When I first saw the trailer for The Lighthouse, I was absolutely mesmerized. I hadn’t seen something that drastically unique play before another movie in my cineplex in a long time. A black and white feature film about two lighthouse keepers in the 1800s presented in 4:3 aspect ratio? I HAD to see this film, but my local movie theater wasn’t very cooperative, so I would be relegated to waiting for the home release.

I have to say, the long wait paid off, and the build up was worthy of the hype I had given to it. In a sea of remakes, superhero flicks, and sequels, The Lighthouse shines bright. Look for it to sail into port (ahem…your local retailer) on January 7, 2019.

From writer/director Robert Eggers (one of the biggest breaths of fresh air to cinema in a long time), comes a fantastic entry to follow his lauded horror masterpiece The Witch. Not only is it a film about two lighthouse keepers manning an isolated post in the 19th century, but it also catalogs their slow descent into madness. Could something sinister be at the root of the mayhem? Is there something in the water? Perhaps it is you, yourself, who is going insane watching this movie? Maybe it’s all three!

Obviously, the thing that stands out the most for The Lighthouse upon first glance are the visuals. The black and white contrast and 4:3 aspect ratio may take a little while to get used to, but the contrasts for light and dark make this a brilliant choice to set the mood and period. The cinematography by Jarin Blashke (The Witch) is simply stunning, and while every frame is worthy of analysis, there are a few shots thrown in there with a fantasy flare that stick with you long after the credits roll. (Sadly, going into more detail here would spoil some of the best moments of the film)

Aside from the visuals, there’s the acting. Only having two main actors can place a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, but fortunately those two actors are Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. I could say that Dafoe is experiencing something of a renaissance with his recent string of indie hits (which include Academy Award nominations for best actor in The Florida Project and Eternity’s Gate), but this man has been a force of nature in cinema since his award-winning turn in Platoon, and he’s a perfect choice to battle the harsh elements in The Lighthouse.

As far as Pattinson goes, if anyone had any doubt he could play a brooding, tormented, and vengeful character when recently cast as the new Batman, wonder no more. If you only know him from his roles in Twilight and Harry Potter, boy are you in for a ride!

Grim, gritty, and gorgeous at the same time, The Lighthouse does not whitewash the difficult life of those keeping watch at sea. From dilapidated quarters to exhausting labor and mind-warping isolation, The Lighthouse goes far beyond the quaint nautical vibes we mostly equate with the coastal beacons we share on Instagram these days.

Mixing elements of fiction, fantasy, and horror, Eggers weaves a masterful tale worth of its own sea shanty. I know I’m being vague here, but going into much detail would ruin so much of the fun of this movie. Just know this: there’s enough violence, graphic imagery, sexual content, and fantastic spectacle to earn it’s R rating without going overboard!

The Blu-ray/DVD is available on January 7, 2019 and comes with three special features that make the purchase price MORE that worth it:

• “The Lighthouse: A Dark & Stormy Tale” Featurette
• Audio Commentary with Cowriter & Director Robert Eggers
• Deleted Scenes

I don’t usually visit the director’s commentary on most releases, but I desperately sought some clarification on what I saw in The Lighthouse. Watching this film, I was left with more questions than answers, but I certainly felt satisfied with this creative powerhouse. Pick up your own copy and let us know your thoughts on this weird and wonderful film below!