LIGHTS OUT (2016)

Summary:

The supernatural horror film "Lights Out" introduces Rebecca, a young woman who has long been estranged from her mentally unstable mother, Sophie. Her younger half-brother, Martin, begins to experience the same terrifying phenomenon that haunted Rebecca during her own childhood: a malevolent entity that only manifests in the dark. This creature, known as Diana, shares a sinister and possessive bond with Sophie, feeding on her depression and isolating her from the world.

As Martin's fear intensifies and his well-being is threatened, Rebecca is forced to return to her childhood home, confronting not only her mother's deteriorating mental state but also the spectral presence of Diana. She delves into her family's past, uncovering the tragic and disturbing origins of Diana and the parasitic nature of her connection to Sophie. Rebecca, Martin, and Rebecca's boyfriend, Bret, must fight for their lives against Diana, who grows stronger with every shadow and targets anyone who attempts to bring light, literal or metaphorical, into Sophie's dark world.

Keywords: Lights Out, 2016, Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello, Horror, Supernatural, Ghost, Darkness.

Plot:

The film opens in a textile factory where Paul, the owner, is working late. He sees a shadowy, skeletal figure in the darkness of the warehouse. His assistant, Emma, warns him about the strange occurrences, but dismisses it as his imagination. As Paul prepares to leave, the lights flicker and die, plunging the factory into oppressive darkness. The shadowy entity, Diana, manifests fully, its gaunt form visible only in the absence of light. Paul frantically tries to turn on the lights, but Diana is too fast, too aggressive. She corners him in the dark, and his terrified screams are abruptly silenced as the lights finally come back on, revealing only Paul's mangled corpse.

Meanwhile, Rebecca, a young woman living independently and somewhat estranged from her family, receives a call from Child Protective Services. Her younger half-brother, Martin, has been falling asleep in class, exhausted and terrified. Martin lives with their mother, Sophie, who suffers from severe depression. Martin reveals that Sophie has been talking to an imaginary friend named Diana, a friend who only appears when the lights are out and is becoming increasingly hostile. He describes seeing the same shadowy figure that killed Paul, a creature with long, claw-like fingers and glowing eyes, a creature that is afraid of light. Rebecca, remembering her own traumatic childhood experiences with a similar entity, immediately understands the gravity of the situation. She takes Martin to her apartment, determined to protect him and uncover the truth behind Diana.

Rebecca’s investigation begins by searching through old family photos and Sophie's medical records. She discovers that Sophie spent time in a mental institution as a child, where she befriended a young girl named Diana. Diana suffered from an extremely rare skin condition that made her painfully photosensitive, forcing her to live in perpetual darkness. During an experimental treatment involving intense light exposure, Diana tragically died. However, her spirit did not pass on; instead, it became inextricably tethered to Sophie, manifesting whenever Sophie's depression was at its lowest and the lights went out. Rebecca realizes Diana is a parasitic entity, feeding on Sophie's sorrow and manipulating her to stay isolated in darkness, viewing anyone who tries to help Sophie or bring light into her life as a threat.

As Rebecca delves deeper, the attacks from Diana escalate. Rebecca's boyfriend, Bret, initially skeptical of her supernatural claims, is forced to confront Diana firsthand. During a visit to Sophie's house, Bret witnesses Diana's terrifying appearance and aggressive nature when the lights go out, convincing him of the entity's reality. Diana becomes increasingly bold, targeting Martin and Rebecca directly. She traps Martin in the house, cuts off power, and uses her supernatural strength to throw objects and inflict harm. The house becomes a battleground of light and shadow, with Diana constantly attempting to plunge the environment into darkness to gain the upper hand. Rebecca and Martin try to stay awake, rigging their rooms with lamps, flashlights, and even blacklights, but Diana's power over the electrical system and her ability to manipulate Sophie make their efforts tenuous.

The climax unfolds as Diana launches a full-scale assault on the family. She manipulates the power grid, plunging the entire house into complete darkness. Rebecca, Martin, and Bret are cornered, desperately using whatever light sources they have to keep Diana at bay. Diana, enraged, hunts them through the darkened house, her terrifying form flickering in and out of existence as they scramble to turn on lights. She corners Rebecca and Martin in the basement, cutting off their escape. It becomes clear that Diana will stop at nothing to eliminate anyone who threatens her bond with Sophie. In a heartbreaking moment of clarity and profound sacrifice, Sophie realizes that Diana will never truly leave as long as she herself is alive, and that her children will never be safe. To sever Diana's connection to the living world and save Rebecca and Martin, Sophie takes her own life. With Sophie's death, Diana, whose existence was intrinsically linked to Sophie, dissipates into nothingness, finally vanquished.

In the aftermath, Rebecca and Martin are safe, but profoundly traumatized. The house is silent, the oppressive darkness replaced by a quiet, empty stillness. The ordeal has forged a new, stronger bond between the siblings, but the psychological scars of their encounter with Diana will undoubtedly remain. The film ends with Rebecca holding Martin close, the quiet horror of their experience lingering in the air, a stark reminder of the darkness that once lurked just beyond the light.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Teresa Palmer as Rebecca
• Gabriel Bateman as Martin
• Maria Bello as Sophie
• Billy Burke as Paul
• Alexander DiPersia as Bret
• Alicia Vela-Bailey as Diana (creature)

Crew:

• Director: David F. Sandberg
• Writers: Eric Heisserer (screenplay by), David F. Sandberg (based on the short film by)
• Producers: Lawrence Grey, James Wan, Eric Heisserer
• Cinematography: Marc Spicer
• Editor: Michel Aller
• Composer: Benjamin Wallfisch

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: July 22, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Horror, Thriller, Supernatural
• Running Time: 81 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Wide-Release Film (2017)