The Lighthouse Explained: What Is the Movie Really About?

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Introduction
The Lighthouse's Plot Summarized
What Does Thomas Howard See in the Light?
What Happens At The End Of The Lighthouse?
Themes and Symbolism Explored
Was The Lighthouse A Critical Or A Commercial Success?

The Lighthouse Explained: What Is the Movie Really About?

Curated by

cdteliot

7 min read

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The Lighthouse, a 2019 psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers, follows two lighthouse keepers descending into madness while isolated on a remote island. Filled with haunting imagery, ambiguous symbolism, and powerful performances by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, the movie has sparked much discussion and analysis since its release.

The Lighthouse's Plot Summarized

The Lighthouse, set in the late 19th century, follows two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson), as they tend to a remote lighthouse on a desolate island off the coast of New England.

The film explores the psychological effects of isolation and the deterioration of the human psyche when subjected to extreme conditions. As the weeks progress, the relationship between Wake and Winslow becomes increasingly strained, with Wake asserting his authority and subjecting Winslow to grueling tasks and verbal abuse.

The two men descend into alcoholism and madness, experiencing vivid hallucinations and paranoia. Winslow becomes obsessed with the lighthouse's mysterious light, which Wake forbids him from accessing.

The film incorporates various allegorical elements and allusions to mythology, particularly Greek and Christian mythology. Winslow's character arc mirrors that of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and was punished for his transgression.

The lighthouse itself serves as a symbol of divine knowledge and power, with Wake as the gatekeeper and Winslow as the seeker of forbidden truths.

The Lighthouse also draws upon Christian imagery, with themes of temptation, sin, and redemption woven throughout the narrative. Winslow's descent into madness and his ultimate fate can be interpreted as a metaphor for the consequences of succumbing to one's base desires and the struggle between good and evil within the human soul.

As the film reaches its climax, Winslow's grip on reality completely unravels. In a final confrontation with Wake, Winslow kills him and ascends to the top of the lighthouse, where he experiences a blinding, transcendent moment before falling to his death.

The ambiguous ending, with Winslow's body being pecked by seagulls in a manner reminiscent of Prometheus' eternal punishment, invites multiple interpretations about the nature of his journey and the consequences of his actions.

Through its intense performances, striking visuals, and rich symbolism, The Lighthouse offers a haunting exploration of the human psyche, the struggle for power and knowledge, and the consequences of isolation. Its allegorical elements and mythological references add depth and complexity to the narrative, inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of human existence and the eternal battle between light and darkness within the soul.

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What Does Thomas Howard See in the Light?

In the climactic scene of The Lighthouse, Thomas Howard (Robert Pattinson) finally ascends to the top of the lighthouse and gazes into the blazing light of the Fresnel lens. The exact nature of what he sees is left ambiguous, but it appears to be a moment of profound revelation and transcendence for the character.

One interpretation is that Howard experiences a form of divine or cosmic knowledge upon looking into the light. Throughout the film, the lighthouse and its beacon are imbued with a sense of mystical power and forbidden knowledge, with Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) serving as a gatekeeper to this mysterious realm. By finally accessing the light, Howard achieves a kind of enlightenment or epiphany, albeit at the cost of his physical destruction.

Alternatively, the blinding light may represent a confrontation with the character's own psyche and the dark truths that lie within. The film's exploration of isolation, madness, and the blurring of reality and delusion suggests that what Howard sees in the light is a reflection of his own fractured mental state. The moment of revelation, then, could be interpreted as a final, shattering realization of the depths of his own insanity and the futility of his quest for meaning or purpose.

Given the film's rich symbolism and mythological allusions, the light may also signify a direct encounter with the divine or the supernatural. The Lighthouse draws upon various mythological and religious motifs, including references to Prometheus, Proteus, and Christian imagery. In this context, Howard's experience in the light could be seen as a form of divine revelation or a confrontation with the gods themselves, leading to his ultimate downfall in a manner reminiscent of tragic Greek heroes.

Ultimately, the ambiguity surrounding what Thomas Howard sees in the light is central to the film's enigmatic nature and its invitation to multiple interpretations. Whether viewed as a moment of transcendent knowledge, a plunge into the depths of madness, or an encounter with the divine, the scene represents the culmination of the character's psychological and spiritual journey, offering a haunting and thought-provoking conclusion to the film's central themes.

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What Happens At The End Of The Lighthouse?

The enigmatic ending of The Lighthouse has been the subject of much interpretation and debate. In the climactic scene, Winslow finally gains access to the lantern room atop the lighthouse, where he experiences a blinding, transcendent moment before falling to his apparent death.

The final shot depicts Winslow's naked body lying on the rocks, seagulls pecking at his exposed entrails, evoking the Greek myth of Prometheus.

One interpretation suggests that Winslow's fate is a punishment for his hubris and his desire to uncover the forbidden knowledge represented by the lighthouse's light. Like Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, Winslow's transgression leads to his eternal torment.

This reading aligns with the film's themes of the consequences of overreaching ambition and the futility of seeking ultimate truth or power. Another perspective proposes that the ending represents Winslow's ultimate liberation from the cycle of oppression and madness that characterized his time on the island. By finally accessing the lantern room and embracing the light, Winslow achieves a form of transcendence or enlightenment, even as it leads to his physical destruction.

This interpretation emphasizes the film's exploration of the blurred lines between reality and delusion, and the potential for transformation through confronting one's deepest fears and desires. Alternatively, the ambiguity of the ending has led some viewers to question the reality of the events depicted. Given the film's surreal, dream-like quality and the characters' unreliable narratives, it is possible that some or all of the climactic events are imagined or hallucinatory.

This reading highlights the film's themes of the psychological toll of isolation and the difficulty of distinguishing between reality and madness. Ultimately, the open-ended nature of the lighthouse's conclusion invites multiple interpretations, reflecting the film's complex symbolism and psychological depth. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition, a meditation on the search for meaning in a chaotic world, or a surreal exploration of the human psyche, the ending of The Lighthouse offers a haunting and thought-provoking resolution to its central conflicts.

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Themes and Symbolism Explored

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The Lighthouse explores a range of complex themes and symbolic elements that contribute to its rich, layered narrative:

Isolation and madness: The film delves into the psychological toll of extreme isolation, as both characters gradually lose their grip on reality, experiencing vivid hallucinations and paranoia. The claustrophobic setting, enhanced by the black-and-white cinematography and 1.19:1 aspect ratio, amplifies the sense of entrapment and mental deterioration.
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Mythological references: Director Robert Eggers draws heavily from Greek mythology, particularly the myths of Prometheus and Proteus. Winslow's fate mirrors that of Prometheus, who was punished by Zeus for stealing fire and giving it to humanity. Winslow's obsession with the lighthouse's light symbolizes his quest for forbidden knowledge, leading to his ultimate punishment—being pecked alive by seagulls, akin to Prometheus' eternal torment.
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Power and control: The lighthouse itself serves as a symbol of power and control. Wake's refusal to let Winslow access the light represents his dominance over his subordinate. This power struggle culminates in Winslow's violent rebellion and his eventual downfall when he finally reaches the light.
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Masculinity and homoeroticism: The film explores themes of toxic masculinity and repressed homoerotic tension. The phallic symbolism of the lighthouse represents the characters' struggle for dominance and self-gratification. Their relationship oscillates between moments of tenderness and violent outbursts, reflecting the complexities of male identity and power dynamics.
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Psychoanalysis: Eggers incorporates psychoanalytic elements, particularly the Oedipus complex, into the narrative. The father-son dynamic between Wake and Winslow is fraught with tension, admiration, and fear, culminating in Winslow's act of patricide. This dynamic is further complicated by Winslow's hallucinations and the film's surreal, dream-like quality.
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Was The Lighthouse A Critical Or A Commercial Success?

The Lighthouse, directed by Robert Eggers, was a critical success and received numerous accolades from film critics and associations worldwide. The film's unique artistic vision, powerful performances, and technical achievements were widely praised, cementing its status as a standout independent film of 2019. The Lighthouse received recognition from various American film critic associations. The San Diego Film Critics Society awarded Willem Dafoe with the Best Supporting Actor prize, while also nominating the film for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Robert Pattinson), and Best Cinematography.

The Austin Film Critics Association named The Lighthouse one of the top ten films of 2019 and awarded Best Actor to Robert Pattinson.

The Detroit Film Critics Society and the Houston Film Critics Society both nominated the film for Best Picture and Best Actor (Pattinson).

The San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle awarded Best Actor to Pattinson and Best Supporting Actor to Dafoe.

On the international stage, The Lighthouse also garnered significant praise. The film received a nomination for Best Cinematography at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), highlighting the stunning black-and-white visuals captured by cinematographer Jarin Blaschke. The Lighthouse was also named one of the best British films of 2019 by the British Film Institute, despite being an American production, due to the involvement of British actor Robert Pattinson and the film's co-financing by Film4, a British film production company. Critics praised the film for its bold artistic choices, including the decision to shoot in black-and-white, the use of a 1.19:1 aspect ratio, and the incorporation of period-accurate dialogue. The performances by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson were universally acclaimed, with many critics citing their work as some of the best of their careers.

While The Lighthouse may not have been a major box office success due to its arthouse nature and limited release, it was undoubtedly a critical triumph. The film's numerous accolades from American and British film organizations underscore its status as one of the most impressive independent films of 2019, cementing Robert Eggers' reputation as a visionary filmmaker and further establishing Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two of the most talented actors of their generation.