“If you’ve ever wondered why kids want a night-light……you’ll get it now!”

Playing off one of the most common fears shared by millions, comes the clever and creepy 2016 film Lights Out.  Co-written by Eric Heisserer and director David F. Sandberg in his first full length feature film, Lights Out is sure to get under even the thickest skin of any viewer! Based on the success of Sandberg’s short film of the same name, and produced by the new face of horror James Wan, the movie grabs you from the opening frame and never lets go!

THE PLOT

Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) is a young woman trying to live life on her own.  She seems to be struggling with some unresolved issues with her estranged mother Sophie (Maria Bello), and a somewhat complicated relationship with her boyfriend Bret (Alexander DiPersia).  After thinking she’s successfully broken free from her troubled childhood, she receives a call from her brother Martin’s (Gabriel Bateman) school.  They inform her that he is very sleep deprived and clearly troubled by the unstable behavior of their mother, triggering CPS to get involved.  When Rebecca and Bret take Martin home, Rebecca discovers that her mother is clearly an emotional wreck and has been neglecting to take her anti-depression meds due to the recent tragic loss of her husband.  Martin tells his sister that his sleepless nights are the result of their mother’s relationship with a supernatural being from the past known as Diana.  Clearly shaken by this information, Rebecca decides to take Martin home with her until their mother can “get it together”.  When the mystery of Diana becomes a reality, Rebecca digs deeper into her mother’s past and starts to put the pieces together.  She quickly discovers that her childhood fears are now being shared by her little brother, and their only means of safety from the wrath of Diana is to stay in the light!

SHOULD YOU SEE IT?

In my opinion, Lights Out is a fun and very creepy flick!  I’ve never really been “afraid” of the dark, but this film can really mess with your head.  It’s not a perfect film, and some viewers may find it scary, while others may not.  It relies on a lot of well timed jump scares.  Some of which are predictable, but others, even I didn’t see coming. It’s a movie that’s sure to give any viewer an uneasy feeling if they find themselves struggling to find a light switch in a dark room!