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Lights Out

22 July 2016English1h 21m
User score: 7.0 out of 10, from 2 ratings — not enough ratings for a verdict yet

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Lights Out is mixed to lukewarm, with most scores clustering around the average range.

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Not streaming in India

When Rebecca left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn't real when the lights went out…and now her little brother, Martin, is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety. A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie, has reemerged.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Lights Out is mixed to lukewarm, with most scores clustering around the average range. Several critics acknowledged the film's effective use of lighting, sound, and atmosphere to build tension and unease. However, a recurring criticism is that the horror techniques feel formulaic and predictable, with some reviewers finding the pacing slow and the scares telegraphed or derivative. A few critics noted the film's potential, particularly in its atmospheric craft, but felt it did not fully capitalize on its premise.

5 rated reviews · 1 positive · 3 mixed · 1 negative

Praised: atmospheric use of light and soundCriticised: predictable and formulaic horror techniques

AI-generated summary of 6 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (6)

Updated
Shalini LangerTop Critic· Indian Express
4.0
“Sandberg, who extended his own impressive short by the same name into this extended film, should have let this one rest. Can't always have the lights on.”
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Reagan Gavin Rasquinha· Times Of India
7.0
“If you're relying on jump scares and thing that go bump in the dark, you won't find it here. The horror genre has already had a surfeit of means and methods that rely on that. Sure, on the other side, the film can be dark and can be slow for those who aren't into this kind of psychological horror. However, no doubt, it is refreshing to see something chillingly different in this genre.”
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Johnson Thomas· Mid-Day
5.0
“The atmosphere here is suggestively creepy. Dark frames, dim flickering lights, sudden switch on and offs, striking sounds delivered suddenly, shadowed faces and faces shrouded in darkness and the general lame tricks that shore up the genres myriad affectations. They are all so obvious and predetermined that you can't help but feel cheated by the déjà vu surrounding the experience.”
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Bollywood Hungama News Network· Bollywood Hungama
5.0
“On the whole, with good editing, and trademark James Wan techniques of building up anxiety and good usage of light, the film definitely does manage to raise the hair on your neck when needed. Entertaining, scary in parts and funny at times, LIGHTS OUT makes for a decent one time watch.”
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Aleesha Matharu· CatchNews
5.0
“Ultimately, Lights Out is a perfectly acceptable waste of time for those looking for an orgy of jump scares that are professionally framed. And if the lights begin to flicker, just run.”
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BookMyShow Team· BookMyShow
Not rated
“We wish there was more emphasis on the mother's mental condition, but the movie focuses only on creating the abrupt scares, which become typically predictable towards the end.”
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Cast & Crew

Details

Release Date
22 July 2016
Runtime
1h 21m
Language
English
Genre
Horror

User Ratings & Reviews

Users7.02 ratings

2 ratings · 0 with a written review

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