Max Dark Horror Mystery Is One Of The Most Unsettling Psychological Terrors In Years
Every once in a while, an excellent movie comes along that simply refuses to fit into a single box. With blurred lines between genres, there’s no way to categorize these movies, and yet audiences leave the theater entranced, mystified, and stuck thinking about the movie for hours. The Lighthouse, a dark film that could be described as horror, thriller, mystery, character study, and so many other genres, is one of these films.
The Lighthouse Does Not Fit Neatly In One Genre
Directed by Robert Eggers and written by both Eggers and his brother Max Eggers, The Lighthouse is a haunting tale set against the backdrop of a remote New England outpost in the 1890s. At its core, the film is a story of isolation, madness, and the dark depths of the human psyche.
The Lighthouse follows Ephraim Winslow as he embarks on a four-week stint as a lighthouse keeper on a desolate island under the watchful eye of the enigmatic Thomas Wake. As the two men grapple with the harsh realities of their existence, they descend into a downward spiral of paranoia, hallucinations, and violence.
Dafoe And Pattinson Are Amazing
For a film as intense as The Lighthouse, it takes a cast no less than stellar to bring the darkness to life. Willem Dafoe delivers a tour-de-force performance as the grizzled and domineering Thomas Wake, while Robert Pattinson shines as the tormented and increasingly unhinged Ephraim Winslow. Their on-screen chemistry is electrifying as they navigate the shifting power dynamics and psychological warfare that define their tumultuous relationship.
Inspired By The Work Of Edgar Allan Poe
The Eggers brothers infused the Lighthouse with inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe, nineteenth-century maritime legends, and symbolist art. To complete the aesthetic, Robert Eggers decided to film the movie in black and white with a nearly square aspect ratio. This unique combination adds to the movie’s atmospheric and immersive quality, transporting viewers to a bygone era of maritime mystique.
Principal photography took place in Nova Scotia, Canada, where a 70-foot lighthouse set was constructed. The northern landscape of the filming location brought challenges to the production of The Lighthouse and the crew and talent worked against harsh weather conditions and remote isolation to create the visually stunning and emotionally resonant cinematic experience the movie eventually became.
A Massive Hit With Critics
Upon its release, The Lighthouse received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its direction, visuals, and performances. Critics hailed it as a darkly mesmerizing masterpiece, with Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praising Eggers’ “extraordinary skill” and ability to “lock you into the fever of what’s happening onscreen.” The movie holds a 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as a Certified Fresh feature by the aggregator’s score system.
A Tough Sell In Theaters
The Lighthouse had modest financial success. Produced by A24, Regency Enterprises, and RT Features, the film was a low-budget independent feature with only $11 million to play with. It made $18 million worldwide at the box office, solidifying its status as a successful feature, but by no means a box office blowout.
Worth Streaming On Max
At its core, The Lighthouse is a film that defies easy categorization, blending elements of horror, psychological thriller, and character study into a singularly captivating cinematic experience. Its rich symbolism, intricate mythology, and exploration of themes such as masculinity, sexuality, and existential dread invite viewers to dive deep into its mysterious depths.
From its haunting visuals to its evocative performances, The Lighthouse is a cinematic rollercoaster ride that leaves an unforgettable impression on audiences long after the credits roll. The film is available to stream on Max.
