“The Lighthouse,” a 2019 film co-written by Robert Eggers is slow, similar to how the characters in the movie experience the story. 

The never-ending feeling of the film adds to the watching experience. Additionally, the film is a technical marvel, creating an intense sense of dread that makes it a perfect film to watch around Halloween. 

“The Lighthouse” is about two men on an isolated island who tend to a lighthouse for a month. The story is seen through the lens of Ephraim Winslow, played by Robert Pattinson, a quiet woodsman who has spent his life drifting from job to job. He is employed by Thomas Wake, played by Willem Dafoe, an experienced man of the sea who has tended to the lighthouse for many years.  

The film’s seemingly ongoing narrative – along with the horrible weather and isolationism on this island – creates a mood that places viewers into the environment of the characters. The pace often feels like the film’s biggest flaw, but it puts the viewer in the same scenario as its characters.  

The cinematography and lighting are beautiful. The usage of black and white film adds to the dreary tone, while the fantastic lighting on the characters is effectively used to make gorgeous and haunting images. 

The film is also shown in a square aspect ratio, with shorter edges on each side. This not only gives the film an aesthetic of a classic silent-film, but also creates more of a sense of claustrophobia as the characters have even less space on screen to move. The sound is used incredibly effectively, from the haunting score and the crashing waves, to the noises from the lighthouse and the myriad of seagulls flying in the background. 

Amy Nakamura | Co-Digital Editor

The exterior shots of the island look like they were taken out of an old photo book. This makes sense given that the film was shot on camera lenses from the early 1900s. The attention to detail behind the scenes shows on the screen.  

Despite feeling slow at points, “The Lighthouse” is rarely stale because of its very unique tone and sense of humor. There are a ton of funny, well-timed jokes in the story that meld seamlessly with the more dramatic, serious moments.   

Eggers also takes time revealing information about his characters, which adds to the quality of the film. With each scene, the characters become more honest and give in to their exhaustion. This happens as they are forced to spend time together in close quarters and Ephraim is forced into harder labor. 

Another aspect of the film’s eerie environment is created by the actors. Dafoe and Pattinson are phenomenal in their roles. They both flip in-and-out of madness with each scene brilliantly.  

Dafoe’s character is that of a classic sea captain, and he commands the screen with every moment. There are several long takes in which Dafoe is having a monologue and his facial expressions and delivery are a pleasure to watch. Pattinson displays his character’s descent extremely well, starting out reserved and contained but gradually getting more unhinged as the story progresses.  

“The Lighthouse” takes an amazing look at what happens to people when put into dire situations and what they reveal about humans. Eggers presents a thrilling examination into human nature that chills and entertains. Like the ocean, the film is rough and unpredictable in the best possible ways. 

Published on October 28, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Contact Patrick: pagunn@syr.edu