During Blockbuster Movie Season, releasing an independent movie is a mixed bag, so to speak. Like this year's "Moonrise Kingdom" and 2006's "Little Miss Sunshine", there are independent films that can thrive. Others get relegated into box office obscurity while the blockbusters have their day.
"Red Lights" is such a film. Currently only showing in 18 screens across the US (according to BoxOfficeMojo.com), "Red Lights" received little to no advertising domestically, so naturally it's making no revenue on our shores. And it's a shame, since it's possibly one of the year's best films.
Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and Dr Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) are paranormal investigators out to debunk phony psychics and mediums -- from the John Edward-like stage performers to the private mediums who dupe simpletons into thinking their houses are haunted. In every case, as told to their grad student class at a university in New York, Margaret and Tom are able find each one as a fraud, causing them to believe that no one has any special ability at all. When Margaret asks for a challenge, Tom decides to challenge world-renowned psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro), who just came out of a 30-year retirement after his main skeptic/critic died suddenly and mysteriously in a heated confrontation. Despite warnings from Margaret and grad students Sally (Elizabeth Olsen) and Ben (Craig Roberts), Tom goes after Silver on his own. The deeper he goes in his investigation, the more Tom starts to realize that not only is Silver the real deal, but Silver has an agenda to mentally break Tom for his invasive behavior.
Writer/director Rodrigo Cortes ("The Contestant", director of "Buried") takes us on a psychological journey into the world of mediums and psychics, making us question what's real and what's not. From the atmospheric lighting to the sudden jumps that come with any great thriller, Cortes is definitely a filmmaker to watch for in the future.
Cillian Murphy is fantastic as Tom, showing he can headline a movie as well as be relegated to the supporting cast. His performance as the brash and hotheaded investigator harkens back to his breakout performance in "28 Days Later", and makes us remember why we love him as an actor. Robert De Niro is the other true treat of this movie as the dark, brooding (possibly sinister) Simon Silver. His subtle tone and sarcastic smirks make him the perfect film villain, and his performance here solidifies his status as legendary.
Though gravely mismarketed as a horror film, "Red Lights" is still a film not to be trifled with. At its core, the film is a wonderful look at the human psyche when it comes to subjects of faith and obsession. But let that no fool you. "Red Lights" is a psychological paranormal thriller in the vain of "Stir of Echoes" and "Donnie Darko" where you never know where the next jump is going to be coming from, and you're consistently asking yourself "What's going on?!?" until the very end. And with a surprise ending that would make M. Night Shayamalan do a double-take, "Red Lights" is that little treasure you'll be telling all your friends about.
FINAL VERDICT: Need a break from blockbusters? Want your mind blown? "Red Lights" is your ticket. This mind-bending thriller will keep you riveted until the exciting conclusion. Even though critics are blasting this film (remember...critics are the ones who liked "Blue Valentine" and "Prometheus"), "Red Lights" is going to be that film you hear about in a couple years that now has a cult following. And with Cillian Murphy, Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver, you know you can't go wrong.
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