The Lighthouse reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews The Lighthouse. Off the coast of 1890’s New England, two lighthouse keepers become stranded in a storm.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
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[@TheOnlyManWhoCan]

I want to see a version of the movie in which Kermode & Mayo are trapped in a lighthouse.

[@happygoldensunshine]

OMG. THIS. YES PLEASE.

[@electricboogaloo5645]

With or without tentacles?

[@friendlypup5650]

Electric Boogaloo more tentacles

[@TheOnlyManWhoCan]

@@electricboogaloo5645 One of them has very flappy tentacles and keeps hitting the desk with them

[@timtyler8822]

'Admit it! Yer fond of me lobster'

[@modernly]

I love the use of the foghorn in this movie, a somewhat simple sound but somehow so unnerving to listen to at times

[@ZakJordan98]

The Cinema i saw it in made the effect even better

[@onlineenglish7065]

I love the foghorn character too

[@RekizFilms]

Eventually silence became the most unnerving thing

[@davidlittle7182]

still haunts me

[@calvinlaw7790]

You can tell both actors went all in with their performances here and it pays off. That ‘what what’ sequence, Pattinson insulting Dafoe’s lobster and Dafoe’s Promethean retort - all worth the price of admission.

[@CorbCorbin]

Or his visions of coitus with a Mer-creature, which he uses to “self gratify” himself. What?!!?

[@CorbCorbin]

What is Dafoe says after he’s woken, when Pattinson is trying to get the keys? They’d fight, then drunk, hug, dance, end up on the floor as the accommodations get messier and messier. Then hungover Pattinson with the wheelbarrow again, just a little closer to madness each time. I love this movie. It should be required viewing for young actors, on both immersing oneself as DaFoe does, and the quiet reserve of Pattinson, until he finally erupts, yet no matter how much they argue the Keeper ends up like “all is well, and get to work.” The cinematography is just golden.

[@gripm4040]

CorbCorbin YES! How that mermaid screeches sends chills down my back.

[@z-beeblebrox]

*WHY'D YA SP I L L T H E B E A N S M A R K*

[@JJGerrard1980]

You mean whyd ya spill yer beans??

[@skijumpnose]

"Tell me you like me lobster!"

[@jasonfuqua4284]

skijumpnose LEHTNEHPTOOWNSTRIKEYEEDEDWINSLOW! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK!

[@matiaslaguna9118]

"How?!? Am I gonna like the hOOorsesshhit you make us fo supper?!?!?"

[@zeramoke]

SAY IT!

[@antm2296]

This and uncut gems are 2 films worthy of my money. Watching online just doesn’t justify my love of film and The Lighthouse and Uncut Gems are quality craft. Mark is right, go the cinema and enjoy the experience and fund these types of movies!

[@muhammadfauzan6864]

I wish i did, they didnt show it in my city :(

[@bloandon]

Both distributed by A24!

[@withnail-and-i]

As a non English person I preferred rewatching it at home in some sense because I couldn't understand some of the dialogue without retranscript subtitles. Also if you have a huge tv that you sit right in front with good sound system nowadays it gets close enough to cinema experience.

[@antm2296]

Yeah it seems to be a limited release. It’s only releasing in my city in independent cinemas. But movies like this are examples of true cinema. And we are the few who support these movies. A24 are producing movies that are admittedly reaching all audiences but not everyone are respecting them. People want sequels, cheap thrills and easy watching which is sad. RLM are right, independent movies with fantastic quality will soon only be available for streaming. Sad times

[@adamarens3520]

And I, I agree! English is my only language and I watch everything with subtitles if I can. I get more out of the film I find. Some movies don’t have the best sound and thick accents are tough to hear every word.

[@W00DSMAN]

Shouting "HARK!", calling everyone Winslow and farting constantly are my new favourite ways to annoy my friends and family. God damn Dafoe was snubbed I tell ye

[@PM_Sands]

Spill yer beeeans Tommy?

[@ZakJordan98]

Okay have it your way, i like your cooking

[@treefingers6572]

Gotta light?

[@dt9753]

You're fond of me lobsters!!!!!!

[@tomashize]

Think yor the first? Ye aint. Ye aint.

[@theheadshotstudio9254]

The Witch was incredible and I cant wait to see The Lighthouse. Robert Eggers is such an amazing talent - I can't believe The Witch was his first feature!

[@intruder313]

Dafoe's performance is truly amazing.

[@plumbtanker]

The Lighthouse feels like stripped back film making, it was very refreshing to watch. The opening 2 mins are amazing...lets you know what is ahead.

[@seancorrigan7448]

Up there with Adam Sandler as one of the biggest acting awards snubs of the year.

[@Brindenburg]

Both A24 too

[@treefingering]

What a world we live in in which Adam Sandler is being critically acclaimed.

[@Schrodinger_]

I agree. Billy Madison 2: O'doyle's Revenge was a masterpiece.

[@gab_gallard]

@@treefingering He was always talented. He just has a horrible taste at picking movies but looks like he is recovering.

[@julialongmore5420]

Reign over me

[@acooper5033]

Im surprised that the film from 2016 called Lighthouse was not mentioned as a comparison, it is basically the same story set in the same period. It was directed by Chris Crow and is a great film too.

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

This was my favorite film of last year. Between this and The Witch, Eggers is a force to be reckoned with. Can't wait to see what he does next.

[@ieuanyin]

did you like the northman? :^)

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

@@ieuanyin "Like" is putting it lightly.

[@JoePesciBallsack]

SPOILERS: I really really really love the end scene where Winslow is staring into the light. The distorted screams there will stick with me forever honestly, so sharp and memorable.

[@joshkkg1519]

it sticks with me the same way david lynch scenes stick with me

[@grantandrews4826]

Boy have I ever got good news for you. David Lynch. David Lynch is the good news.

[@jameswoowaa479]

I took it that he put his hand against the heat.

[@julialongmore5420]

Absolutely with you on that one, its unbelievable

[@KyleAButler]

It's been out elsewhere in the world for months and when it finally gets released here no cinemas in my local area are playing it. 😕 Meanwhile there are a hundred screening of that movie where a CGI Will Smith turns into a pigeon. So I guess there's that.

[@gerardduffy5000]

Exactly the same here. Im going out of town tomorrow to see it. So a £10 film has now turned into £30. But I still think it'll be worth it

[@War_Maker]

Gerard Duffy It is. Saw it in a packrd room months ago and it was a great experience. Although I laughed a lot more than those around me.

[@jogi847]

yeah lol i’m lucky i have an arthouse cinema quite near to me

[@katashworth41]

I've had to come to Manchester, and I could get a hotel room for £35 so am staying over and doing A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood to make it worth my while (I'll see pretty much anything at Home, it's a lovely cinema). And I might have to come over again for Parasite next week, another film the rest of the world has seen.

[@r4h4al]

Same my cinemas not showing it but it's still showing films like Joker which came out in October.

[@looloowhiskey]

Your country salutes you Mark

[@Horror-Man]

This film reminded me of 2 other horror films in particular: The Shining and Eraserhead

[@BCS1105]

I haven’t yet seen Eraserhead but I can absolutely see The Shining inspiration.

[@simonkey1113]

it is wonderful to have Mr Kermodes eyes on a movie and offer his observations. I often will go and see a movie just because of his insight. Thank you.

[@Sam-vs2es]

"How long have we been watching these two? 2 days? Eight weeks?"

[@sbwords]

I agree that scene in “A Field in England” is disturbing.

[@danieloneill9560]

Yes it was, but a shame it was a crap film.

[@mindfuldrone]

@@danieloneill9560 You're a crap film.

[@Renji1]

One of the scenes I found quite unsettling (spoilers obviously) is when we see the mermaid washed up on the island and she comes too, suddenly starts shrieking and we then see Winslow fleeing the scene as fast as he can with her flailing about in the background. Chilling stuff.

[@GordonjSmith1]

This review reminds me of the reviews for Derek Jarman's 'The Garden', but only because reviewers said they could not 'wait to get out'. I took my girlfriend and her best friend to see it, and at the end I was the only one in the cinema (Camden Lock) left at the end. But it was worth it! Sometimes the story, or the imagery are so well crafted that they create such great emotion, or confusion of emotion, that they 'overwhelm'. The simplest stories with great power are wonderful topics for cinema.

[@skycatcher5483]

I loved this film if only for Willem Defoe's performance. Definitely one to watch again just to get a handle on what the hell I'd actually watched.

[@анниелниф]

exactly

[@b0lkan]

Finally! Been waiting to hear your thoughts on this.

[@PM_Sands]

b0lkan started checking KZbin weeks ago

[@metalthrashingmatt]

The best movie of 2019...its so dense, its about isolation, madness, seduction, identity, it's also the story or prometheus..

[@r4h4al]

Bold statement.

[@metalthrashingmatt]

@@r4h4al it's that good, the films top competition was parasite and uncut gems but lighthouse snagged it. What was your best movie of 2019?

[@r4h4al]

@@metalthrashingmatt 1917. But have just started watching Uncut Gems.

[@withnail-and-i]

Long Day's Journey Into Night... A Hidden Life

[@angusielts7.00]

Apart from the solitude sending them crazy, isn't it true that the light (at the top of the house) was floating on mercury. So, the Defoe character dancing naked around the light was probably a sign of mercury poisoning. Similar to the madness of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, hatters used mercury to flatten the velvet material and it sent them mad.

[@kellinwinslow1988]

Robert Pattinson has come a long way. Since he worked with Cronenburg he's gotten a lot of experience. Dafoe is always great. Even in the game,Beyond Two Souls he was great. Wasn't really impressed with the Witch but this is a step up in quality. Just got the Blu Ray and will rewatch it soon. Should be even better watching it at home where I can really get into it. And with a 75" 4k screen it looks pretty big lol.

[@malcolmjcullen]

Gonnae no dae that? How? Just... gonnae no?

[@MidLoafCrisis]

Finally saw this today. Totally floored. What a piece of cinema. Everything is just fizzing and charged

[@Sleepy_Dandelion]

I wonder if there's something special about the name Thomas. In The Lighthouse there's Thomas and Tommy, in The VVitch there's Thomasin.

[@two-eyesmckay1400]

Totally agree with Simon. Astonishing film and stays with you but bloody hell...I was so pleased to get off that island.

[@georgeholliday2203]

One of the best Movies i have seen in a longtime.

[@8teenOfficial]

While in quarantine, I can relate to them that is having no sense of time and I don't what day it is.

[@keithc1022]

It genuinely reminded me of a couple of British comedies; Steptoe and son and Bottom with more debauchery and method acting

[@doctordogtoffee3832]

Now I definitely want to see it

[@vars280287]

I wanna see a film on Mark and Simon being stuck in a recording booth for 2 hours 😂

[@vipertaja]

I imagine it'd be something similar to the "Fred" review. =P

[@r4h4al]

Or a Lighthouse.

[@joannekelly5132]

Lol dead sound areas in some of those booths be fascinating lol

[@duderama6750]

Ye just did.

[@malteschuster6999]

This was such a great movie, I‘m glad they are finally talking about it.

[@GA-1st]

Great review! I see it as a story about the power of delusion, and the role that myths play in our lives...

[@michaelgarza8271]

The earth shattering scene in Bergman's Persona comes to mind. I look forward to seeing this film.

[@WadiumArcadium]

Would love to watch it at the cinema but none of my locals are showing it.

[@mrbubbles8743]

I've been wanting to see this movie since it was released in US a few months ago. My nearest cinema showing it, is over a 2 hour drive away, even though i have 6 cinemas within an hours drive, not a single one is showing the lighthouse.

[@Alex_Hoss]

It's worth the drive to see it on the big screen. I've never seen (or should I say experienced) a film like it.

[@olderloverxx]

Lighthouse and In Fabric could be my fave movies from last year. Dafoe one of the biggest Oscar snubs I can think of. The Lighthouse and Eggers work does as close to what Lynch work does - it gets under my skin and stays there for life. The Lighthouse also can I add, as an alcoholic 2 years sober is a good reminder (if one is needed) why a drink problem will always be a trip to hell

[@withnail-and-i]

To me In Fabric gets two stars for half a movie before becoming pointless for me to watch (still went through but wasn't for me!)

[@olderloverxx]

@@withnail-and-i both get 5 popcorns from me. though I would agree In Fabric is a film of two halves - the first portion with Marianne Jean-Baptiste is mesmerizing.

[@SuperLaney81]

Spot on review about Field in England

[@ilqar887]

Cinematography and the atmosphere quite extraordinary..movie drags you in ...it's scary

[@darnbricks]

I agree with the 'A Field In England' comparison. These people (not characters) have no choice. You understand their claustrophobia. It's not even about the space they're in. It's about the inescapable dread.

[@themcmexchange2938]

"Why did ya spill your beans"

[@darthmarticusLFC]

I watched it at home on a big TV and it was just as fun.

[@MLElf]

Holy smokes what a heavyweight film! Amazing

[@anthonyshope8408]

Odd that this is based in part on an incomplete story by Edgar Allen Poe,because by about 15 minutes into it I realized that to me Robert Pattinson looks so much like photographs I have seen of Poe,which made me think that someone should do a biographical film of Poe with Pattinson playing him.

[@Gonboo]

Don't spill yer beans. Just saw the movie a couple of nights ago and while I liked it, I feel people overhyped the movie. Hated the resolution and thought the story was not that great. Everything other aspect of the film was amazing though.

[@SamDavies94]

Stunning film, I was able to watch this yesterday on the big screen! Excellent!

[@jameswoowaa479]

Just saw it. Very unusual film and one where you aren’t sure if it was terrible or genius. But it stays with you, which possibly answers the question. Also the casting, acting and cinematography are quite remarkable. Frustrating but terrific.

[@JPWalster]

I don't know how you can watch this film without the subtitles on. Its so... mumbly

[@Tentacular]

I'm going to pretend that was a shoutout to me at 2:47. Woohoo!

[@withnail-and-i]

Lmao

[@thebomb78]

Just finished it. Very good all round. Robert Eggers is one of my fave directors after this and The Witch.

[@Xayjohns]

I typically wouldn't watch a movie like this but I did mainly for the actors (and sorry Mark I did watch it via streaming as a rental) and I have to say I enjoyed it even though it's one of the strangest movies I've seen. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson truly deserved to both be nominated for Academy Awards. Some of the best acting I've ever seen.

[@TheRealblinkjfg]

He means you need to experience it on Blu-Ray with a projector and a full surround sound system 😜

[@dorian655]

Couldn't help thinking about the Japanese film 'Tetsuo' when watching this. Very unsettling/ low fi/ grittiness to the way the film is shot as well as a tragic storyline.

[@jimsatterfield8748]

Two dudes in a lighthouse choking their chickens. That's all you need to know.

[@AlexHuzar]

I feel we don't need Hollywood to validate this film's (and the cast + crew's) magnificence with a shiny award. We can understand and agree at how unique and brilliant this film by it's own merits as an audience with no influence of 'them'. \ Cannot wait for Eggers' next outing in 'The Northman'.

[@Bjarku]

I was a bit disappointed that I could predict pretty much everything that was going to happen in the film without even watching the trailer and it was a bit over the top and gimmicky but I quite liked it anyway

[@jimmygoodman7995]

Watched a double of this and then uncut gems . Both of them blew me away

[@atari_k1]

I'm really excited, I'm going to see it tonight!!

[@Dagens24]

As much as I love Parasite I have to say that the Lighthouse was the best movie I saw last year.

[@hvitekristesdod]

This film is damned near perfect. My favourite film of the 2010s and one of my top 10 of all time

[@satanstherapist6401]

I'd like to subscribe to the BBC sounds podcast but why do they insist on wanting your postcode? No other app asks for your postcode and other details and I'm not giving the BBC my details.

[@mantistoboggan5171]

5:45 this is exactly what i was thinking when watching this film. i knew it wasn't some baseless reason like them both being shot in black and white, otherwise i'd be saying this film reminds me of young frankenstein by mel brooks. it's this feeling that were are losing our minds during this film. it feels like when you have acid, and are waiting for it to take effect, then all of a sudden, you just realise you have slipped into a life altering trip without even noticing. and that feeling of when you move into a smaller room and feel uneasy.

[@redcormorant]

Fantastic performances by both actors. Completely off its tits story. I loved it.

[@DwainDwight]

agree 100%, an incredible film. the song @ the credits really finishes it off perfectly. a wow movie.

[@ryhanc]

The sequel has already been confirmed. It's called Family

[@charliehungerford]

This comment has certainly "Lifted" my mood.

[@itsacorporatething]

I first thought when Thomas Wake asked "how long have we been here?" he was mocking Ephraim.

[@dimkilago2958]

He tries to make him complete crazy because the old knows that the young has see the head in the basket.The old killed also the previous lighthouse keeper.

[@FathomlessJoy]

I want to see a version of it that has a story and interesting/endearing characters and punchy dialogue.

[@Ben_Mdws]

They argue, they get drunk, weird stuff happens - and repeat...

[@Sam-zj6mw]

AND THATS JUST KERMODE AND MAYO

[@FathomlessJoy]

don't forget the endless buildup toward nothing burgers.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

This movie meant the rebirth of the career of Pattinson as an actor, I'm happy to know people can finally see him as a great actor and not as a teenage vampire from the Twilight saga, which I hate as much as the own Robert.

[@aaroncox9925]

Looking foward to the good doctor reviewing Parasite, really hope he enjoys it as much as me

[@primus209]

Such a brilliant film

[@seanpadraigobrien1260]

That lighthouse siren is deafening. William Dafoe is like my wild scary daft poetic uncle who is a god and a beast

[@Giannis_V82]

Umm guys...I have totally missed the scene Kermode was mimicking. Please help.

[@j4dd3r5]

JV82 Where Thomas appears behind fake Thomas and the light of the lighthouse is beaming from Thomas’ (Defoe) eyes. See: “Hypnosis” by Sascha Schneider

[@kenmina-hs1wb]

I saw it on my phone and fell in love

[@tumadrepinchependejo]

I saw it in theaters, back to back with Joker. The first few minutes when they walk into the room, I suddenly realized I was experiencing heavy breathing. I'm slightly claustrophobic, so it dawned on me, shit this is actually giving me an anxiety attack. Throughout the film I felt constrained, had difficulty breathing, but I coudnt keep my eyes away. it was hypnotic, The imagery, the dialogue, the cinematography. The last scene left me with so many questions. Afterwards I watched Joker and honestly, after this film, Joker felt lightweight. It was so easy to watch that I almost didnt enjoy it. The Lighthouse had me thinking of it for weeks after. Great film

[@freddieblake7545]

Reminded me of David Lynch but (expect rage for this) better! Certainly easier for me to follow. Incredible film, best of the year. How on earth did it get snubbed at the Oscars?!

[@Emma-R]

Easy, there’s no blacks in the movie. One of the new rules.

[@oyassoon]

A Field in England but with shades of the John Hamm Black Mirror

[@kaidurantvaldez5551]

I absolutely love a field in england

[@eminkerim7859]

What moment is he talking about??

[@MaximTendu]

Field in England, Bait, Sunshine. But also Persona.

[@johnwilliams2768]

A movie about two guys stuck in a small room, I’d go see that. Then again it could be a longer version of this video with Mark and Simon stuck in the studio for a month and I’d go see that also.

[@timothyw98]

Mark completely losing it and going all fred the movie again. AHHHHHHHHH! BLURBLURBLUR! AHHHHHHH!

[@meursault7030]

I was on a massive bender on various illegal substances when A Field in England came on TV. I thought I'd started hallucinating halfway through a random historical drama or war film. Nooope. Chuck Testa.

[@FathomlessJoy]

Hopefully you have faced your addictions and gotten treatment.

[@meursault7030]

@@FathomlessJoy I am sober now, yes.

[@FathomlessJoy]

@@meursault7030 AWESOME! Congrats. Just came up on 14 years myself.

[@meursault7030]

@@FathomlessJoy That's insane! Good for you, man. Just think how much better your life is now than it would have been. You did that, for yourself and those around you.

[@jwalker19931]

Batman and Green Goblin retire to the seaside to live in an old lighthouse

[@lukehearn]

Reminded me of an early David Lynch film like Eraserhead

[@bobknox9942]

Yer fond of me lobster aint' ye?

[@jimmygoodman7995]

10:00 what scene is he acting out

[@continentalcoxons]

That's what I want to know as well

[@seangray3189]

Somebody help us

[@Stryder-ic3ws]

The dream sequence where they're fighting in the rain and WIllem Dafoe has light beaming out of his eyes onto Pattinson's face. Just google "the lighthouse sascha schneider"

[@affalaffaa]

More wanking than expected, but maybe shouldn't have been surprised. Enjoyed the film, dark and restrictive, some great cuts and Pattinsons character really grows throughout. Thought it was directed by Lynch for a while but will have to watch more of Eggers future films.

[@spennybullen2178]

Living in a city with two chain cinemas that always play the same blockbusters, and a two screen Arthouse that plays more and more blockbusters means I may well have to wait for a home release. Shame as this review makes me want to watch this movie even more.

[@Bobble86]

Cineworld are showing it from the 7th

[@spennybullen2178]

@@Bobble86 I've not seen it listed for Dundee, but I'll certainly look out for it; cheers.

[@MrGriffinTalks]

This movie is AMAZING.

[@Technique-kj2bp]

10:02 What on earth moment is he referring to? I've seen the film but have no idea what he's re-enacting

[@scottv1781]

It's from a scene when they're outside at night, and Dafoe's naked character looks down on Pattison, a beam of light illuminating his face. It's a direct reference to a painting called Hypnosis' by early 20C artist Sascha Shneider.

[@Technique-kj2bp]

@@scottv1781 thanks, need to watch it again I think

[@rho008]

He got the first part wrong. William Dafoe's character Thomas and Pattinson's Winslow both arrive at the Island.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

The studio looks like a David Fincher movie in this video

[@andymcbride3478]

I’d love it if one day Mark rocked up to work wearing an 80’s shell suit. Just for the chuff of it.

[@jumbo4billion]

Turquoise and silver please.

[@hughtuck5147]

Now here's a thought - maybe we could watch the film and make up our *own* minds about how good it is & whether we enjoyed it...

[@phobostwotwoone5296]

Shut de fok up

[@jackashworth3956]

An island in New England

[@rach6534]

God this movive was intense...loved it