The Lighthouse Review

The new psychological horror film The Lighthouse from writer/director Robert Eggers is a brilliant and original film that’s executed flawlessly. Stunningly shot on 35mm black and white film and framed in a square 1.19:1 aspect ratio, Eggers arresting vision is mesmerizing and unpredictable, an achievement that increasingly provokes, confuses, and entices with every shot of misery, madness, and dread. Lead by two transcendent performances by both Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse is an intense and intoxicating feast for the senses and a sophomore effort from Eggers that solidifies him as one of the most unique and defying creators of cinema today.

The Lighthouse is the tale of two lighthouse keepers, Thomas and Ephraim, as they helm their post on a mysterious island in New England during the 1890s. As storms rage and time passes, the men start to experience hallucinatory and hypnotic events, testing their mental solitude through moments of fear, loneliness, and distrust.

Shot in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, The Lighthouse captures the rich detail of the small island chillingly, creating and polarizing and atmospheric tone that never fails to keep the audience enthralled. The jaw-dropping cinematography by Jarin Blaschke elevates each scene into visual buffets of waterlogged and miserable sets that breath life into the world. Every step taken to ensure that each element of the film remains as authentic to the period as possible is phenomenal and remarkably accomplished, with set design and sublime of-era dialogue that adds a rare layer of realism that is not often achieved in period piece films.

A surprising success in the incredible script written by the Eggers brothers is the films use of comedic relief, blending it perfectly with the haunting atmosphere and events in a way the never makes the scene lose any tension, instead executing it in a way that feels multi-dimensional, creating light jokes scattered throughout that adds texture to the lives and desires of the characters. Fortified by invigorating and career-best performances and production design that keeps every moment intense and rising with palpable tension.

Ultimately, the sheer originality and purposeful execution of The Lighthouse forms a chaotic and scenic journey that’s compelling and fun to become immersed in. Every element from the production design to the captivating narrative choices works together like an orchestra, blending concurrently to a slow descent into madness that is phenomenal to experience. Eggers sophomore feature film is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Masterfully shot and performed, Robert Eggers The Lighthouse is a visually searing and inventive psychological horror film that’s unlike any film of the genre.

Produced By: A24
Runtime: 110 minutes
Rating: R