I'm one of those movie freaks who cuddles up and cajoles a valiant effort especially from new filmmakers. David Sandberg is one of them. When I came across this movie and got to know that there was a short film already on that I immediately watched it. And I knew the world should welcome this talented filmmaker with open hands. I lived what James Wan did with insidious and conjuring series. And he should be appreciated for realizing the potential of Sandberg and he doesn't fail to live up to it.
I will get right to the point just like David.
Lights out has wonderful casting. Teresa Palmer probably has the role of her lifetime. Not only effortlessly pulling off gorgeous looks, she does also while being this tender, caring sista and daughter with a tormented past. Bateman though keeps a same expression whenever he sees the ghost and while being terrified. But he is apt. Maria Bello with those dark circles underneath eyes as psychologically influenced mother of two again with a troubled past soars above rest in whatever screen time she gets. DiePersia as Bret again keeps company with Palmer in a blink and you miss moments role. He gives the much needed comic relief throughout. And finally as Diane, the light fearing demon, played by Alicia Vela-Bailey (a stunt actress), is athletic to say the least if not as intimidating while looking in light than when lights are out.
Above Palmer, who is there right throughout the movie, Sandberg manages to tell a metaphysical demon's story and the family it troubles and scares the living daylights out of them in a most frightening and shortest way possible without compromising on any of the commercial elements required to relax the audience. For me the greatest joy was watching the movie in theater with an audience who shrieks, shouts, gasps and haunted by the ghost and its activities and applauds and shouts out to the smartness displayed by the cast, especially in the second half. Credit goes to Sandberg again for engaging with the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Despite taking inspiration from The Babadook, Mama and Hollow Man, Sandberg's story feels very original and the plot as intriguing as it should be for a horror movie. No wonder the makers of Annebelle 2 have entrusted him to be at the helm. With Eric Heisserer who himself has an impressive CV with the likes of The Thing and A Nightmare on Elm Street to his writing credits and an excellent cast (that probably trusted the director, a rarity) Lights Out does the act that is lost with horror genre, a self sustaining drum roll finish to an excellent prelude.
A blip or a downfall, I could point out is the demon itself. Biggest plus for the movie is its biggest minus. Blame it on the make up or the utter negligence, Diana looks yuck while watching under lights. Without it, she is something else. However, David treads the line carefully by just showing her in the shadows and let our minds conjure up the image. Which brings me to the technical aspect of the film. Marc Spicer cradling the camera shows obvious experience after working with Wan in Furoius 7 (Wan has really lent his everything to this movie). Benjamin Wallfisch providing the most important aspect to horror movies, the background music. It is just where it is required. I really loved the BGM when Rebecca (Palmer) encounters Diane under the neon lights in her room. Small things like these go a long way in making a movie that really depends on technical and directorial skills and cast performance and not much on backstory and explanation.
I would give a solid 8/10 to Sandberg's first full fledged movie and while expecting similar goose bump and jump from seat ride.
After Lights Out I'm more intrigued to watch Sandberg other short films (Attic Panic, Closet Space)and only wish there will be production houses will come out with grander versions of it, with him at the helm only.
I will get right to the point just like David.
Lights out has wonderful casting. Teresa Palmer probably has the role of her lifetime. Not only effortlessly pulling off gorgeous looks, she does also while being this tender, caring sista and daughter with a tormented past. Bateman though keeps a same expression whenever he sees the ghost and while being terrified. But he is apt. Maria Bello with those dark circles underneath eyes as psychologically influenced mother of two again with a troubled past soars above rest in whatever screen time she gets. DiePersia as Bret again keeps company with Palmer in a blink and you miss moments role. He gives the much needed comic relief throughout. And finally as Diane, the light fearing demon, played by Alicia Vela-Bailey (a stunt actress), is athletic to say the least if not as intimidating while looking in light than when lights are out.
Above Palmer, who is there right throughout the movie, Sandberg manages to tell a metaphysical demon's story and the family it troubles and scares the living daylights out of them in a most frightening and shortest way possible without compromising on any of the commercial elements required to relax the audience. For me the greatest joy was watching the movie in theater with an audience who shrieks, shouts, gasps and haunted by the ghost and its activities and applauds and shouts out to the smartness displayed by the cast, especially in the second half. Credit goes to Sandberg again for engaging with the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Despite taking inspiration from The Babadook, Mama and Hollow Man, Sandberg's story feels very original and the plot as intriguing as it should be for a horror movie. No wonder the makers of Annebelle 2 have entrusted him to be at the helm. With Eric Heisserer who himself has an impressive CV with the likes of The Thing and A Nightmare on Elm Street to his writing credits and an excellent cast (that probably trusted the director, a rarity) Lights Out does the act that is lost with horror genre, a self sustaining drum roll finish to an excellent prelude.
A blip or a downfall, I could point out is the demon itself. Biggest plus for the movie is its biggest minus. Blame it on the make up or the utter negligence, Diana looks yuck while watching under lights. Without it, she is something else. However, David treads the line carefully by just showing her in the shadows and let our minds conjure up the image. Which brings me to the technical aspect of the film. Marc Spicer cradling the camera shows obvious experience after working with Wan in Furoius 7 (Wan has really lent his everything to this movie). Benjamin Wallfisch providing the most important aspect to horror movies, the background music. It is just where it is required. I really loved the BGM when Rebecca (Palmer) encounters Diane under the neon lights in her room. Small things like these go a long way in making a movie that really depends on technical and directorial skills and cast performance and not much on backstory and explanation.
I would give a solid 8/10 to Sandberg's first full fledged movie and while expecting similar goose bump and jump from seat ride.
After Lights Out I'm more intrigued to watch Sandberg other short films (Attic Panic, Closet Space)and only wish there will be production houses will come out with grander versions of it, with him at the helm only.
