Yesterday I asked my friend the question: “Would you like to come see the Lighthouse with me?” It was a film that I had been closely anticipating the release of for a while now. The answer to that question was, and I’ll quote the message, “Honestly mate, it looks boring.” Oh boy was he wrong.
After a little convincing I was sat there in the cinema with him, waiting for it to start.
Before I start rambling on, what’s it even about? Well the film is directed by Robert Eggers, who also directed The Witch (2015).
William Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, who are working as lighthouse keepers, become stranded on their island in which they are stationed in wake of a storm. Alright, that doesn’t seem so bad does it? Well it’s just the two of them, stuck on this island completely isolated and we are left to witness them slowly lose their sanity…
Let’s go into some more detail…
The movie is shot in a 1. 19:1 aspect ratio on 35mm black and white film, which from the opening scenes, creates a very cramped and claustrophobic atmosphere. It somehow makes the already small location of the island in which we stay at for the duration of its running time even smaller. The choice to film this way was bold, and the extra work and effort to give the film this classic style really pays off. It also shows how great filmmaking can shine through technical limitations.
William Defoe and Robert Patterson both give excellent performances, though my one issue is that I struggled to hear some of the dialogue through the accent that Defoe uses. Some of his dialogue was a little lost in the mix but not enough for the film to become unenjoyable (this is just a tiny nit-pick). Patterson’s progression into mania especially showcases his abilities as an actor, and I’m glad to see how well his career seems to be doing as of recently.
Accompanying all of this was a spinetingling, deeply unsettling score which amplifies the impact of some scenes. Sound design as well is something of note, one scene in particular utilises a sound which has been heavily edited and distorted. This created a chilling moment which I’m not likely to forget for a while.
There are some moments where the film seems to drag a little bit, giving you some small brief moments to breathe but it soon picks right back up, plunging you back down deep into to the distressing imagery exploring these themes of isolation.
By the end, my friend was frozen in his seat. I asked him what he thought of it, and he replied telling me that this was one of the only movies that had ever truly scared him. So, all in all, I think the film did its job!
Even if you think you may not enjoy this one because of the more unconventional visual style, if you like a good well-made psychological horror then give it a shot.
Thanks for reading this far if you’re still here, and farewell!
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The Rambling Film Critic 