By: Abeeha Shahid
Are you afraid of the dark? Do you fear the things that might lurk in the shadows? Ever felt like there was a figure standing in the dark that disappears when you turn the light on? David F. Sandberg’s horror builds on that primal fear and asks: what if that figure was actually there? What if there really is a reason to be scared of the dark?
Lights Out is the movie adaptation of Sandberg’s 2013 short film of the same name, that went viral on YouTube for its simple yet effective and horrifying concept. Produced by Lawrence Grey, James Wan, Eric Heisserer, written by Heisserer and directed by David F. Sanberg, it first premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival, on June 8, 2016, and received many positive reviews by the critics praising the direction, screenplay, and acting, grossing a $148 million against a budget of $4.9 million.
The film follows the story of a dysfunctional family, with the mom communicating with something that’s not there, the son experiencing nightmares, and the daughter trying to run away from everything. When Rebecca (played by Teresa Palmer), the daughter, left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out and now her little brother, Martin (played by Gabriel Bateman), is experiencing the same unexplained and frightening events that once tested her sanity. A terrifying entity, Diana, who seems to have a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie (played by Maria Bello), has resurfaced. Except this time, Rebecca believes it’s real and digs deeper, unlocking the truth about a past that is as creepy as it is horrifying. Their lives are at risk and the being in the dark will eliminate any threat that stands between her and Sophie.
With the addition of a backstory and plot, Sandberg expanded a three-minute short horror film into a brilliantly sustained and nerve-wracking 80-minute long movie. Although the story is vague in the sense that there is no clear explanation of what Diana actually is and what the extent of her powers are.
The actors did a fantastic job of portraying the true horror of the events that occurred. Maria Bello perfectly encapsulated the role of a troubled woman who struggles to cope with her grief and distinguish between what is true and what is not. Teresa Palmer delivers a powerful performance portraying a strong, protective character while still remaining human, showing a vulnerable and scared side.
Compared to other horror movies, Lights Out uses a relatively simple idea but along with the creative manipulation of different light sources and cleverly planted jump scares, it makes for a chilling watch that leaves you scared of the dark corners for a long while.
Commentaires