The Lighthouse

Robert Eggers' second feature is a descent into madness shot on actual film stock in a 1.19:1 aspect ratio. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson give two of the most committed performances of the decade.

Gothic Atmosphere

Filmed in stunning black and white on a remote Nova Scotia set, The Lighthouse feels like a fever dream from another century. The period-accurate dialogue - researched from actual sailors' diaries - makes every scene feel authentically cursed.

Pattinson's Ephraim and Dafoe's Thomas are trapped together, and as supplies dwindle and the storm rages, reality itself breaks down. Is the lighthouse's light divine? Is there a mermaid? Is any of this happening? The film never gives you easy answers.

Verdict

Not for everyone, but for viewers willing to submit to its madness, this is an unforgettable experience.