The Lighthouse
Violence, cruelty, sexual material and content may disturb Rated on: 21 February 2020
What is it?
The Lighthouse is a psychological thriller feature about two men keeping a lighthouse in the 19th century. It is set on a small, rocky, isolated island in rough seas. A taciturn former lumberjack (Ephraim) arrives on the island to help the salty, grizzled lighthouse keeper (Thom). Ephraim begrudges Thom’s garrulous and bossy tendencies, unhappily submitting to the hard physical chores his boss sets for him. Thom is steeped in the folklore and ways of seamen, and finds Ephraim lazy, entitled and mean-spirited. A storm arrives, resulting in the two being stranded together without relief.
What to expect
The dominant effect is of a boutique psychological horror about the nautical mystique and mythos of lighthouse keeping in a bygone era. The style and subject matter will appeal to mature audiences. Children and younger teenagers will be shocked and disturbed by the level and nature of the horror, violence and cruelty. The sexual content supports a restricted classification, as it is likely to disturb children.
