Lights Out (2016 film)

In a Los Angeles textile warehouse, an employee encounters a terrifying shadowy figure that appears only in darkness. Soon after, her boss, Paul, is killed by the entity when the lights go out. His son, Martin, later witnesses his mother, Sophie, speaking to an unseen presence in the dark. Troubled by sleep deprivation and fearful of his mother’s erratic behavior, Martin is taken in by his older half-sister, Rebecca, who recalls similar experiences from her own childhood.

Rebecca begins to investigate and discovers that Sophie had a childhood friend named Diana while institutionalized as a teen. Diana suffered from a rare skin condition and was believed to have a malevolent influence over others. After a failed light-based experimental treatment at the hospital, Diana died, but her spirit appears to have remained tethered to Sophie.

As Diana's attacks grow more violent, Rebecca, Martin, and Rebecca's boyfriend Bret try to protect themselves by keeping their environment brightly lit. Diana cuts the house’s power and kills two police officers responding to the disturbance. Trapped inside, Rebecca learns that Diana can only exist through Sophie’s mental connection. To protect her children, Sophie sacrifices herself, breaking Diana’s tether and causing the entity to vanish.

In the aftermath, Rebecca and Martin are comforted by Bret, who assures them that Diana is truly gone.

{{Cast listing|

• Teresa Palmer as Rebecca
• Amiah Miller as young Rebecca
• Gabriel Bateman as Martin, Rebecca's half-brother
• Alexander DiPersia as Bret, Rebecca's boyfriend
• Billy Burke as Paul, Rebecca's step-father
• Maria Bello as Sophie, Rebecca and Martin's mother
• Emily Alyn Lind as teen Sophie
• Alicia Vela-Bailey as Diana, a malevolent spirit and Sophie's friend
• Ava Cantrell as teen Diana
• Andi Osho as Emma, a social worker
• Rolando Boyce as Brian Andrews
• Maria Russell as Officer Gomez
• Elizabeth Pan as Nurse
• Lotta Losten as Esther, Paul's assistant

}}

Director David F. Sandberg and his wife, Lotta Losten, created the original Lights Out short film in 2013 for a film competition. Although the entry did not win, the short gained widespread attention after going viral online. The exposure led to Sandberg being contacted by numerous agents, prompting him to track inquiries via a spreadsheet.{{cite web |last1=Wixson |first1=Heather |date=July 22, 2016 |title=LIGHTS OUT Interview: Director David F. Sandberg & Lotta Losten on Journeying from Sweden to Hollywood & the Advantages of Technology for Emerging Filmmakers |url=https://dailydead.com/lights-out-interview-director-david-f-sandberg-and-lotta-losten-on-their-journey-from-sweden-to-hollywood-and-the-advantages-of-technology-for-emerging-filmmakers/ |access-date=August 17, 2016 |website=Daily Dead}} One of those who reached out was producer Lawrence Grey, who sought to collaborate with filmmaker James Wan on a feature-length adaptation. Wan initially had reservations about expanding the concept into a full film, but changed his mind after Sandberg presented a detailed treatment.

Following the project’s development, Sandberg and Losten relocated from Sweden to Los Angeles. The move posed logistical challenges, including Losten having to leave her job and the couple being unable to secure an apartment due to their lack of U.S. credit history, which led them to live in temporary Airbnb rentals.

Sandberg originally envisioned the character of Rebecca based on a real individual struggling with depression and self-harm, which is reflected in the character's arm scars. Although the initial concept dealt more directly with mental illness, the narrative gradually shifted toward a supernatural horror story. The idea of Diana being a literal ghost was suggested by Wan. Sandberg introduced character subversions, such as making Rebecca’s boyfriend a responsible and supportive figure, despite his rocker appearance, and portraying the "imaginary friend" trope through the mother rather than a child.{{cite web |date=July 30, 2016 |title=Lights Out director David Sandberg defends the ending of his horror hit |url=https://avclub.com/article/lights-out-director-david-sandberg-defends-ending--240341 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |website=The A.V. Club}}

In June 2015, Gabriel Bateman and Teresa Palmer were cast in the lead roles as Martin and Rebecca, respectively. Maria Bello joined the cast as their mother, Sophie. Alexander DiPersia was cast as Rebecca’s boyfriend Bret, Billy Burke as Paul, Martin's father and Rebecca’s stepfather, and Alicia Vela-Bailey portrayed the supernatural antagonist Diana.{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Gabriel Bateman to Star in James Wan's 'Lights Out' |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/gabriel-bateman-james-wan-lights-out-1201521298/ |access-date=July 2, 2015 |work=variety.com}}{{cite news |last1=Busch |first1=Anita |date=June 27, 2015 |title=Teresa Palmer To Star In James Wan's 'Lights Out' For Atomic Monster, New Line |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/teresa-palmer-lights-out-james-wan-atomic-monster-1201459410/ |access-date=July 2, 2015 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite news |date=June 29, 2015 |title=On the Set for 6/29/15: Justin Lin Rolls Cameras on 'Star Trek Beyond', Emilia Clarke Wraps 'Me Before You' |url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-62915-justin-lin-rolls-cameras-on-star-trek-beyond-emilia-clarke-wraps-me-before-you/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630233856/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-62915-justin-lin-rolls-cameras-on-star-trek-beyond-emilia-clarke-wraps-me-before-you/ |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |work=ssninsider.com}}{{cite news |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Teresa Palmer Joins LIGHTS OUT with James Wan |url=https://hellhorror.com/article/8928/Teresa-Palmer-Joins-LIGHTS-OUT-with-James-Wan.html |access-date=July 2, 2015 |work=hellhorror.com}}

Principal photography began in June 2015 in Los Angeles and concluded on August 5, 2015.{{cite web |date=August 5, 2015 |title=James Wan on Instagram |url=https://instagram.com/p/6Bs4PtBVHG/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/6Bs4PtBVHG |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |access-date=August 5, 2015 |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} Prior to directing Lights Out, Sandberg had no on-set experience and had never worked with a professional film crew. He later recalled asking his assistant director when he was supposed to say “action.”{{cite web |author=Sandberg, David F. |date=August 9, 2016 |title=dauid comments on What Makes a Movie Scary?- Now You See It |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/4wl6ac/what_makes_a_movie_scary_now_you_see_it/d6aeeth?context=3 |access-date=August 20, 2016 |publisher=Reddit}}

The film's signature visual motif—Diana appearing only in darkness—was largely achieved using practical effects and in-camera techniques. Sandberg frequently employed split-screen editing, shooting scenes with and without the actress portraying Diana and combining the footage. This technique had also been used in the original short film. To enhance visual tension, Sandberg created a list of "light gags" involving various light sources such as cell phones, gunfire, and UV lamps. A key scene featuring a flickering neon sign illuminating Diana was suggested by James Wan, replacing car headlights featured in an earlier version.

Following the film’s release, some viewers expressed concern that the ending—featuring Sophie’s suicide—could be interpreted as promoting self-harm. In an interview with The A.V. Club, Sandberg addressed these criticisms, explaining that his original intent was to explore themes of depression, a subject he personally related to. During early development, Diana was not a ghost, and the story centered more directly on mental illness. A second ending was filmed in which Martin becomes depressed and Diana returns, but test audiences felt it undermined Sophie’s sacrifice. The final cut was retained to give the film a more emotionally conclusive resolution.

Lights Out had its world premiere at the LA Film Festival on June 8, 2016.{{Cite news |date=April 22, 2016 |title=Idris Elba's 'Hundred Streets,' 'Lights Out' to Debut at LA Film Festival |url=https://thewrap.com/idris-elbas-a-hundred-streets-horror-movie-lights-out-to-premiere-at-la-film-festival/}} It was later screened at New York Comic Con on July 20, 2016, before receiving a wide theatrical release in the United States and Canada on July 22, 2016, by Warner Bros. Pictures.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Warner Bros./New Line Turning On 'Lights Out' With Comic-Con Screening |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/lights-out-james-wan-comic-con-screening-1201788788/ |access-date=July 23, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 21, 2015 |title=Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Film Gallops To 2017; 'Lights Out' Set For Summer |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/knights-of-the-roundtable-king-arthur-guy-ritchie-sully-lights-out-1201670759/ |access-date=July 23, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Lights Out grossed $67.3 million in the United States and Canada and $81.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $148.9 million against a production budget of $4.9 million.

In North America, the film was projected to earn between $13–15 million from 2,900 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web |date=July 19, 2016 |title='Star Trek Beyond' To Blast Off Fueled By Comic-Con World Premiere – Box Office Preview |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-ghostbusters-lights-out-box-office-comic-con-1201788846/ |access-date=July 19, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} It made $1.8 million from Thursday night previews and $9.2 million on its first day.{{cite web |author=Rebecca Ford |date=July 22, 2016 |title=Box Office: 'Star Trek Beyond' Blasts Off to $5.5 Million Thursday |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-trek-beyond-913473 |access-date=July 22, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} The film exceeded expectations and debuted with $21.7 million, finishing in third place behind Star Trek Beyond and The Secret Life of Pets.{{cite web |author=Scott Mendelson |date=June 24, 2016 |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Ice Age' Melts (In America) While 'Lights Out' Shines Bright |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/07/24/weekend-box-office-ice-age-melts-in-america-while-lights-out-shines-bright/#f9a99eb3829f |access-date=July 28, 2016 |work=Forbes}}{{cite web |author=Anita Busch and Anthony D'Alessandro |date=July 25, 2016 |title='Star Trek Beyond' Launches To $59M; 'Lights Out' Electrifies; 'Ice Age' Tepid; 'Ghostbusters' No Cinderella Story – Box Office Final |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-ice-age-collision-course-lights-out-box-office-preview-1201790073/ |access-date=July 28, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}

Internationally, the film earned $8.5 million in its opening weekend from 3,737 screens across key markets, including Russia and Australia, as well as 30 smaller Eastern European and Asian territories.{{cite web |author=Anita Busch |date=July 25, 2016 |title='Star Trek Beyond' $30M Debut; 'Lights Out' $8.5M; Jackie Chan's 'Skiptrace' Nails $64M Bow – Int'l Box Office Final |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-lights-out-skiptrace-international-box-office-1201791877/ |access-date=July 26, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} It opened at number one in Russia with $1.7 million. Other top opening markets included South Korea ($3.9 million), France ($1.5 million), the United Kingdom ($1.4 million), and Spain ($1.1 million).{{cite web |author=Nancy Tartaglione |date=August 21, 2016 |title='Pets' Pushes 'Suicide Squad' From #1 Offshore Perch, Collars $675M WW; Supervillains Gain On $600M – Intl B.O. |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-secret-life-of-pets-ben-hur-war-dogs-weekend-results-foreign-international-box-office-1201806587/ |access-date=August 22, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |author=Nancy Tartaglione |date=August 28, 2016 |title='Bourne' Back At #1; 'Ice Age' Skates Across $300M Offshore; 'Pets' Prances Past $700M WW – Intl Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/jason-bourne-ice-age-collision-course-china-secret-life-of-pets-suicide-squad-mechanic-weekend-foreign-results-international-box-office-1201809853/ |access-date=August 29, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} Its highest-grossing territories were South Korea ($7.7 million), Mexico ($5.5 million), the United Kingdom ($4.5 million), and Spain ($3.9 million).{{cite web |author=Anita Busch |date=September 11, 2016 |title=Warner Bros.' Weekend Trifecta With 'Mil-Jeong,' 'Sully' And 'Suicide Squad' – Int'l Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/sully-mil-jeong-suicide-squad-international-box-office-1201817102/ |access-date=September 12, 2016 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Lights Out holds an approval rating of 75% based on 183 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website’s critical consensus reads: “Lights Out makes skillful use of sturdy genre tropes—and some terrific performances—for an unsettling, fright-filled experience that delivers superior chills without skimping on story.”{{cite web |title=Lights Out (2016) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lights_out_2016 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted score of 58 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."{{cite web |title=Lights Out Reviews |url=https://metacritic.com/movie/lights-out |access-date=April 9, 2017 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |title=CinemaScore |url=https://m.cinemascore.com |work=cinemascore.com}}

Several critics praised the film’s execution and effectiveness. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a perfect score of four out of four stars, stating, “Even the most cynical, jaded, seen-it-all-before critic cannot deny certain visceral reactions to a film. Lights Out gave me the chills.”{{cite web |last=Roeper |first=Richard |date=July 21, 2016 |title='Lights Out': In the dark, this supremely scary movie glows |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/lights-out-in-the-dark-this-supremely-scary-movie-glows |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}} Lucy O'Brien of IGN rated it 7/10, calling it “a debut director Sandberg should be proud of,” despite a “clunky script” that occasionally disrupts its tension.{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Lucy |date=July 1, 2016 |title=Fear the dark. |url=https://ign.com/articles/2016/07/01/lights-out-review |access-date=July 29, 2013 |work=IGN}} Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter described it as “a surprisingly maternal horror movie” that combines “supernatural suspense” with themes of emotional fragility.{{cite web |last=Lowe |first=Justin |date=July 9, 2016 |title=Accomplished, but not especially distinctive. |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/review/lights-laff-review-900940 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times wrote that the film “delivers minimalist frights in old-school ways,” crediting its strong performances and tight editing.{{cite web |last=Catsoulis |first=Jeannette |date=July 21, 2016 |title=Review: In 'Lights Out' an Invisible Friend Turns Malicious |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/22/movies/lights-out-review.html?_r=0 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=The New York Times}}

Conversely, some critics expressed disappointment with the film. James Berardinelli of ReelViews awarded the film two stars out of four, citing “an overreliance on traditional horror movie clichés” and criticizing its thinly drawn characters and excessive backstory.{{cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |date=July 21, 2016 |title=Lights Out (United States, 2016) |url=http://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/lights-out |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Reelviews}} Rex Reed of The New York Observer gave the film one star out of four, writing that while the film introduces inventive ways of generating light-based tension, “the fun wears out fast and so does the ‘gotcha’ factor.”{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Rex |date=July 20, 2016 |title='Lights Out' Is a Sad Excuse for a Horror Flick |url=http://observer.com/2016/07/lights-out-is-a-sad-excuse-for-a-horror-flick |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Observer}}

In July 2016, shortly after the film's release, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that a sequel to Lights Out had been greenlit. Eric Heisserer was confirmed to return as screenwriter, with David F. Sandberg set to direct once again. James Wan and Lawrence Grey were attached as producers under their respective banners, Atomic Monster and Grey Matter Productions.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 27, 2016 |title=New Line Sets Sequel To Fright Sensation 'Lights Out' |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/lights-out-sequel-david-f-sandberg-new-line-1201793761/ |access-date=July 28, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=July 27, 2016 |title=Sequel to Horror Film 'Lights Out' in the Works at New Line |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/lights-out-sequel-new-line-1201824928/ |access-date=July 28, 2016 |website=Variety}}

As of 2024, no further updates regarding the sequel’s development have been released.{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2020 |title=Why Lights Out 2 Still Hasn't Happened |url=https://screenrant.com/lights-out-2-movie-not-happening-delay-why/ |website=Screen Rant}}

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