Lights Out - The Horror will consume you. 👻

🎭 Genre :- Horror

🕦 Runtime :- 1 hr 20 mins

When things go bump in the night and the amount of light is limited at best, your imagination plays tricks on you.
Often we perceive the worst thing lurking in the shadows, waiting to wrap its tendrils, claws, or whatever appendage around your body and finish you off. This movie makes sure you feel the same, the following night.

My personal suggestion to you guys, would be to go alone. 😉

📜 Plot :- 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.

PS - I am going to integrate my take on the Editing, Cinematography, Background score, Performances, etc for this film, instead of writing it down separately.

Ghost stories are done to death. It is very difficult to come out with anything scary that is original. It turns out Lights Out is one of the biggest surprises of the year. Is it still filled with jump scares? Absolutely. 😉
But these types of scares are not of the cheap variety. 😻

🎥 Direction :- What's most impressive is how debuting writer/director David F. Sandberg is able to repeat essentially the same scare over and over, but keeping each one fresh, exciting, and inventive. Save for many that have been spoiled in the advertising, it's the many more that haven't been shown that are the cream of the soup.

😱 Lights Out got me to scream out loud on more than one occasion, something The Conjuring 2 was unable to do. 😱

Ironically, Lights Out is produced by James Wan (director of The Conjuring franchise) and Sanberg outdoes him again and again, both in legit scares and intensity, a perfect amount of humor sprinkled throughout that isn't cringe inducing, and a visual style all his own that is at times flat out dazzling. Even if the film hadn't been as successful as it is, the technical aspects are flawless. 🙌🙈

Still, there are some flaws to be found. 👻 It's increasingly evident that the frightening set pieces were at the forefront of importance when the script was being written, with the character and story depth taking a back seat.
👻 Though we do end up caring for these characters, it's mostly through their convincing performances rather than the writing itself.
👻 The origin story to the antagonist Diana feels rushed and a bit confused. We understand that something 'very bad happened' to her, and that there was some kind of accident. But unless I was zoning out, we don't get enough explanation as to what exactly happened and who she was, or why she turned out the way she did beyond the bare-minimum. There is a slight resemblance to Babadook, but not in a the thematic way.

The horror, the thrills were so good, i wanted it to last lil longer. But nevermind, it was worth all the hype. 👾

But the best is certainly saved for last. The final sequence is where the goods come and where the film raises itself up on onto another level. Take my word, it's absolutely relentless in its building intensity and some light humour ( only in the first half. ) 😻👏

The use of lighting is also tops, as the vicious monster can never appear in light, the different sources of light- from a lit candle, 🕯 a fluorescent black light, head lights, flashlights, even gun shots- are all used ingeniously. 🔦🕯🔥📱🔫
The same goes for the darkness, as every time a light bulb flickers, 💡or we are suddenly thrown into pitch black darkness, all one can do is hold their breath and grip their chair. As you know some bad news is about to go down. It really dives into that primal, childhood fear of the dark and may conjure up a few bad memories or two. I can't express it enough, the finale is worth the price. 🔦🕯🔥📱🔫

Background score is FLAWLESSLY TERRIFYING. The sound of the antagonist screeching her nails on the wooden flooring, scares your soul. 👻

The performances are power-packed.
💨 Special mention to Teresa Palmer (Rebecca) as the older sister. Her edginess, sincerity, and attitude all mixed well to craft a character that was easy to latch onto and root for.
💨 Also, Gabriel Bateman (Martin) as the young boy is a treat for the eyes with his smirks and expressions. 😉
💨 Maria Bello (Sophie) as the old mother, is convincing.

Comparing it to any other Horror releases this year, Lights Out is pure popcorn munching horror fun. Ridiculously entertaining, gorgeously executed, and just a great time at the theater.

David F. Sandberg, You The Mahn!🙌

Scarometer :- 85% 😱

Ratings :- 💀💀💀💀

✍ ♠PRIZMI TRIPATHI♠