A damaged family is terrorized by a vengeful spirit who exists
in the darkness and has attached itself to their disturbed mother. HORROR
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Lights Out (2016)Directed by David F. Sandberg
Written by Eric Heisserer Starring Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Alexander DiPersia, Maria Bello, Billy Burke, Alicia Vela-Bailey Based on the short film by David F. Sandberg |
Just when you thought you weren't afraid of the dark anymore, a film like Lights Out arrives and convinces you to switch on every light in your house. This film is a super fun fright-fest that delivers a powerful story and one of the creepiest monsters in modern horror. What amazes me the most about this film is that it was adapted from a YouTube short film with a similar premise. It's not very often a horror film can epitomize the american dream, but here we are.
Usually the biggest problem with horror films are the characters. They are often flat or unlikable, which means you couldn't care less when they are brutally ripped apart. That's not the case with Lights Out. The characters are well-written and complex, particularly the monster, Diana. The idea of a ghost trapped in the darkness and visible only in the absence of light is nothing short of brilliant. Every scene with Diana was terrifying, her eyes, her creepy elongated fingers, all of it. Lights Out is on its way to becoming one of the best horror films of the year, with its only competition being released in the next few months. It's an unsettling exercise in terror and a perfect template for a great horror movie. My only gripe is its super short length. It could've easily gone on for another half hour at least. Hopefully, David F. Sandberg has some more ideas, because his debut is a terrific first run. |