When her little brother, Martin, experiences the same events that once tested her sanity, Rebecca works to unlock the truth behind the terror, which brings her face to face with an entity that has an attachment to their mother, Sophie.
I loved the 2013 Short film that this movie is based on (see here), this really captures the very essence of a fear of the dark. When the announcement was made of a full length feature, I was hopeful. And, for the most part, this movie did not disappoint. This was a very pleasant change from the latest barrage of sequels, prequels and reimaginings that have plagued movie theaters in the last few years.
Lights Out (2016) was methodical, frightening and well done, from the very concept, to the acting… however, I found points of the story to be rather confusing. With that said, I really recommend this one – it’s a keeper. And now…
Here’s the criticism I have.
Throughout the movie, we see that the entity, Diana, is bound to Sophi (the mother). Now, this makes her more of an imaginary friend, than a demonic or spiritual being. BUT, we see that she was a real person. So which is it? What Diana really is, is not explained sufficiently – or should I say that it’s not defined. When Sophi commits suicide, Diana is expelled. It really doesn’t make sense unless she’s imaginary.
Exposition through, literal, writing on the wall… It appears that they had a bit more story to tell that Diana’s records and Sophi’s insane rantings couldn’t bring to light (see what I did there?) so, in the basement, Diana has written on the walls.. but it’s sentences that no one would just write out, it’s too on the mark. It’s like if someone entered the bat-cave and saw “I can’t believe no one’s figured out that i’m Bruce Wane”. Really, it’s like that. Honestly, I didn’t have issue with writing on the walls, I just would have made them more vague.
I think Diana shouldn’t have had any makeup effects. When we finally see her (in a black light) she looks like a burn victim. No, I would have kept her black and shadowy. Keep the mystery, there was no reason for that reveal.
