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The Lighthouse: Movie Review

the-lighthouse | Photo: A24
the-lighthouse | Photo: A24

What would you do if you were isolated from the world, with nothing but your thoughts, a flock of gulls, a very loud lighthouse, and an annoying boss around you? How long would you last until it started to affect you? How long would you last before you went mad? This is the simple premise that The Lighthouse presents, and makes you immensely uncomfortably.

Horror needs more films like this one. Ones that don’t have monsters chasing the heroes or jump-scare riddled romps accompanied by loud noises. Films that manage to make having dinner seem unsettling, or working a mundane job seem foreboding. This film is so subtle and slow, and that’s what is so good about it.

Set on an unknown island off the coast of new England. Two sailors are forced to maintain a lighthouse and face their fears lest they fall victim to insanity.

To start things off, the acting is extremely good. Both Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe make every scene gross and uncomfortable to watch. The entirety of the film you don’t get to feel one moment of positivity as these two men just go from bad to worse. That’s not to say this movie doesn’t have its funny moments. It is more that you don’t get to laugh for too long before you tense back up and that feeling of dread returns.

Complimenting the powerful performances is the nerve-wracking sound and music. So many scenes are scored by the deafening wail of the lighthouse. It’s enough to drive anybody angry or frustrated. When it bellows, it makes the scene feel much more vivid and tense.

Fair warning, this movie isn’t action packed or fast paced in the slightest. Almost nothing happens other than two men either yelling at each other or singing and dancing. It’s a slow-burn film that builds the suspense at a snail’s pace until it comes to a head and leaves you feeling so unpleasant. If you are expecting thrills, look elsewhere this Halloween.

Fans of films like The Witch and Hereditary will love this movie, so will those who love to live in discomfort with their horror. This movie is not for children or those that don’t like tension.

The Lighthouse is a guttural, creepy, and unnaturally scary film that will leave you wishing for dry land.

The Lighthouse

10 out of 10.

1 hr 50 mins. Psychological Horror.

Directed by Robert Eggers.

Starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe.

Now playing at Cineplex Winston Churchill.