Director: Pat Holden
Writer: Pat Holden (Screenplay)
Starring: Kate Ashfield, Steven Waddington, Craig Parkinson, Andrew Lowe, Martin Compston, Gary Lewis, Hannah Clifford, Tasha Conner
Plot: Poltergeists attack a family in Yorkshire during the 1974 nationwide blackouts.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Fact Based Ghost Story
Story: When the Lights Went Out starts out by taking us to Yorkshire where our family are moving into their new home. Jenny (Ashfield), Len (Waddington) and teenage daughter Sally (Connor) settle down before all the extra technology with the events of the film taking place in 1974. Sally doesn’t take long to question whether the family is alone in the house with lights coming on during the night and strange noises around the house.
After a strange night Sally and her mother seem to get attacked by a ghost when the lights go out, but Len doesn’t believe everything they are saying. When the scares become more apparent they family tries different ways to figure out what to do, Sally befriends the ghost, Len tries to use it for money while Jenny wants to turn to religion for answers.
The family looks for answers for the force that seems to be slowly taking over Sally but only to protect her and hurt the people she is angry with. The question remains is this ghost everything it seems to be or is it after something else.
When the Lights Went Out really is trying to tell the story of what really happened in one of the most frightening paranormal experiences known to date. The problem is the film focuses so hard on trying to keep things to a true story on film it just doesn’t come off a scary. We have some nice build-ups and easy scares but nothing that will really make you scream. On the positive I did like the idea that this was meant to be a true story as learning about this events can be interesting, whether you believe in them or not. This will satisfy the ghost hunters out there but not many others. (5/10)
Actor Review
Kate Ashfield: Jenny mother of the family who first wants to figure out what is happening but really is too scared to stand up for her own opinion of the situation. You never really get convinced by the fear in Kate. (3/10)
Steven Waddington: Len husband who believes it is all nonsense but gets the shock because he can’t explain everything that is happening. Steven gives a very basic performance never really shining through the role. (3/10)
Tasha Connor: Sally daughter of the family that seems to connect with the spirit gaining a bond to keep her safe when she is around the spirit. Tasha does well in the role and seems to be the best of the lot in the film. (6/10)
Support Cast: When the Lights Went Out has a support cast that includes the friends of the family as they try to help or hide from the situation.
Director Review: Pat Holden – Pat does a solid job telling the story but doesn’t get the scares across. (4/10)
Horror: When the Lights Went Out isn’t going down as a truly scary film but will make you think what would happen if it was you. (5/10)
Settings: When the Lights Went Out uses the settings well to bring the story to the time period well. (7/10)
Special Effects: When the Lights Went Out uses solid special effects that are mainly used for the haunting side of the story. (6/10)
Suggestion: When the Lights Went Out is one to give a go I can’t say it is one of the best but can be enjoyed it you are into that type of horror. (Ghost Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: The bus tunnel is good.
Worst Part: No real scares.
Believability: Based on a true event must be ten right? (6/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
Tagline: Set in 1974 and based on true events, When The Lights Went Out is the story of a down-to-earth Yorkshire family and the malevolent spirit who turns their existence upside down.
Trivia: Written and directed, by the original haunting families nephew.
Overall: This is a good directed episode of a ghost hunting the truth behind a story but lacks any real scares.
Rating 
