The Lighthouse

A24 | Release Date: October 18, 2019

8.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 605 Ratings

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User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

TheEventsOf1989Dec 28, 2019

Even with good performances and unique visuals, upon later opinions and reflections I realized the story undoubtedly writes its way into a corner. Once everything is established, the characters only finish the dark path they started on, andEven with good performances and unique visuals, upon later opinions and reflections I realized the story undoubtedly writes its way into a corner. Once everything is established, the characters only finish the dark path they started on, and the story reveals unfortunately discontinue. Story is the basis of film, without it, style becomes unsavory flavor.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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imthenoobApr 18, 2020

It's the kind of movie that will divide people. While the performances, directing and cinematography were good, There were a few problems I had with it. The plot was pretty bare, the movie ran a bit too long for my tastes and it felt likeIt's the kind of movie that will divide people. While the performances, directing and cinematography were good, There were a few problems I had with it. The plot was pretty bare, the movie ran a bit too long for my tastes and it felt like there was never a moment I was truly into it. I just sort of watched it and that was it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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zacharyhasDec 26, 2019

Shot, acted and directed with skill, The Lighthouse is very atmsopheric but it's ambiguous choices near the end parallel some elements of the VVitch (among other films) a little too much to be truly revolutionary.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Ericio22Aug 9, 2020

Just because something is shot in a way that makes it stand out doesn't make it good.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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TejasNairOct 25, 2019

The Lighthouse, a quirky little haunting English drama about two lighthouse keepers who spiral into self-induced (does the cold weather's contribution signify something?) paranoia characterized by bouts of energetic dance and singingThe Lighthouse, a quirky little haunting English drama about two lighthouse keepers who spiral into self-induced (does the cold weather's contribution signify something?) paranoia characterized by bouts of energetic dance and singing performances and bromance and 30-second long monologues (one each by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson; former wins) did not much impress me not because of the fan-fan-fantastic production setup or the arresting music by Mark Korven or the black-and-white frames that sometime make it difficult to follow scenes but because it takes a lot of time to get to the point and has, like, only quarter a dozen scenes that are going to stay with me till the end of my life. TN.

(Watched and reviewed at its India premiere at the 21st MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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moviecritic68Nov 8, 2019

Wish I could get as excited over this film as others have described but I put a lot of emphasis on exiting audiences expressions. What I saw was relief it was over. I had my hands full just urging my spouse to hang in until the end. Very lowWish I could get as excited over this film as others have described but I put a lot of emphasis on exiting audiences expressions. What I saw was relief it was over. I had my hands full just urging my spouse to hang in until the end. Very low budget since the whole film was shot in one location. The actors did their best but I'm not much on cult films. So I guess it's one of those films you will either really like or just the opposite.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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Compi24Nov 5, 2019

One of the year's most confounding watches for me -- not in that the film itself was confusing, but more in relation to my overall feelings regarding it. This movie has everything I could've possibly asked for. Brilliant cinematography andOne of the year's most confounding watches for me -- not in that the film itself was confusing, but more in relation to my overall feelings regarding it. This movie has everything I could've possibly asked for. Brilliant cinematography and set design. Incrediblly authentic and period-immersive performances. Unprompted farting. I should be fawning all over this. Instead, I'm left feeling empty and a little uncaring. Perhaps it's the inner normie inside me, yearning for just a little nudge in the direction of what I'm supposed to make of all this. Not a big hint. Just enough of an indication that my guess as to what this movie's really about is on the right track. Alas, I'm left with neverending possibility. And, while some may find this fact comforting or even exciting, it leads me to simply cling to my best (and only) guess and move on to the next thing. Maybe that'll have more to offer.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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LamontRaymondOct 18, 2019

There are plenty of interesting moments, cool imagery, and even some funny dialogue, but this film is just too dense, and, dare to say, too boring. It feels like watching Melville's Billy Budd or the like. The acting is excellent, butThere are plenty of interesting moments, cool imagery, and even some funny dialogue, but this film is just too dense, and, dare to say, too boring. It feels like watching Melville's Billy Budd or the like. The acting is excellent, but there's simply not much for them to work with. I should have realized that I would have this reaction because I loathed this director's The Witch. This is far superior to that movie, but it's not one that I'd EVER recommend.… Expand

4 of 14 users found this helpful410

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GLADIADORJan 13, 2020

Filme chato e muito cansativo, as unicas coisas que se salvam nesse filme é a atuação do willem dafoe e do robert pattinson e o visual do filme

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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MarkHReviewsOct 30, 2019

Writer/Director Robert Eggers (“The Witch,” 2015) has created a fever dream of a film. A lighthouse keeper (Willem Dafoe) and his helper (Robert Pattinson) arrive on a tiny, remote island to staff a lighthouse for the next four weeks. TheyWriter/Director Robert Eggers (“The Witch,” 2015) has created a fever dream of a film. A lighthouse keeper (Willem Dafoe) and his helper (Robert Pattinson) arrive on a tiny, remote island to staff a lighthouse for the next four weeks. They work, they drink (a lot) and, soon enough, one or both of them begin a torturous descent into madness.

“The Lighthouse” is catnip for the art house crowd. The film is shot in 35mm black-and-white with an aspect ratio of 1.19:1 (this means the projected image is only 19% wider than its height), the projected images a boxy, noirish, claustrophobic tone. As a result, one of the most memorable elements of the entire film is its gritty, stark cinematography. If there’s any justice in the world, Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke, who partnered with Eggers on “The Witch,” should easily receive an Oscar nomination for his efforts. Because of the emphasis on the visuals, the script is spare – several minutes and two long farts have passed before a word is spoken.

On the screen, this is literally a two-person effort (the only other credited actor is a non-speaking mermaid whose scenes are as disturbing as they are brief). In fact, the only other characters of note in the film are seagulls. According to Director Eggers, three main stunt seagulls – Lady, Tramp and Johnny – were flown in from the UK to lend their expertise, seriously. Fortunately, the primary characters are totally worth the price of admission. Together and alone, Dafoe (“The Florida Project,” 133 acting credits, and counting) and Pattinson (showing depth and range never expected during his rise to fame with the “Twilight Saga”) are excellent. Each draws the audience close in every scene, then dares you to look away.

What this movie is about is another matter altogether. Before and since the film’s release, Eggers has been frustratingly elusive about his intentions. At every opportunity, he simply suggests that this is a ghost story set in a lighthouse off the coast of Maine in the late 19th century. Despite my public elementary and secondary education, I picked out a clear allusion to Prometheus and a couple of Herman Melville references. In a brief conversation after the film, a cinephile well above my pay grade told me she had picked up another dozen references from literature and other films. I left the theater dazzled but bewildered.

If David Lynch had a love child with one of the original writers of Greek mythology, “The Lighthouse” might well be the result.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Willywonka180Jan 26, 2021

The Lighthouse could have been better. Plus I took away many stars cause they literally showed cum.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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akshatmahajanAug 30, 2020

This mind twisting movie was unbearable for me especially after first half. The cinematography was good and acting by the both actors was also good. This movie was one time watch and you will be not able to bear this movie second time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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MiracleBeamSep 4, 2023

A24 seems to be the home of middington, yet overrated directors. Premise and beginnings are foreboding, however the screenplay is far too wordy & the direction suffers, there's simply no room for suspense or even exposition. Creatively theA24 seems to be the home of middington, yet overrated directors. Premise and beginnings are foreboding, however the screenplay is far too wordy & the direction suffers, there's simply no room for suspense or even exposition. Creatively the premise is stunted art for arts sake; it drifts aimlessly in political and ahistorical limbo and has no greater meaning. Thus, is filler in much the same way grindhouse was drivethru filler due to the lack of investment in Hollywood, during the 70's (the big TV push).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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