Lights Out on Amazon Prime — Nothing Is Always Scarier
Horror movies are like an odd hybrid between detective stories and manifesting core fears that we all have. Despite my habit of watching horror movies in the middle of the night with the lights off, I continue to be scared of the entire concept of ghosts and related unreal entities.
As I grow older, it is becoming harder and harder for me get scared. I suppose that is only natural. I watch so many movies, I am now familiar with all tropes related to horror movies. That means, I see the jump scare or the horror twist coming a few seconds before it actually happens.
I say all this, because, I found Lights Out, a very intelligent and well done movie. It is a ‘logical’ horror story if that can be even be described as such.
Simple Premise Smart Characters
Last year, I was isolated from everybody and staying in a large house with 5 big rooms for almost 3 months due to the strict lock down in my country. After 11 PM, when even the faintest of sounds died down in my neighborhood, I would constantly freak out. I would see images and people and hallucinations where none exist.
I kept thinking that there were people moving all over the house, the moment the lights went out. Of course, when you turn on the lights, there is nothing there. You cannot see in the dark. So, really, there is nothing you can do to verify if something is walking around in the dark.
Like, something could be standing next to you. You would have no idea. Ghosts dont breath. So…It’s scary.
That’s the concept of this movie. It’s so simple, and its an easy sell. I even looked up and watched the original 2 minute ‘short film’ the director made. It’s inventive and I am impressed.
Then comes the approach to realism. I found the characters to be mostly smart and logical. You dont find that often in ghost movies. Slasher movies are meant to reflect the mental state of a person under stress. With ghost movies, there is an element of interlude. Ghosts don’t attack during day time, waiting for the night.
That means, the characters have time to think and prepare. Find ways to defend themselves. Then, this ghost — which is actually a person from a science experiment, making things even more logical — has an obvious weakness about light, like a vampire. The characters interact, discuss and plan things out. Find a way to fight back.
Also, for once, we have a boyfriend, who is not an idiot. Is also very caring and concerned. That’s a rare character to have in a movie.
Final Note
All said and done, we have one of the most truly unique, serious and well crafted scary movie here.
It’s also an inspiring story for the director. This guy made a 2 minute YouTube and now is making movies in Hollywood. That’s pretty awesome.
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