Review of Lights Out (2016) by Bob W — 20 Nov 2016
Great concept expanded from the original short film. What ensues is desperation to find ways to keep the lights on. I find a number of modern fright films make good metaphors for experiencing very real societal and personal fears--The Babadook does this for profound grief, It Follows does the same for STDs and by extension other themes, etc.
Lights Out does this for me with the fear that surrounds some forms of mental illness such as perhaps schizophrenia. (I say this with sensitivity that all three examples I provide are again very real struggles to manage and overcome for many people, and not at all entertainment or fuel for detached philosophical musings.
) But herein lies some of the power of the New Horror, unlike the old undying slasher, science induced or even supernatural themed monsters. The vague sense of growing distress doesn't derive from fantasy creatures we can walk away from when we leave the theater but upon truly primal terror that hits close to home for all too many.
This review of Lights Out (2016) was written by Bob W on 20 Nov 2016.
Lights Out has generally received positive reviews.
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