Writer: Rodrigo Cortes (Screenplay)
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Toby Jones, Joel Richardson, Elizabeth Olsen, Craig Roberts, Leonardo Sbaraglia
Plot: Psychologist Margaret Matheson and her assistant study paranormal activity, which leads them to investigate a world-renowned psychic who has resurfaced years after his toughest critic mysteriously passed away.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: My Type of Film
Story: Red Lights starts with Margaret Matheson (Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Murphy) a team that investigate paranormal activity, mostly debunking every case that comes their way. When infamous blind psychic Simon Silver (De Niro) comes out of retirement for one last tour. Margaret and Tom focus on psychic abilities and how they can be affected by certain things.
With Simon Silver out of retirement Tom pushes Margaret into proving how Simon has been using his ability for years debunking the biggest name in psychic world. When Tom starts trying to investigate Simon himself he finds himself going against a force he can’t understand who takes a personal shot at Margaret. When Simon agrees to be investigate by Paul Shackleton (Jones) a fellow scientist at the university Tom wants in but is he prepared for what they find?
Red Lights is a film that I could sit and watch over and over because I love watching films that offer the question of what you want to believe. When it comes to this film you are left to wonder what you want to believe which will be interesting for all the fans of the genre. We do get to see how easy certain moments have been planned and easy they can be faked. This will keep you guessing until the final moment of the film.
Actor Review
Cillian Murphy: Tom Buckley is an ambitious paranormal activity where he wants to expose as many of the psychics in the world. He knows the Simon Silver story and wants to take him down once and for all, to a level where it becomes an obsession in his own right. Cillian gives us a great performance as we see how far he will go.
Sigourney Weaver: Margaret Matheson is the leading member of a department at the university who works along with Tom to debunk paranormal activity, she knows here boundaries and will expose anyone she knows she can beat, but isn’t willing to take on Simon Silver. Sigourney gives us a good performance in this role where she is a supporting cast member.
Robert De Niro: Simon Silver is the blind psychic who has been in retirement due to an unfortunate event at a show years ago. He comes out of retirement for one final tour where he becomes the target of Tom wanting to prove he is nothing but a fake. He is incredible calm and highly respected but is he really for real? Robert gives us a very good performance in this role.
Toby Jones: Paul Shackleton is a fellow scientist at the university who works on a different field trying to actually prove the idea of psychic abilities, he gets selected to do the test to prove Silver is real but can his tests be trust? Toby gives us a god supporting role performance.
Support Cast: Red Lights has a supporting cast that includes all the people involved in potential cover up of the psychic abilities, along with the people trying to expose.
Director Review: Rodrigo Cortes – Rodrigo gives us a film that keeps you guessing until the final moments.
Mystery: Red Lights gives us a chance to wonder just what is real or what is fake though the whole film.
Thriller: Red Lights does pull you in and with the final act the keeps you on the edge of your seat helps.
Settings: Red Lights uses the settings of the university for studying, along with the theatres where we see the exposing being happening.
Special Effects: Red Lights has good effects when needed for the psychic effects.
Suggestion: Red Lights is one for all the fans of mystery films to enjoy. (Mystery Fans Watch)
Best Part: Final Act
Worst Part: Hard to find one.
Believability: It is what you want to believe.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: Euros 14 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 54 Minutes
Tagline: How much do you want to believe?
Overall: Truly great film that really keeps you guessing
Rating