The Lighthouse review: An unforgettable showcase for Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe
If you're concerned about the lack of original movies at the cinemas these days, you absolutely should be paying The Lighthouse a visit.
Originally inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's unfinished short story The Light-House, Robert Eggers's second movie (after the outstanding The Witch) fittingly morphed into its own beast that doesn't resemble the short story at all.
Instead, what the director has cooked up with his brother Max is a two-hander about a duo of lighthouse keepers who slowly go mad when a storm leaves them stranded. Oh, and there's an one-eyed seabird hanging around too.
That's really about it for the plot of The Lighthouse, but Eggers makes up for the slight nature of the setup with a dizzying blend of horror, dark comedy, tense psychological drama and fantasy that will keep you captivated.
Key to it all is the unforgettable performances by Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe that rank among both of their best-ever.
Pattinson's Ephraim Winslow is the put-upon apprentice who gets the rough end of the deal, bossed around thanklessly by Dafoe's veteran lighthouse keeper Thomas Wake, who refuses to let Winslow near the lighthouse's lantern.
Wake's former apprentice apparently went mad and died, but as the events of The Lighthouse pan out, both Winslow – and the audience – are left unsure of whether Wake made them mad or the lighthouse itself.
So much of The Lighthouse's success rides on the two performances given that it really is a two-hander.
Valeriia Karamän pops up every now and then as a mermaid (naturally) and the one-eyed seabird plays a critical role, but the movie is really a showcase for Pattinson and Dafoe.
The two sink their teeth into the 19th century dialogue and New England dialect, with Dafoe in particular getting some wonderful monologues including one about Wake's cooking that, in an ideal world, would have been his Oscar clip.
And though Dafoe gets the showier role, Pattinson is equally impressive as he plays out Winslow's descent into (possible) madness.
It's a fully committed performance that sees him, among other things, masturbating over a mermaid carving and wandering around naked.
Whether they're bickering, getting drunk, singing sea shanties or just farting (yes, really), Pattinson and Dafoe make for a magnetic duo.
In keeping with the 19th century setting, Eggers chose to shoot in an almost-square 1.19:1 aspect ratio and in black-and-white. It means that the look of the movie is as unique as the content, with some truly striking and unforgettable imagery.
Some might dismiss it as arthouse style over substance, but it really adds to the experience of the movie. The compact screen makes you feel trapped in the lighthouse with them, adding to the atmosphere.
If there's a complaint to be had, it's that the thin plot is highlighted by the slow pacing at times, especially in the first half. There's nothing wrong with building the sense of repetition in the lighthouse, but it doesn't make for entirely interesting viewing.
Things ramp up in the second half and it's here where The Lighthouse fully immerses you, even if you're left frustrated by its refusal to resolve any mysteries it hints at once the bold climax hits.
That's not enough to stop The Lighthouse from being a unique viewing experience though, although it might put you off visiting the seaside anytime soon.
The Lighthouse is out now.
Director: Robert Eggers; Starring: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Valeriia Karamän; Running time: 109 minutes; Certificate: 15
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts.
You Might Also Like
