What Robert Eggers has done here is somehow magically marvellous. He's utilized classic filmmaking techniques of times gone past, including cinematography, editing and direction to craft a film that could have been made in the 1940s, but still feels refreshingly modern.
The haunting sound of the lighthouse foghorn, the sound coming from the lighthouse machinery and the natural sounds from the wind and the sea help bring this contained setting alive just as well as the many moments of pure silence. The sound design and editing have been carefully matched with the visual trickery to form a whole narrative of its own.
The music is probably the most haunting thing about this film. It's dark and ominous, and while it sounds like something out from a Hitchcock film it still feels more like something we've never heard before. It also complements the film and its psychologically demanding sequences well.
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson both carry out career-defining roles. Willem Dafoe has never been scarier or more intense and Pattinson finally shows his dramatic acting skills - and trust me, he is better than what he receives credit for. Most importantly, though, these two actors manage to singlehandedly carry the weight of the entire film from start to finish by complementing and challenging each other. Dafoe has the best soliloquy sequences, while Pattinson has the best moments of expressive acting.
The contrast between the perfectly mundane scenes with the characters working or having a conversation and the intense sequences of psychological horror make this movie atmospheric and tense, as you never quite know what to expect behind the next turn.
Most importantly, you can almost feel the pain, agony and loneliness connected to the work and experiences these people go through. You don't know exactly who is going crazy or whether it's both of them, but you know that it’s not easy living and working on that godforsaken rock.
I love how the acting turns more intense and the dialogue more bizarre as the film moves on. Robert Pattinson turns better and better as we near the end.
The last act goes all out The Shining on the audience as our two protagonists descend into madness and turn against each other, finally turning the tables from the original set-up.
The Bad:
The basic premise of this film doesn't carry until the end. The final 40 minutes or so are out of juice resulting in a slightly overlong experience.
This might be one of those films that require multiple viewings to fully grasp. I don't know if there's supposed to be a deeper meaning to this film since the main plot is fairly thin and doesn't evolve a lot throughout the film.
The Ugly:
That night the Green Goblin and the Batman shared their life experiences.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-11-20T07:38:50Z
THE WACPINE OF 'THE LIGHTHOUSE'
WRITING: 8
ATMOSPHERE: 9
CHARACTERS: 10
PRODUCTION: 10
INTRIGUE: 8
NOVELTY: 7
ENJOYMENT: 8
The Good:
What Robert Eggers has done here is somehow magically marvellous. He's utilized classic filmmaking techniques of times gone past, including cinematography, editing and direction to craft a film that could have been made in the 1940s, but still feels refreshingly modern.
The haunting sound of the lighthouse foghorn, the sound coming from the lighthouse machinery and the natural sounds from the wind and the sea help bring this contained setting alive just as well as the many moments of pure silence. The sound design and editing have been carefully matched with the visual trickery to form a whole narrative of its own.
The music is probably the most haunting thing about this film. It's dark and ominous, and while it sounds like something out from a Hitchcock film it still feels more like something we've never heard before. It also complements the film and its psychologically demanding sequences well.
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson both carry out career-defining roles. Willem Dafoe has never been scarier or more intense and Pattinson finally shows his dramatic acting skills - and trust me, he is better than what he receives credit for. Most importantly, though, these two actors manage to singlehandedly carry the weight of the entire film from start to finish by complementing and challenging each other. Dafoe has the best soliloquy sequences, while Pattinson has the best moments of expressive acting.
The contrast between the perfectly mundane scenes with the characters working or having a conversation and the intense sequences of psychological horror make this movie atmospheric and tense, as you never quite know what to expect behind the next turn.
Most importantly, you can almost feel the pain, agony and loneliness connected to the work and experiences these people go through. You don't know exactly who is going crazy or whether it's both of them, but you know that it’s not easy living and working on that godforsaken rock.
I love how the acting turns more intense and the dialogue more bizarre as the film moves on. Robert Pattinson turns better and better as we near the end.
The last act goes all out The Shining on the audience as our two protagonists descend into madness and turn against each other, finally turning the tables from the original set-up.
The Bad:
The basic premise of this film doesn't carry until the end. The final 40 minutes or so are out of juice resulting in a slightly overlong experience.
This might be one of those films that require multiple viewings to fully grasp. I don't know if there's supposed to be a deeper meaning to this film since the main plot is fairly thin and doesn't evolve a lot throughout the film.
The Ugly:
That night the Green Goblin and the Batman shared their life experiences.
WACPINE RATING: 8.57 / 10 = 4,5 stars