A slow descent into madness, isolation, and seagull-related nightmares—that’s The Lighthouse in a nutshell. Directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch), this film is a black-and-white fever dream, blending gothic horror, psychological torment, and absurd humor into a claustrophobic, hypnotic experience.
And with Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe going full unhinged, you know you’re in for something wild.
The Setup: A Storm of Insanity
Set in the 1890s, the film follows Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson), a young man assigned to a remote lighthouse under the command of the grizzled, pipe-smoking Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe). The job? Keep the place running, maintain the light, and most importantly—don’t lose your mind.
Spoiler: He loses his mind.
At first, Winslow keeps his head down, working through the grueling labor while Wake spouts sea shanties, guzzles booze, and farts with reckless abandon. But isolation does something strange to people. Within weeks, the two men are drinking kerosene, seeing mermaids, and spiraling into a full-blown psychological meltdown.
Madness in Every Frame
Eggers shoots The Lighthouse in a nearly square 1.19:1 aspect ratio, making every scene feel cramped and suffocating—you’re trapped with these two lunatics. The black-and-white cinematography is gorgeous, turning each frame into a nightmare straight out of classic gothic horror.
And then there’s the sound design—the eerie foghorn never stops, a relentless reminder of their inescapable isolation.
Pattinson & Dafoe: Acting With a Capital “A”
🔹 Willem Dafoe delivers Shakespearean monologues, curses like a 19th-century sailor, and somehow makes farting feel like high art.
🔹 Robert Pattinson goes from brooding silence to full-throttle madness, throwing himself into the role—literally. He fights a seagull, crawls half-naked across the floor, and descends into absolute chaos.
🔹 Their chemistry is insane—one moment they’re laughing and dancing, the next they’re pummeling each other’s faces in.
It’s brilliant, bizarre, and completely unforgettable.
The Verdict: A Surreal, Hypnotic Nightmare
✔ A masterclass in psychological horror—you’ll feel just as trapped as the characters.
✔ Incredible performances—Dafoe and Pattinson are insane in the best way.
✔ Visually stunning—haunting, bleak, and hypnotic.
✔ Darkly hilarious—because sometimes insanity is funny.
✖ Slow-paced and surreal—not for casual horror fans.
✖ Leaves you with more questions than answers—which is either genius or frustrating, depending on your taste.
Final Rating: 4/5 – An Atmospheric Descent Into Madness
Eggers delivers one of the most unique horror films in recent memory—a haunting, surreal, and at times darkly hilarious experience. If you love psychological horror, mythology, and watching two men absolutely lose their minds, The Lighthouse is a must-watch.
But fair warning—after this, you’ll never look at seagulls the same way again.
