The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse

Movie spotlight

The Lighthouse

2017
Movie
20 min
Norwegian

Sverre is a kindhearted but taciturn lighthouse keeper who lives alone on the isolated Hvaløya Island. Early one May morning, Sverre gets an unexpected guest, who forces him to face his past.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic83/100
Google Users88%
Director: Robert EggersGenres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

Two lighthouse keepers descend into madness while tending a remote lighthouse on a mysterious island in 1890s New England. As they struggle with isolation, the harsh elements, and each other, their grip on reality erodes. Strange visions and unsettling events plague their days and nights, blurring the lines between the natural and the supernatural.

Critical Reception

The Lighthouse was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its striking black-and-white cinematography, atmospheric tension, and the powerful performances of its lead actors. Critics lauded Robert Eggers's distinct directorial vision and the film's unsettling descent into psychological horror. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its unique style and disturbing themes, while others found it overly opaque and challenging.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its distinctive black-and-white cinematography and intense, claustrophobic atmosphere.

  • Lauded for the commanding performances of Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.

  • Noted for its challenging, surreal narrative and descent into madness.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's unique artistic style and the compelling performances of the cast. Many found the unsettling atmosphere and psychological horror elements to be effective, though some noted its abstract nature could be polarizing.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Won awards at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sitges Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely on 35mm black-and-white film using vintage lenses to evoke the look of early cinema.

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