Lights Out - A Movie Review

Beware of the figure looming in the shadows when you turn the lights out.

Turning out the lights in 2016, Lights Out was released to theaters. An estranged family is forced to rekindle when an unusual occurrence is brought forth. An unknown figure looms in the shadows whenever the lights are turned out. It’s only a matter of time to figure out this supernatural entity attached to their mother.

Thinking that Lights Out was going to be one of those cliche predictable horror films, I was wrong. Lights Out is a suspenseful film. Ironically, I watched this film with the lights on. Aside from the horror, Lights Out is a film that distributes the importance of family.

Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) and Martin (Gabriel Bateman) have a big age gap as siblings. I like the way their relationship evolved over the course of the story. We don’t know everything about their history and that is okay. We get little details about their upbringing, and the terse relationship they’ve had with their mother. More films need to recognize age-gap sibling relationships. They are essential to talk about.

Until Lights Out, I don’t think I have seen a film with Teresa Palmer. Palmer was terrific. She explored her character very well, along with her past. Rebecca fought for safety and to keep everyone together. I am looking forward to seeing Palmer in more films, most notably in horror.

For a young actor, Gabriel Bateman did a wonderful job. Kids always have an interesting arc in films, but sometimes they are only used to appeal to audiences. He had a hand in the finale. His reactions were very authentic.

I completely misjudged Bret (Alexander DiPersia). Instead of being a boyfriend who is unsupportive and flees from the situations, he is anything but. I adored his devotion to Rebecca. He even became an unexpected friend to Martin. A huge shoutout goes to the writers for the positive depiction of his character.

Sophie (Maria Bello) has been in and out of institutions fighting mental illness since her youth. Making a friend, this certain friend is not a healthy relationship. Knowing that she could have been a better mother to her kids, Sophie is trapped between two sides. At times, Bello did not feel authentic enough in her performance coming off as too passive.

Have you wondered who plays that terrifying creature looming in the shadows? It is Alicia Vela-Bailey. Diana’s story is haunting. Little CGI was used for her creepy appearance. Practical effects make films more genuine. The jump scares in Lights Out are not forced.

David F. Sandberg went for authenticity. He succeeded. For his film direction debut, Sandberg did a remarkable job. He didn’t just focus on the horror of the story. Instead, he focused on the characters, too. The family connection is a meaningful message that carries what the story is really about.

Mental health plays a key message in Lights Out. I was shocked at the climax which upset many audiences who have had their own battles with mental health. As viewers have complained about this decision, Sandberg has gone on to explain that choice further. Although he asserts that it was the right choice because of his own experiences, I don’t favor this ending along with the distasteful message it brings out.

Lights Out is not talked about enough. Don’t skip out on this movie. If there is ever a sequel to this film, I would see it. It has excellent jump scares and I liked the story. Turn out the lights and make sure that nothing is in the shadows.