81 minutes, Horror

A particular scene shown in the trailer for LIGHTS OUT, involving a woman repeatedly flicking a light switch off and on that reveals a very creepy-looking entity present in the darkened room, may look familiar to you. This same hair-raising scene was used in David F. Sandberg’s 2013 short film version of the same name. Now, adapted for the big screen and extending its running time from under 3 minutes, LIGHTS OUT stars Aussie Teresa Palmer (WARM BODIES, THE CHOICE) as Rebecca, who has moved out of her Mother’s (Maria Bello) residence where her much younger brother Martin (Gabriel Bateman) resides. When Martin begins to experience the same supernatural events Rebecca once did, the siblings work together to understand what this entity wants and what the connection is to their Mother.

Until the moment revelations regarding the entity and why it’s here are made, the popular live-action style of horror playing out is fairly stock standard in this day and age, yet undeniably effective. Its ability to reel you in and have you guessing certainly cannot be faltered. But what makes LIGHTS OUT more than just a consistent exercise in ongoing suspense is its clever elusiveness towards predictability. Just when you think you can foresee all developments unfolding clear as day, LIGHTS OUT fittingly flicks a switch and  leaves you in the dark. The conclusion is rather impressive and completely satisfying.

3 out of 5

LIGHTS OUT – Film Trailer

Viewer Discretion

M – Sustained threat, supernatural themes and some violence 

Moviedoc wishes to thank Alexandra from Roadshow Films and Roadshow Films for the complimentary in-season pass to view LIGHTS OUT.

Review by Moviedoc

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