Red Lights

Name: Red Lights
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Released: July 13, 2012
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 36
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver

2012

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 76 Ratings

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5.6

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5.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 76 Ratings

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Red Lights

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Movie Details & Credits

Millennium Entertainment | Release Date: July 13, 2012 | R

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver

Summary: Veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson and Tom Buckley debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver comes out of retirementVeteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson and Tom Buckley debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver comes out of retirement after 30 years, his once-fearless adversary Matheson warns Buckley to back off, fearing reprisal from the powerful Silver. Determined to discredit Silver, Buckley and his star student use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic, spoon-bending, mind reader. But Buckley is forced to reexamine his own core beliefs as his quest builds to an explosive conclusion. (Millennium Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Rodrigo Cortes

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist William Goss

Jul 25, 2012

The truth is, while Red Lights isn't terrifically scary, it is thrilling in other ways, constantly playful and often tongue-in-cheek as it works through the hokey conventions of the genre. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Jul 25, 2012

Red Lights also shows a director who knows how to construct a story and build interest, but at the end, it flies apart. I wonder if there was an earlier draft. I suspect most audiences would prefer a film with an ending that plays by the same rules as the rest of the story. Read full review

Adam Litovitz

Aug 10, 2012

It works best when it doesn't take itself seriously, and some of the ways in which ESP is faked are briefly engaging, like short con games or magic tricks revealed. But, finally, the film doesn't offer the sense of release, or of surprise, that it seems to take for granted. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

Jul 10, 2012

Much as I want to believe in Cortés, who is clearly talented and ambitious, there is just too much in Red Lights that encourages agnosticism. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Jul 26, 2012

The storytelling proceeds in such a halting manner, with De Niro's speeches going on and on and on, that before long you'd kill for an easy scare. Read full review

Mary Pols

Jul 12, 2012

Red Lights reaches for a "The Sixth Sense"-style twist and whiffs it completely. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Jul 10, 2012

Never do you sense an overriding intelligence; Cortés once found laughs and shocks within the coffin-confined Buried, but here's he's got too much room to wander into realms of the ridiculous. Read full review

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User Reviews

Tss5078

Aug 1, 2016

Professor Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and he assistant Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) have a very unique and interesting job. They travel the country trying to prove of disprove psychics, magician, paranormal researchers, and people in similar fields. They would like nothing more thanProfessor Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and he assistant Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) have a very unique and interesting job. They travel the country trying to prove of disprove psychics, magician, paranormal researchers, and people in similar fields. They would like nothing more than to find the real thing, but so far, Matheson has only found one person she hasn't been able to prove is a fraud, and that's Simon Silver (Robert De Niro). She is terrified of the man, but he assistant doesn't know any better and wants to make a name for himself by going after the legendary medium. I am in utter disbelief that a film with a cast like this was direct-to-film, but all that aside, it's as good a story as you'll find on the big screen. What can you say about De Niro and Weaver that hasn't been said a million times before, but this film is almost like a passing of the torch, as Murphy got the majority of the air time. How'd he do, Cillian Murphy absolutely stole the show right out from under them, in what is easily his best performance to date. To be honest, this is one of those films I watched for the cast, I wasn't super interested in the story and at times it was painfully slow, but Red Lights has some downright creepy moments, and the ending will absolutely blow your mind. If you're the patient type who enjoys a great performance, this films for you, if not, you might want to skip this one, as it takes a while to get going, and gives you some things you really have to think about afterwards.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dharma

Oct 15, 2012

Red Lights is an obscure thriller that attracts a lot of great talents, a genre that was popularised by 'Sixth Sense' a number of years back. Slow burn plot, talky, with a twist in the end. It;s done quite well here. Too bad nobody cares anymore. It is actually meticulously researched byRed Lights is an obscure thriller that attracts a lot of great talents, a genre that was popularised by 'Sixth Sense' a number of years back. Slow burn plot, talky, with a twist in the end. It;s done quite well here. Too bad nobody cares anymore. It is actually meticulously researched by the Writer-Director, and while the last third went out like any other supernatural thriller out there, it does raise a lot of issues about paranormal activities, whether they are fake or not. De Niro again plays the usual 'I'm sooooo creepy' routine that he is famous for. It's the nuanced performances of the ever reliable Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver that elevates this material.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this is to be quite a spooky movie, it uses menacing classical music or muzack in the background along with the noise of heavy downpours and other typically claustrophobic type unsettling music used for dramatic effect. Most of the scenes feature dark light conditions, with seances etc. held in particularly dimly lit rooms, some featuring the red lights as mentioned in the title - you certainly can't claim this isn't atmospheric or emmersive, however it brings different issues I felt, the main being a feeling of confusion, trying to keep track of what precisely was going on with different characters and moreso the hidden technical setup present at different stages.

I thought the basic concept was quite good - it certainly tackles, or questions, an old issue which probably intrigues many people. When it comes to supposed magic or healing, there can be alot of strong views on the subject and certainly paranormal abilities, or people claiming to have 'extra abilities' anyway is something treated with alot of scepticism, yet there are those who may be seen as vulnerable (such as those with terminal health conditions) and wanting to believe in their apparent 'healing powers'. Religion vs science is a topic centuries old but its nevertheless still quite intriguing.

Back to the movie and it does require you to pay attention, in order to follow the plot well - I'd say that there's more in the way of dialogue than real action or special effects and indeed its more of a thriller, or mystery/thriller even, than any other genre, even drama really. Some of the characters I felt were a bit more substantial, or developed, than others I suppose - I'd say that Sigourney Weavers character, that of Margaret Matheon, the University professor, somehow stood out the most, although primarily the movie concentrates on her friend and assistant of sorts, Tom Buckley (played by Cillian Murphy, who I kept thinking reminded me of Brian Cox for some random reason!) and the apparently somewhat legendary, powerful healer Simon Silver (played by Robert De Niro). The relationship between Margaret and Tom is quite interesting and there are some good pieces of dialogue, although I didn't especially think much of Robert De Niros portrayal in this specific title, other than he seems his usual cool headed self, portraying someone who clearly has an element of arrogance which is part of their known persona, that people buy into and that suits him well.

Content wise, there's definitely at least moderate (bloody) violence present here, particularly towards the end - I found one somewhat extended scene quite shocking and difficult to watch, due to the violence present I felt that was somehow unnecessarily unpleasant - I suppose I wasn't expecting it so thats why it shocked me more but it is what I'd call pretty grim. Otherwise there's the usual strong language present and sinister tone throughout but not a whole lot else thats especially worth mentioning, unless you can count the odd scene which may make people jump.

To me, this movie seemed like a story based on a novel and brought to life on screen, in that it relied heavily on character interaction and dialogue. Trying to concentrate, I still felt a bit lost regarding some plot elements and characters, at one stage it did seem a bit muddled and complicated but I stuck with it all the same. I should perhaps also mention that I felt a bit cheated by the ending of the movie, which (to me anyway) didn't seem especially plausible and seemed perhaps even annoyingly typical for such movies of its ilk. I'd say it involves a sentimentality which didn't appear to be present until then. There's also a nice, probably quite poignant message right at the very end but I still feel the ending was somewhat clumsy or muddled and it didn't quite work for me somehow, if you know what I mean.

One thing I did quite like was a particular plot twist that came to light (pardon the title related pun(!)) quite slowly but was done pretty well, I thought, so the plot isn't entirely bad I guess. I won't say much about it so I don't give it away but thinking back, it did surprise me a bit, although I admit that sometimes I don't see things coming as quickly as others can.

This has the feel of a classic style thriller and it does ok at that, although I wouldn't say it stands out a great deal but its certainly easy enough to watch for the most part and has a decent enough story so I give it 5 out of 10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NedRyerson1

Feb 2, 2013

Red Lights seemed like an interesting movie, because of the statement that proposes: every psychic is a fraud and there are many ways to expose them. This last thing is what Doctor Matheson and Tom Buckley do for living. So if you discover someone that apparently has powers, means that youRed Lights seemed like an interesting movie, because of the statement that proposes: every psychic is a fraud and there are many ways to expose them. This last thing is what Doctor Matheson and Tom Buckley do for living. So if you discover someone that apparently has powers, means that you are taking something for granted; here appears the idea of red lights, which are things that should not be there and will reveal you the trick. After all these, the film begins evaluating concepts like beliefs, religion, life after death, masses manipulation and credulity. The problem is that at the ending everything gets so distorted that becomes absurd. All the topics that the movie presents at the beginning are destroyed and what do we obtain? Purely crap. The story could have deepened with the concepts mentioned before or simply continue to where it was going. What a great disappointment, definitely Rodrigo Cortes cannot manage something like this. A story of enormous potential goes to waste.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DCEdmonds

Nov 13, 2014

"Red Lights" 10 Scale Rating: 4.0 (Bad) ...

The Good: Starts off great and is a very interesting concept. The cast is full of talented actors and they don't disappoint. Throughout the first half of the film, there are a handful of very powerful scenes that make you think. The Bad: It"Red Lights" 10 Scale Rating: 4.0 (Bad) ...

The Good: Starts off great and is a very interesting concept. The cast is full of talented actors and they don't disappoint. Throughout the first half of the film, there are a handful of very powerful scenes that make you think.

The Bad: It bogs down in the second half and loses steam. The talented cast couldn't overcome the poor plot choices as the film goes down an entirely different path and stops making any sense. Horrible ending that was way out of place and served to neatly explain everything. A film ruined by needless twists and turns.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FDT44

Jul 16, 2012

Sadly, it seems any filmmaker billing De Niro in their movie, now, isn't the least concerned with what the erstwhile acting legend does; casting him is supposed to be enough. Though such lionizing of a cinematic icon should be respected, and the actor himself should relish it, the billboardSadly, it seems any filmmaker billing De Niro in their movie, now, isn't the least concerned with what the erstwhile acting legend does; casting him is supposed to be enough. Though such lionizing of a cinematic icon should be respected, and the actor himself should relish it, the billboard on which De Niro's face is plastered in "Red Lights," of his character Simon Silver, once again avers with undoubtable certainty, that he is merely dress-up for any trash that happens to call his name by phone; even sadder, is the realization that the trash and the man are slowly becoming synonymous with each other. This is true, but De Niro's not all to blame. From the director of the claustrophobic thriller "Buried," Rodrigo Cortes helms, this time, a psychological grabber starring Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy as a pair of full-time scholars and part-time paranormal debunkers. Their belief, the ESP, the ghosts, apparitions, telekinesis, psychic surgical treatment, are only superficially eerie acts, filled with sleighted gags. And, that sums up the film too: loud sounds, seemingly spooky ambiance with its share of door-slam-shocks, levitation, crackling power outages and the all too familiar candle blowouts with people gathered around the dining room table, and many others you've seen before, its ultimately mostly all, a campy mess; a film laden with busting bulbs and magic tricks but little semblance to cohering characters and dialogue. Moreover, a movie about extrasensory perception, you'd think, would have some form of self-image and perception, but the only thing this psy-thriller "grabs" is a mirror, at which point it insists on shattering before it can take a look. Sure, not all is lost amidst the fragments--Toby Young as the parapsychologist and genre-connoisseur Weaver (she knows where the "light switch" is, per se)--but the characters all feel so stranded in the darkness with no exit anywhere in sight. Others, namely Young's on-screen girlfriend, Olson, appears only fitting in the picture insofar as to confirm Young's otherwise implied affinity for women, and incidentally to show the audience some respite in occassionally revealing a pretty face instead of a dark, cacophonous room. Also, Weaver, notwithstanding her valiant attempts to fulfill the script, can't circumvent her expositorily informative lines that don't do justice to the already dullness of some of her counterparts. Initially, the film does start intriguingly, at least cinematographically, with dramatic shifts in camera movement and delightful set-locations. But, one can't expect the scenery alone to help this shock-limper through the long-haul. Enter the aforementioned De Niro, who hides behind those big, black glasses, and further, those cosmetic cataracts (playing a blind, spoon-bending thaumaturge) and wears his fading reputation proudly; needless to say, De Niro should have taken a tip from his character and performed his own vanishing act--far, far away from taking this role. His Simon Silver-paranormal-superstar persona doesn't come across as mysteriously creepy, but rather desperate and frankly, not all that interesting. Additionally, in what has been called a "mind-blowing conclusion," "Red Lights," endows an ending that is sure to mix things up, but rather than having a twist that adds to what one already knows, it ironically pulls the rug out from under itself, and takes it a step further in nullifying that which its sleight-of-hand narrative had set out to explain in the first place; it makes the pervasive foibles of the film all the more intolerable and undeniably unforgiveable to the time ill-spent. This one missed all-too-many signs urging it to "Stop." Arguably the biggest turn-for-the-worse and misfire of 2012.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

podriscoll27

Mar 15, 2013

A poorly-designed, poorly-told story filled with robotic characters spouting clunky dialogue. But for the semi-success of this writer-director's last effort (Buried 2010) this film would probably never have been made. If you want a good movie to watch you won't find it here.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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