LIGHTS OUT (PG-13)
Released By Warner Bros. Pictures
Review By John Pugh
There are some who need the lights on when watching a horror film. I’m a lights out kind of guy. Like many horror films, it’s more eventful keeping the lights off. I wouldn’t necessarily say there’s anything new or fresh about David F. Sandberg‘s new horror effort, LIGHTS OUT. However, if you’re looking for a good date-night-fright, you could do a lot worse.
This film was produced by horror guru James Wan (INSIDIOUS & THE CONJURING 2) and it’s based on the 2013 viral short film, LIGHTS OUT. The short went on to receive lots of praise and even earned a handful of awards while on the festival circuit. The exposure brought Mr. Sandberg the opportunity to expand on his idea of what happens when the lights go out.
This isn’t exactly a new trend. Fede Alvarez (2013’s EVIL DEAD and the upcoming DON’T BREATHE) received recognition for his short, Panic Attack! while Andrés Muschietti (MAMA & upcoming IT) earned a ton of praise for his short, MAMA. In fact, there are several terrific filmmakers out there who have been given the opportunity to do more after they’ve proven their worth by way of the short film format. Personally, I’m a big fan of this trend. In addition to Alvarez, Muscheietti, and Sandberg, the genre short film arena has also brought us the likes of Mike Flanagan (OCULUS) and J.A. Bayona (THE ORPHANAGE.) Here’s hoping that this trend continues even if LIGHTS OUT does emerge as a bit of a disappointment.
This feature length take on Sandberg’s effective short follows distressed Rebbeca (Teresa Palmer) as she tries to protect her younger brother, Martin, from the same sort of terrifying experiences that had her questioning her own sanity during a very turbulent youth. The source of what ails she and her brother lead back to their mentally unstable mother, Sophie (Maria Bello). In Sophie’s defense, it seems she has deep rooted issues of her own. Issues that stem from a strange and all too dysfunctional bond she had (has) with a childhood friend named Diana. What’s Diana’s problem? Let’s just say this creepy (and monstrous) individual isn’t a fan of the light.
WHAT I ENJOYED:
LIGHTS OUT delivers some fun scares and tense atmosphere. Furthermore, Sandberg brings a lot of terrific sight gags to the table. Add to that great lighting, cinematography, and competent cast.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
LIGHTS OUT sets up a fun moment early on in which a character who’s hunted by Diana, comes face to face with the supernatural force and makes the decision to run instead of stick around. I thought we would see more of that. Unfortunately there was very little of that consistent sense of fun and more of the “Don’t-open-that-door!” and “Why-on-Earth-would-you-investigate-that-by-yourself?!” type moments.
CONCLUSION:
Like IT FOLLOWS, LIGHTS OUT makes up rules as it goes. It’s inconsistent in its follow through and plays out several standard cliches often associated with the horror genre. While it does offer up moments, there aren’t nearly enough to sustain this concept as a feature. I’ll stick to the short. It’s considerably more effective.
Sidenote: Sandberg and his wife Lotta Losten (Star of the short film) continue to make no-budget short films out of their apartment. You can check out their collection on the Youtube Channel, PONYSMASHER, or visit Sandberg’s website, Dauid.com.
