend money on ...

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LIGHTS OUT (2016) IMAGES

Images

Posters

Images

Posters

LIGHTS OUT (2016) STORY SYNOPSIS

​Rebecca must unlock the terror behind her little brother's experiences that once tested her sanity, bringing her face to face with a supernatural spirit attached to their mother.

LIGHTS OUT (2016) MOVIE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mark Geraghty   |   Review date 19 July 2016
​Pop Movee Rating ⭐⭐⭐

David F. Sandberg has taken his short horror thriller of the same name and expanded it into a simple yet effective feature film. The film’s MacGuffin is based on the concept of a supernatural entity who has taken a human form and uses the dark to stalk its victims but is unable to enter the light. The entity, having taken possession of a girl called Diana, attaches itself to a psychologically susceptible person and feeds off their inability to mentally fend it off. In presenting the “Diana” demon in this way, experienced Horror screenwriter Eric Heisserer (A Nightmare on Elm Street remake, The Thing remake & Final Destination 5) and Director Sandberg provide a meaningful insight into society’s need to help those who can’t help themselves; especially those who suffer the scourge of mental illness and children who need the support of their families to learn how to make their way in the world.

In the film’s extended prologue, the audience are given an immediate insight into the unique ability of the “Diana” demon to take advantage of the dark. Paul, character actor Billy Burke, is working late at his office. Esther, one of Paul’s employees (played by original Lights Out short film Producer Lotta Losten) sees something that looks like a human figure in the doorway when she turns out to the lights to leave for the night. Esther is frightened by what she has seen and tells Paul to be careful. Left alone, Paul begins to lock-up, but his attention is caught by the figure; who he believes to be an intruder. As the timer on the office lights run out, the figure moves progressively closer. Now frightened, Paul retreats to his office, but the lights fail and, despite the rather solid baseball bat in his hands, he is attacked by a force that is greater than anything he can defend himself against. Paul’s broken, dead body is the last thing the audience see before the film’s title card appears on the screen and the film drops the audience into the middle of Paul’s family coping with the aftermath of his death.

The locations used in Lights Out are as simple as its story. The two main settings used throughout the film are Paul’s step-daughter’s apartment, Rebecca, played by the gorgeous Australian actress Teresa Palmer. The other principal setting is Paul’s house, where his wife Sophie (Maria Bello) and son Martin (Gabriel Bateman) are left to mourn his unexplained loss. It soon becomes apparent to Martin that Sophie is under the influence of an unexplained force that she has no control over. He seeks out Rebecca, who has become estranged from her mother, living on her own, trying to work out what kind of relationship she wants with her own partner, Bret (Alexander DiPersia). Martin’s appearance stirs a series of memories in Rebecca that see her take firm action when presented with her half-brother’s story that some strange entity is exercising control over their mother. The relationship between Martin and Rebecca is where Lights Out really succeeds, as young Gabriel Bateman and Teresa Palmer have really good chemistry and the viewer feels like these two are genuine siblings.

Lights Out Director of Photography Marc Spicer deserves a special call-out, as the lighting and shot composition of this film is integral to its effectiveness is providing the film’s scares. A film like Lights Out could not have been easy to shoot because just about all of the light in each scene is provided by an artificial source that has its own unique look, such as neons and fluros. One very effective scene uses the red neon light that intermittently fills Rebecca’s apartment bedroom to allow “Diana” demon to wreak her wrath. David Sandberg has honed his skills well with a long resume of short films and TV work, resulting in Lights Out being a better-than-average entry into the Supernatural Horror category. The inclusion of genuine themes, such as mental illness, child protection and the importance of family, is a welcome addition to the film’s story. Be warned though, Lights Out ends on an unexpected, bittersweet note that is quite nihilistic in its outcome and underlying meaning.

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