Review of Lights Out (2016) by Thequietgamer — 23 Dec 2016

It's got three things going for it that help elevate it above the average modern horror flick. They are it's unique concept, brisk pacing, and the most likable horror movie boyfriend ever. The only real problem it's got is a lack of scares.

I can't praise the inventive use of the movie's core concept enough. There are quite a few clever moments involving the specters sensitivity to light. The final act is a tense game of cat and mouse where everybody involved is using quick thinking to survive. These aren't your average horror movie idiots. The characters are pretty crafty with their efforts to survive and the ghost is downright ruthless. Despite all of that though, it's not a scary movie. These entity tormenting these characters isn't very frightening in appearance and results to the same hide, seek, and pop out tactics from time to time that we see all of the time. There are inventive scenarios, but this is more of a thriller and less of a horror movie. The story itself isn't bad. It uses a believable scenario to ensure that these characters come together. The problem is that it all feels a little too predictable. I was basically able to see how things were going to conclude early on. Not too mention it skips out on some potentially interesting information, like how exactly the entity "Diana" is able to live on, and details on how exactly her death took place. I mean, we know what went wrong, we just don't get to know how or why.

The characters are well-written though. They act believable, not to just the situation they are currently in, but based on the situations they had already experienced. For example in Teressa Palmer's character you really see the effects her childhood had on her. The standout character though Alexander DiPersia. Usually the boyfriend in horror movies is just flat out unlikable to the point where you can't wait to see him die. DiPersia plays a cool and sweet guy. The polar opposite of what we expect from this role. As a result I really found myself caring for his character and rooting for him to make it out.

Lights Out could be better. No doubt about it. It's not scary and not entirely satisfying in the plot department. Yet it's characters are strong enough and concept original enough to make it worth watching, because both are capitalized so well. It also stands out as one of the more original modern horror movies out there. So this is definitely worth a watch for genre aficionados and enthusiasts. Everyone else can also be left pretty satisfied with what is just a pretty good horror film.