LIGHTS OUT

With the ongoing production of horror films since the birth of cinema, it’s difficult for filmmakers to strive for continued originality in storylines and scare tactics as vividly displayed in this film.

From the producer of The Conjouring comes the story of a young boy and his older sister who see a terrifying entity when the lights go out. Filmed on a small budget with a competent cast, but unfortunately audiences may feel they’ve seen it all before.

The screamfest commences almost immediately, with the usual stereotyped characters and ghostly scenarios, but ultimately the effect may be underwhelming as over time audiences have been desensitized by over-exposure to films of this genre.

The predictability in storylines is suffocating, with the lights going off at all the appropriate times and laughably the damsel in distress also fighting off the supernatural foe and ‘surprisingly’ emerging as the hero of the piece. (MMo)

★★1/2