The Lighthouse (2019)
Though his style likely isn't for everyone, I must say that to me writer/director, Robert Eggers, is a pretty fucking cool guy. The Lighthouse is Eggers follow up to his fantastic, family-driven, nightmarish folk tale, The Witch (a must-see for all horror fans). In a similar vein, The Lighthouse is another psychological horror/thriller period piece that is about two lighthouse keepers, or
wickies, as they're called, who work on an isolated lighthouse that sits atop a rocky outcrop constantly battered by poor conditions and extreme storms. Like the best psychological horror, The Lighthouse is a downward spiral: it starts off normal enough but, like the psyches of our wickies, things slowly begin to derail as forces both natural and unnatural seep into their lives and haunt them from the inside out.
Willem Dafoe plays the veteran keeper; the nature of the job has clearly taken its toll over the years and he may be hiding some insider knowledge of the true machinations of the lighthouse. On the other side is Robert Pattinson's Winslow, the greenhorn worker everyman who acts as the audience's eyes in discovering the secrets of the lighthouse. The two men are the only faces in the film and, in that, both Dafoe and Pattinson are easily able to carry the weight of the film and its increasingly-heavy story. They both commit fully and their transitions from comedy to terror, camaraderie to treachery, are natural and exhilarating to behold. Both actors are able to tap into an unearthliness that perfectly fits this kind of story. There is something about Dafoe's versatility in particular (and he has shown it many times in the past) - perhaps specifically in his infinitely expressive and manic eyes - that allows him to change from likeable to terrifying in an instant that fits so incredibly well here.
Eggers inspired choice of filming in black and white and with a letterbox aspect ratio work equally well here. This combination creates a tangible feeling of claustrophobia mirroring the seclusion of the island and desperation of our characters. It also adds to the uncanny and unearthly tone of the film, preventing us from being able to adequately nail down time or place of the story (though, as Eggers likes to do, he gives many crumbs as to reasonable possibilities). Egger's predictably many inspirations are also littered through the film and it is a joy trying to piece them all together. In the cinematography one can find elements of the old horror films (Hammer and Universal Monster series), and plotwise and in various imagery there are clear elements of old folk tales (obviously), mythology, classical artwork, and some gothic fairytales and books, such as HP Lovecraft.
I have previously talked about how Eggers and BFF, Ari Aster, are two of my favourite and (I think) most exciting contemporary horror directors. Having now seen The Lighthouse I can reaffirm that statement. Even though its arguably arthouse-y style may not connect with some audiences, I still wholeheartedly recommend that people go out and see this film. The Lighthouse features powerhouse performances by two of the best actors around, it is an absolute showcase for directing, cinematography and some practical FX, and it is, in equal parts, entertaining, frightful, and smart. This is one that will definitely become a classic and its many layers, clues and its symbolism will give audiences stuff to think about, research upon, and go back to during rewatches for years and years to come. Just don't look into that blasted light...
Comments
Post a Comment