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Writer's pictureSam Ward

The Lighthouse: A Review.

Robert Eggers, 2019


Contains small spoilers!


The Lighthouse is a film about 2 lighthouse keepers (Willem Defoe and Robert Pattinson) based in the 1890's, but my god is it way more than that. I wanted to watch a film that is a little bit different. Something that grabbed my attention. So when I heard of a film shot entirely in black and white, on a 1.19:1 ratio (a near square frame), consisting of 2 cast members stuck on a lighthouse in the 1800's, I think the word different summed this up perfectly.


The film's incredible imagery and intense dialogue complimented each other perfectly, and made for awe inspiring yet uncomfortable viewing. The two lighthouse keepers only have each other to talk to, and since they are already a little unhinged, they start to go a bit crazy.


It's clear Robert Eggers, the director, loves film making. This is only his second film to date, and to be this experimental this early on is bold, but it really pays off. I love a film that's experimental, and arty, so this was one of my favourite movies that I've watched recently. Pattinson also gives probably the best performance of his career too, and its so clear he is doing all he can to erase 'Twilight' from peoples mind, and become almost a completely new actor. This movie definitely puts Pattinson in a different bracket now, and will for certain reignite his career.


The two characters are complete opposites, Pattinson's character Ephraim Winslow is very mysterious at first, and doesn't like to talk. Unfortunately for Winslow, Dafoe's character Thomas Wake, DOES like to talk a lot, and often berates Winslow, being the older much more experienced keeper. This causes Winslow to slowly come out of his shell a little bit and, due to the situation they find themselves in, he slowly loses his mind. Again this is portrayed incredibly by Pattinson. He is able to emanate just about every single human emotion you could have. Ranging from quiet mysterious gloom, to borderline insanity. Willem Defoe also in my opinion showing off one of his best performances too. A film like this, with just two cast members, can often bring out the absolute best of actors, but can also fail, this certainly didn't fail.


The film is also surprisingly funny. It fell into many genres, and had a lot of different themes and elements. It had horror elements, thriller elements, fantasy elements and was also incredibly psychological, however Eggers still found a way to add some comedy in there too, in a dark, bleak humorous way. The Lighthouse also was never boring. It ran for just under 2 hours and I was constantly engaged, and tense throughout thanks to some stunning visuals, some shocking, some funny, some mind-bending. I wasn't bored at all, even though its just two crazy people on an island, talking to each other mainly, and again that is credit to the director, and the 2 incredible performances.


I loved the fact that if 10 people were to watch this film, all 10 could leave with different interpretations and thoughts on it, and in a good way too, rather than just "I liked it" or "I didn't like it". If you like a film to give you the plot, in a simple manner with all the answers to your questions just given to you, this isn't for you. However, I always have loved films that leave you thinking, analysing, and making up your own answers to it. See Enemy, Denis Villeneuve, 2013 for a similar theme of leaving you thinking.



Without giving major spoilers, the film touches a lot on Greek Mythology, and has a lot to do with power, especially as men. The two guys go through a lot of power struggles throughout and Eggers uses the power of his shots and imagery to communicate that theme.


Again I won't spoil it, but the ending is going to confuse a lot of people and leave viewers scratching their heads, but like I said this isn't a movie that is going to give you all the answers. Whenever films do that it can leave the audiences head pretty quickly, and its clear to see that the makers of the Lighthouse didn't want this. This will give it longevity and make people want to watch it again, just maybe not straight after, you'll understand. The ambiguity of the movie plays a big part of making this a great movie, because if you strip the whole 'what is is about?' it's still a movie about two men, trapped on an island, going crazy, and the movie makes you feel that way, with its intense visuals, the score, the performances and the editing.


A movie like The Lighthouse doesn't come along all too often. It isn't what anyone would called mainstream, and it isn't especially alternative to the mainstream really, its just an arty, yet unpretentious film, and is easily one of the best I've seen in a long long time. Its been a while since I've watched a film that's kept me as engaged as this one.


I really do recommend this film, but like I said, this isn't your normal movie, its one that will leave you thinking, and head scratching and that may frustrate some of you, so just keep that in mind . However, that feeling is something that I love about films like this.


My Rating: 10/10



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