Movie Watch Diary #11: The Lighthouse – A Haunting, Surreal Dive into Madness
Welcome back to my Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! For my eleventh entry, I dove into The Lighthouse (2019), directed by Robert Eggers, a film that grabbed me from its opening frames with its striking black-and-white cinematography and unsettling vibe. This two-man psychological thriller is both mesmerizing and mystifying, blending reality and surrealism in a way that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll. I’m giving it a 7/10—a mixed but unforgettable experience. Let’s explore why this film is so haunting, and as always, I need your movie picks for my next diary!
The Lighthouse (2019) - A Striking Cinematic Experience
From the first scene, The Lighthouse stands out with its bold visual choices. Shot in stark black-and-white and a boxy 4:3 aspect ratio, it feels like a relic from early cinema, almost documentary-like. The cinematography by Jarin Blaschke (Oscar-nominated for this film) is breathtaking, capturing the rugged isolation of a rocky New England island in the 1890s. The lighthouse itself, perched on a desolate outcrop, becomes a character—its beam cutting through the fog like a beacon of mystery. What really hooked me was how the protagonists occasionally stare directly into the camera, breaking the fourth wall in a way that feels raw and intimate, pulling you into their unraveling minds.
The film stars just two actors, both heavyweights: Willem Dafoe as Thomas Wake and Robert Pattinson as Ephraim Winslow. Dafoe, known for intense roles in films like Platoon (1986) and Shadow of the Vampire (2000), delivers a commanding performance, while Pattinson, famous for Twilight but reinvented in indie gems like Good Time (2017), proves his dramatic chops. Casting such talent in a claustrophobic two-hander gives the film an immediate edge.
The Plot: A Descent into Isolation
The Lighthouse follows Thomas Wake, a grizzled, domineering lighthouse keeper, and Ephraim Winslow, his younger assistant, as they begin a four-week shift on a remote island. The story dives into their tense, shifting relationship—Wake, the seasoned boss, lords over Winslow, assigning him grueling tasks while guarding the lighthouse’s lantern room as his personal domain. Winslow resists Wake’s attempts to control him, like refusing to drink alcohol against regulations, setting up a power struggle. As time passes, their dynamic swings wildly—friends one moment, enemies the next, especially when a storm strands them beyond their shift.
The film blends gritty realism with surreal, mystical elements. Winslow’s curiosity about the lantern room, which Wake obsessively keeps secret, fuels tension. Strange visions—mermaids, sea monsters, and cryptic dreams—blur the line between reality and madness. As isolation, alcohol, and their dark pasts take hold, both men unravel, revealing secrets and descending into chaos. The storm traps them, and their relationship spirals into drunken camaraderie, violent clashes, and psychological torment, leaving viewers questioning what’s real.
Themes of Human Nature and Madness
The Lighthouse is a raw exploration of human nature under extreme conditions. It shows how isolation can amplify both the best and worst in people—Wake and Winslow bond over sea shanties one night, then fight for survival the next. The film delves into power dynamics, with Wake’s domineering control clashing against Winslow’s defiance, reflecting how humans navigate hierarchy and resistance. Both men carry dark secrets—hinted at through cryptic dialogue about their pasts—that add depth to their unraveling.
The mystical elements, like the lighthouse’s hypnotic glow or Winslow’s visions, give the film a surreal, almost mythological feel, drawing on Prometheus and Proteus from Greek lore. It’s as if the island itself drives them mad, blurring reality and hallucination. The film questions sanity, identity, and truth, leaving you unsure if the madness is supernatural or psychological. This ambiguity is both its strength and its challenge—there’s no clear message, just a haunting vibe that sticks with you.
Visuals and Performances That Mesmerize
The cinematography is a standout, earning a 9/10 from me. The black-and-white palette and tight framing create a claustrophobic, timeless atmosphere, while shots of the stormy sea and craggy rocks are hauntingly beautiful. The direct-to-camera stares from Dafoe and Pattinson feel like they’re piercing your soul, adding a documentary-like intensity. Their performances are electric—Dafoe’s bombastic monologues and Pattinson’s simmering rage carry the film, making every scene feel alive, whether they’re bickering or descending into chaos.
A Mixed Bag with Lasting Impact
My feelings on The Lighthouse are mixed. The visuals and acting are phenomenal, but the story’s ambiguity can frustrate. It’s open to interpretation—some see it as a study of toxic masculinity, others a mythic fable—but the lack of clear answers left me wanting more resolution. The surreal elements, like mermaids and the lantern’s mystery, are intriguing but don’t fully cohere. Still, its haunting tone and questions about reality ensure it’ll linger in my mind.
Rated 7.6/10 on IMDb (from 270,000 votes) and 90% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 404 critics, average 8.1/10), it’s a critical darling, also earning an Oscar nod for cinematography. I give it a 7/10—a one-time watch that’s visually stunning but not a rewatch for me. If you love atmospheric, thought-provoking films, it’s a must-see.
What did you think of The Lighthouse? Did the surreal madness grip you, or did you crave more clarity? Share your thoughts below! Also, I’m hunting for my next Movie Watch Diary pick. Got a movie you think I should watch? Drop your suggestion in the comments, and it might star in my next post on Bookimov: Books & Movies. Until next time, keep chasing the light!
See also: Movie Watch Diary #10: Blade Runner 2049 – A Haunting Sci-Fi Masterpiece That Questions Reality
