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.
If you like this, why not subscribe to our podcast for more reviews, interviews and general wittering of the highest order: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l...
Twitter: @Wittertainment
www.bbc.co.uk/5live
Fridays at 3pm on BBC 5 live.

[@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'

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@treefingers1183]

Gotta light?

[@dt9753]

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

[@tomashize]

Think yor the first? Ye aint. Ye aint.

[@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??

[@awayfromhome54]

Filmed in my hometown. Dafoe’s beard all gloriously his. Real dirt being swallowed at the end. Knowing how harsh the weather can be where they filmed, I would give awards just for surviving that!

[@grantandrews4826]

Nove Scotia, right? Beautiful province. I heard in an interview that the lighthouse they built actually functioned - almost too well - and they ended up blasting the town across from the set.

[@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

[@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.

[@intruder313]

Dafoe's performance is truly amazing.

[@williampalmer1660]

It’s an absolute masterpiece IMO and should really be winning oscars across the board for best director, picture, actor, supporting actor etc. A stunning piece of work.

[@seancorrigan7448]

The acting was incredible in this film.

[@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!

[@davidsteel8324]

Saw it today. Absolutely excellent. R-Patz and Dafoe are astonishing.

[@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.

[@mrmhj9925]

I forgot that it was a movie. I actually felt like I was watching through a window. A masterpiece of work.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@isabelleforstmann268]

What Eggers does, which I find so effective, is he situates his characters in the liminal space between their known world & the great unknown and draws the unease from how truly and completely dark the dark areas of the map are. In the VVitch, the characters know nothing about the woods on whose they they sit...they don’t have a name for them, they don’t know where the start and end, they don’t know what creatures live in them, what, if any, people live in them, they don’t know what lies on the other side. And then he has these character use myth to try and create a sense of safety, you know if you can name you can feel like you have some degree of control over it. As in Willem Dafoe’s character’s superstitions...they provide prescriptions for behavior meant to keep one safe ie. “if I never harm a seagull, I can avoid incurring the sea’s wrath.” And in these liminal spaces, things of myth seem to feed on belief & become real. It’s a kind of fear that I’ll never know in my everyday life....we have satellite pictures from space, scientific explanations for all sorts of phenomena, there’s nary a corner of the world that we don’t know at least the basics about and it’s really remarkable that Eggers is able to draw you to that historical feeling of not having an explanation handy for the things you observe. I feel like a lot of the horror of his films comes from walking away w/ the sense that your scientific explanations could just be more sophisticated myths clung to out of that same primal fear.

[@Andrew-jj6er]

Great comment, thanks for sharing this.

[@invanorm]

Absolutely spot on. Well said.

[@654jimbob654]

Definitely. Despite being a non-religious person, what I loved about The Witch is that it makes you believe what the characters believe and The Lighthouse does the exact same thing. The Exorcist did a great job of working around this by slowing stripping away all of the scientific explanations for what is happening until the only thing you have left is something beyond your understanding.

[@domzbu]

The ‘not hurting a seagull to avoid the wrath of the sea’ is a well known old superstition of fishermen

[@domzbu]

A good writer who tackles the last section of your comment, the illusory security we build for ourselves with our scientific knowledge and pride in ‘progress’, is Prof John Gray. He has written some great books on this.

[@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

[@Unriven]

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.

[@Bensterr23]

incredible film, horror as horror should be, subtle, silly and terrifying in equal measure, great review mark

[@VasManHorrorLivesMatter]

It is not a horror film.

[@Bensterr23]

@@VasManHorrorLivesMatter thats a fair comment, I suppose I said horror because I'm not sure what else to classify it as

[@654jimbob654]

@@VasManHorrorLivesMatter It is a horror film but not in the formula that most modern horror films use. It's not particularly scary but it has an overwhelming sense of dread and some very disturbing moments.

[@seanpadraigobrien1260]

Felt as real as some of worst periods in my life alcoholism, isolation and losing sense of reality

[@Hs022]

@@VasManHorrorLivesMatter shallow take. Horror is more than being scared.

[@parrogakaparadise9477]

Shout out to Kermode for being the 2nd person I’ve ever met to pronounce “claustrophobia” as “KLAUSE-tro-phobia”! Love it 🙏🏾♥️😀

[@kaatyblue]

wait, how does everyone else pronounce it??

[@jessewilliams7661]

kaatyblue closs-tro-phobia

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Sam-vs2es]

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

[@mattcampbell6827]

so glad this is finally getting a wider release. I've been desperate to see it for months

[@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

[@sjs7917]

I loved this film, I cannot understand for the life of me why it hasn't been recognised more, I got a Lynchian vibe from it, Mark was right in his comparisons. 'Uncut Gems' I loved also, my anxiety was at a twelve, like watching a horror film. 'Parasite' was just incredible. Some real great films out there.

[@elfsieben1450]

Yeah, 2019 radiated cinema brilliance: The Favourite Joker The Lighthouse Portrait of a Lady on Fire System Crasher gripped me most, but there were many more that were also really great.

[@grantandrews4826]

It's like Shakespeare directed by Lynch. Super cool.

[@stupididiot6993]

Best movie of 2019 imo

[@malteschuster6999]

Absolutely.

[@sternchild]

It's my number two currently behind Parasite

[@r4h4al]

Best one I've seen is 1917.

[@elfsieben1450]

Can't decide between "The Lighthouse" and "Portrait of a Lady on Fire".

[@r4h4al]

Changed my mind the best one I've seen is Uncut Gems, but I'm seeing Parasite tomorrow (finally), so I'm not holding my breath.

[@Unriven]

Production design, sound design, cinematography, score, acting, directing.. A1.

[@frankmerker630]

Are you just gonna blatantly neglect costume and makeup design?

[@Unriven]

Frank Merker Well I could say every technical aspect/art aspect. Felt lazy and selected a few that stood out the most.

[@shrinewitch]

It's A24. Couldn't resist. Sorry.

[@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.

[@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.

[@ashmckean7543]

The Academy are absolute cowards for not nominating Dafoe for Best Supporting Actor. This film will stay with me for the rest of my life. Absolute sledgehammer performances from Pattinson and Dafoe. Those monologues.. Robert Eggers future films will be big events.

[@terminalpictures]

they already ARE

[@adamarens3520]

Sunshine is Danny Boyle’s most underrated film imo.

[@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

[@malcolmjcullen]

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

[@AngryLittleGnome]

I'm fond of Willem Dafoe's lobster.

[@user-uo3tm1dv5i]

i would it his lobster every day !"

[@ruminatingreaper1850]

Can't wait to see this one. Looks fantastic

[@two-eyesmckay1400]

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

[@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.

[@user-uo3tm1dv5i]

exactly

[@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.

[@MacabreHouse]

I would love to see this in the cinema. Unfortunately, nowhere is playing it near me

[@NikLikesThings]

I'm so excited to finally be seeing it on Monday.

[@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.

[@kevinabimiku6445]

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

[@michaelgarza8271]

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

[@8teenOfficial]

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

[@b0lkan]

Finally! Been waiting to hear your thoughts on this.

[@PM_Sands]

b0lkan started checking KZbin weeks ago

[@Cobralalalala]

I really wish I could have seen this in cinema, but it never played in town, and I couldn't get to a screen out of town before it was gone. I'm planning to watch it this weekend on tv though. Not ideal, but it will work. :)

[@simonwade2819]

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

[@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

[@nox6948]

Just watched it and I loved it. The Witch is still better but this movie was great. The only problem I had was understanding some of the dialogue and missing some key info. If only there was subtitles.

[@georgeholliday2203]

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

[@MatthewGClarke]

Just saw it now and a couple walked out 10 minutes before the end. No matter how little you like a film, how can you watch that much and at least not want to see how it concludes?!

[@jumbo4billion]

If you are completely uninterested in how a film ends, why not walk away from it? Surely you haven't sat all the way through every single film you've started watching, no matter how much you dislike it.

[@slipknotfan4204]

I saw a couple walk out after 20 minutes into the film.

[@johnlawrence2757]

Matthew Clarke maybe it wasn’t the first time they had seen it and they had a train to catch

[@rowleyianj]

@@slipknotfan4204 maybe they hadn't realised it was all in black and white! Incredible filmmaking!.

[@Emma-R]

They didn’t know the movie was almost two hours long and they had to catch the last bus? Never secondguess other people’s motives: more often than not you’re wrong.

[@111doomer]

I've been looking forward to this review.

[@SuperLaney81]

Spot on review about Field in England

[@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.

[@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...

[@jimmygoodman7995]

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

[@rigilchrist]

Kermode is the best film critic. Ever.

[@darthmarticusLFC]

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

[@ilqar887]

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

[@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.

[@tonybaker1268]

Seen it 5 times so far. Love it.

[@JPWalster]

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

[@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.

[@thebomb78]

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

[@MLElf]

Holy smokes what a heavyweight film! Amazing

[@pj_naylor]

Basically the grimmest episode of "Steptoe and Son" ever made.

[@obscureentertainment8303]

😆😆😆

[@onlineenglish7065]

Beautiful

[@paulmcdonough1093]

and your a misery guts with a stupid comment ha

[@danieloneill9560]

You dur-tee aulld maaaaan!

[@mindfuldrone]

@@paulmcdonough1093 What a dumb comment. And for all to see. How embarrassing. And (sigh) of course you used the wrong "your". It's "You're". Dummy.

[@SamDavies94]

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

[@CynicSnacks]

My personal favourite movie in YEARS

[@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.

[@R.B.564]

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.

[@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.

[@D1210]

The Thing 1982 gave me the same feeling as this masterpiece

[@jameswatts6464]

I love how Kermode bubbles over this film....I loved the film and often tell people how amazing it is....and then people ask what is it about....

[@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.

[@doogdoogdoogdoogdoogdoog]

I've seen (and loved) this film, and I _still_ don't know what Mark's mime at 10:02 is supposed to be haha

[@michaeldeans6437]

it's the dream sequence where naked old's gaze shines a light into young's eyes

[@Jamie-bu9cq]

Thank you @michael deans!

[@jonny5779]

It should be a gif! Or a meme for when people see the film

[@ThePapaDragon]

That shot really felt like a renaissance painting. He’s absolutely right, I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day, it’s just stayed in my mind. (Saw the movie about 11 hours ago)

[@Novasky2007]

I have a copy of a field in england.. Yet I am unable to rewatch it for that very reason.

[@PouchMaster]

This movie really blew me! Awesome show! Highly recommend!

[@kenmina-hs1wb]

I saw it on my phone and fell in love

[@aaroncox9925]

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

[@eminkerim7859]

What moment is he talking about??

[@TheRealblinkjfg]

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

[@themcmexchange2938]

"Why did ya spill your beans"

[@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.

[@DwainDwight]

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

[@kokilimonke]

If you like this film, you would love Finish "Play of the month" (teleplay) from the 60s - 70s

[@speakatron5634]

Ooh, which episode please? I've looked it up but there's 120 different episodes 😂

[@leto7789]

you didnt understand what happened in the movie. noone ive seen online has figured out what actually happened, which is mind blowing to me, because its all in the script, and its amazing....here, ill explain it to everyone.... willem defoe is Neptune. the god of the sea. Robert Pattison let a man die in a river while he was logging, because the man was his superior and treated him like garbage.... that man, who Patteson let die, is the spirit in the seagull that is tormenting him. Because he let this man die in the sea, Neptune brought him to his abode to test him, like a trial. to see what he did it for. it was a crime. Neptune became what Patteson murdered. He became the worst kind of superior. goading him. humiliating him. overworking and underpaying him.... Pattesons character was already in hell. this was hell... Defoe's character says in one scene, "maybe you arent even here, maybe youre in some field somewhere", which could imply he was literally buried in a field somewhere, meaning, maybe he was dead and this was the afterlife...... Neptune was pushing Patteson to his breaking point to see if he repeated the behavior. he didnt know why "winslow" did what he did, until he got drunk and spilled the beans. this is all what Defoe's character meant by, this is boring. you are boring. the same old story.... implying he had hope that Patteson might not have just been a selfish killer with a temper and inferiority complex. it also implies, Neptune was waiting to see why Winslow did what he did before he passed sentence.... when Defoe cursed Patteson with that 2 minute long diatribe, that was Neptune laying down his sentence...... when patteson saw the drowned seagul in the vat of oil or whatever that stuff was, that was a metaphore for him letting a man drown, then the one eyed seagull showing up, was a direct editorial choice to link the drowned seagul to the man (the actual winslow) and let you know that they are the same character. Neptunes punishment was par for the course in greek/roman mythology. which was the point. The seagull was Neptunes way of testing Pattesons temper. this was all about Pattesons temper.... the alcohol was Neptunes way of reducing Patteson down to his most primal state. There never was any time. When Defoe keeps mentioning time, hes messing with Pattesons head. there is no time on Neptunes island. you have to take the film literally. and listen to the dialogue carefully. all of it is explaining the point of the film. theres no need to read into this film. its not ambiguous. its not meant to be avante garde asmuch as its meant to be an homage to ancient storytelling. ancient stories. the witch is the same way. black peter doesnt represent anything. he is literally the devil in the form of a black goat. you know what im saying? Patteson wasnt having hallucinations that could be interperated in several different ways. he was literally dead and being tried for his crimes by the god of the sea. thats what happened in the movie that you all completely missed. i dont know how. i feel like the movie would suck if it was merely some interperative dance. some mind game. some film that your supposed to guess whether the main character is crazy or sane. i dont think youre even supposed to do that. hes not insane. hes dead.

[@elfsieben1450]

Thanks a lot for this interpretation, honestly! But I also find that the film goes beyond a simple re-telling of an ancient story. It also references Coleridge, Hitchcock, Jung, Melville, Tarkofski, Gothic Horror, it is psychologically rich and the way it is told makes it a modern tale, a meticulously crafted period piece, and there is many other things you can draw from it, just one being the way maleness was construed by the turn of the century it takes place in.

[@leto7789]

@@elfsieben1450 and jim jarmoush. reminds me of dead man. the johnny depp film from the 90's. i wouldnt doubt that all those directors are inspirations for the film techniques used. i see that too. but, asfar as story alone, i dont think its supposed to be abstract. i think its supposed to be taken literally like the witch was. but i could be wrong. however, everything is consistent with what i described. it all backs itself up in a different part of the story. especially the toasts that willem defoe gives, and his curse, and when he explains the guls, and when he sings the songs, and when patteson admits to the murder... and after he admits to the murder, patteson hears defoes voice saying, "you spilled the beans." which i think has alot more weight than people are allowing. i feel like its the whole point. the part that ties the entire story together.

[@jaijai5250]

Thank you for your explanation. The film made no sense to me whatsoever, except for your explanation.

[@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'.

[@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.

[@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

[@chasecummings2353]

what moment was mark referring to? i've seen the movie so its not a spoiler

[@Leonards-leopard]

Badin Cummings when Defoe stands over pattinson like Neptune and becomes the lighthouse

[@kaidurantvaldez5551]

I absolutely love a field in england