User reviews

I wasn't sure what to expect from the trailers. Gore and horror aren't my thing, unless it's done well, and so few are these days. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This has less to do with the supernatural and more to do with belief systems in a modern world.

The story focuses upon two scientist professors that fill in the time between classes by investigating and exposing psychic frauds, be they petulant schoolgirls or venal evangelists. So when Murphy presses to investigate a famous mystic, why is Weaver so reluctant to agree? Is De Niro gifted with extraordinary powers, or a clever con artist? The atmosphere becomes more menacing and oppressive as the film progresses, leaving me wondering whether Murphy was becoming paranoid, or whether De Niro really was targeting him. The end, though not exactly the Sixth Sense ending some are proclaiming, was certainly unexpected.

Great acting from the leads, as you would expect. Great dialogue. Not much in the way of action, nor thankfully schlock horror, but the tension mounted throughout the film. A clever and satisfying film.

"What I'm saying is that after 30 years of investigating all kinds of phenomena with the right controls in place I have yet to witness a single miracle." Paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Murphy) are the best at what they do. What they do is to go around and prove that psychic phenomena and the psychics that do them are frauds. When legendary psychic Simon Silver (De Niro) comes out of retirement and comes to the town that Matheson & Buckley live in Buckley wants his shot at him. Matheson is leery, and with good reason. I have said before that there are really only 3 ideas for movies that just keep getting remade over and over. This movie is an exception. The acting is obviously very good but the thing that I liked most about this movie is that I didn't predict the ending. Watching as many movies as I do it has become very easy to guess the endings. I did get one of the twists but the big one surprised me and I love when that happens. Other then that aspect the movie is actually very good and keeps you tense almost the entire time, with is hard to do in a movie about this subject. This is not really a fast paced movie but it is very good and tense and very much worth watching. I enjoyed it. Overall, great acting, great writing and an enjoyable movie to watch. I give it a B+.

Both the acting and the story was compelling. Cillian Murphy was fantastic and it totally made sense that he became increasingly frustrated and unhinged as the movie progressed. Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro were great as usual, but Cillian was the star.

The cover art and trailer might lead you to believe that it's a horror movie, but it's really not. Scientists try to disprove and discredit people who claim to have paranormal abilities. There are a few intense, dark, and suspenseful scenes but nothing I would characterize as horror.

I think many people are upset that the story did not end the way they had hoped. Personally, I like the surprising twist at the end and it wraps up the movie in a way you don't see coming.

Robert DeNiro, Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, and Toby Jones star in "Red Lights" from 2012.

When I first started watching this I thought, "Robert DeNiro and Sigourney Weaver in a horror film?" I don't like horror and was shocked that such fine actors would do one.

But "Red Lights" isn't a horror film despite some horror elements. It's about a paranormal debunker Margaret Mathison (Weaver) and her assistant Tom (Murphy) who go around the country exposing faith healers and mediums. Weaver teaches a class at the university, in direct opposition to the work of a fellow professor (Jones) who has a well- funded parapsychology research department.

When renowned Uri Geller type Simon Silver (DeNiro) decides to come out of retirement, Tom insists to Margaret that they work on debunking Silver, and she refuses, giving her reason in a moving monologue.

Nevertheless, Tom persists, putting himself in danger, bringing the film to a powerful ending.

I am not sure why this film has such a low rating - I enjoyed it. True, of the two big twists, one was easily guessed.

The acting was wonderful, and as someone wrote, it was great to see Sigourney Weaver, who like many actresses has aged out of leading lady status, regrettably. When she was in her twenties, she had the voice lesson after mine. She went on to a wonderful career, and she should still have one.

I love Cillian Murphy, one of the most interesting-looking actors around. He gives an excellent performance. DeNiro as Silver is his usual strong presence.

I thought the ending was fabulous! The film itself is slightly reminiscent of a '60s film, "The Power" starring George Hamilton and Suzanne Pleshette.

Honestly, I don't even truly know what I just watched. Did I, however, absolutely thoroughly and undeniably enjoy it? You betcha! That's probably thanks to the outstanding cast, rather than anything else.

Cillian Murphy is utterly superb in this, I loved his performance as Tom. It's no surprise given what else he has done, he's a great actor to watch. Murphy isn't alone in 'Red Lights' though, as he is joined by other notable performers. Sigourney Weaver (Margaret) and Robert De Niro (Simon) are also terrific, they add a lot with what they give. You also have Elizabeth Olsen (Holly) and Toby Jones (Paul) involved too. Top casting!

On the other hand, the premise - or at least how it's shown - isn't as great as it could've been. I still enjoyed it wholly, but that's probably because the film makes a lot of noise around the story and builds up the tension well. However, when you break it down after watching it isn't anything as outrageous as you might feel at the time - at least that's how I view it. Some more development into the characters would've been nice, for example.

Nevertheless, the film done its job and made me feel entertained and enthralled into what was happening. It's difficult to criticise it due to that, to be honest. I'll leave it to others to dive deeper into it, but all I can say is I practically loved it.

I thought this was an excellent thriller movie. Perhaps too much hyped by comparison to Sixth Sense, but I would just watch and be pleasantly surprised by the journey.

Although starting off slow, it gets better. The only thing I have to complain about, is that this movie LOOKS like it takes place in 1980s, but apparently its 2011 (revealed later on in the movie). As I was watching, I was thrown off by the modern day Macbook and Blackberries, where everything else was archaic and dingy - like the cars, clothing and equipment.

I also very much liked how the plot is spelled out for the audience as if we could not figure it out. Some things were better left unsaid, and just shown to you as the movie continues. It's something movies today lack - as if the audience needs the explanation.

If you like psychological thrillers, you'll like this one. It reminded me of movies like Pi, Memento etc. I wish there was more movies like this.

I would watch a 2 hour movie of Cillian Murphy laying out by the pool (which is why I think women of all ages rank this movie higher than men)!! So, I guess technically my rating may be a bit skewed... but honestly:

Not a very fast movie, more of thinker. If you like 'magic, ESP, or clairvoyants and the questioning of the existence, using a true scientifically measured study - this may be the best film I've seen in this class. But, these stories usually take a while to set-up the Gift, then the display and attempt to prove or disprove the Gift, with a climatic ending - solving the theory.

RECOMMENDATION: Highly watchable! While it's more intellectual, it's definitely a roller-coaster of who's doing what, how are they doing this.. etc..etc..

Red Lights is the second psychological thriller from the writer/director of Buried, Rodrigo Cortes. When physicist Tom Buckley and his boss Margaret Matheson (a university academic who engages in paranormal investigations) discover their department's funding is being funneled to the supernatural studies department, and not long after Simon Silver, a psychic who vanished 30 years prior, comes out of hiding to perform one last time. Tom begins investigating into Silver, against Matheson's wishes, and soon events spiral out of control, building to a conclusion that will shake reality.

Rodrigo Cortes is a truly skilled director who made a name of himself with the claustrophobic-hit film Buried (which also is Ryan Reynolds' best acting performance), but here, he doesn't necessarily solidify his position as a phenomenal director, but one who can offer a unique vision on recycled plot elements. The script was, I thought, fabulous. Sure, there was one twist you saw coming because of foreshadowing, but there were a couple that really just came out of nowhere. Even if you saw the one coming, it truly offered a very lonely and feeling of being an ant in a world where the greatest secrets are right in front of our eyes. The acting was superb as well, especially Cillian Murphy who really deserves more leading roles. His transformation from loyal assistant to obsessed investigator is great, as reality begins to break down in his eyes. Robert De Nero was great as Simon Silver, the blind magician who, seemingly, is very powerful. Sigourney Weaver was good as Matheson, offering a more emotional role than what she's normally done.

The musical score by Victor Reyes is haunting and very imaginative, offering a slight homage to Hans Zimmer's The Ring and David Julyan's Cabin in the Woods. The production design was very impressive too, and somewhat elaborate, given the dark, gloomy settings in which the intense activity takes place.

Overall, Red Lights is a very inventive and creepy thriller that's far above average. I've very disappointed with critics and viewers with this movie; why is there so much hatred surrounding it? Either way, a damn good thriller that's better than most in the recent years, although it isn't for everyone as it is a bit slow and more thought-provoking.

8.5/10 Stars

Why Margaret Matheson was killed in movie and by who.. Can someone explain me this concept... The movie was all good and does not have a proper grip at the end... and if her assistant has the powers why did he killed her..

Why Margaret Matheson was killed in movie and by who.. Can someone explain me this concept... The movie was all good and does not have a proper grip at the end... and if her assistant has the powers why did he killed her..

Why Margaret Matheson was killed in movie and by who.. Can someone explain me this concept... The movie was all good and does not have a proper grip at the end... and if her assistant has the powers why did he killed her..

Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver are a pair of university lecturers by day, and moonlight as supernatural sleuths, revealing the fraud of supposed psychics everywhere and boasting of their success to anyone who will listen. When a world-famous psychic, "Silver", comes to town on a final tour before his retirement, Murphy is determined to prove he is just as much a fraudster as those who have come before him. But, as the twists pile up, everything is not as it seems. What starts out as a rather dull version of "Insidious", evolves into a poignant and charismatic thriller that will have you guessing and chasing the truth alongside the films protagonists. It is a breath of fresh air that has been diligently written to keep you glued to the screen from start to finish. Little crumbs are left scattered in the first act to hint at the conclusive revelation, but you will never see it coming. "Red Lights" is reluctant to resort to set pieces and special effects and manages to squeeze a whole-lot of suspense and entertainment out of its engrossing story, remaining both emotionally taut and intellectually sound at the same time. Quite why most critics have condemned the film is beyond me. Make up your own mind, but if there's one thing you do, watch Red Lights for yourself!

I do not understand the bad reviews this movie has. I really liked it, and as a true skeptic, its right up my alley.

Cillian (pronounced Sillian, not Killian, as many do. C before i (and e) is always pronounced S in English. There are no exceptions) is always good, and so is Sigourney.

Sigourney Weaver is the no-nonsense academic debunker leading a team including Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen, exposing fraudulent psychic charlatans. A staunch skeptic, she's always able to uncover the tricks of the trade of clairvoyant chancers via science and sense, except that is for her nemesis - Robert DeNiro's blind celebrity psychic showman, who may just be the real deal.

No expectations for this film. Turned out to be quite interesting. Give it a try. If you like good stories.

No, but really. This movie was a well built, emotionally balanced, cinematic experience. The acting was superb (minus this one Weaver scene that was poorly acted - in my opinion, of course, for what it's worth), Cillian Murphy impressed me, as he typically does, Elizabeth Olsen was forgettable in not only performance but also in plot significance, DeNiro was good, maybe not amazing, but good is enough I think. The plot was exciting; not overtly obvious plot twists made for an intellectual rollercoaster that didn't insult its audience by telling you the answer to every question. The motifs and gentle directorial notes made it thickly layered, offering each viewer a unique perspective on the same story. Murphy carried this film on his back, because while the plot may be worth the watch just on its own, the cast couldn't have carried on without him. Every scene he was in dripped with style and eloquence, elevating the plot and performance of other actors that were alongside him. The character, interestingly enough, wasn't all that developed by the writers, but given substance and value by Murphy's knockout performance.

Post modernism has been prevalent across the world for decades, and now the world is getting into another new era - era of spirit. People are sick and tired of chasing materials and now seeking inner peace. But they are not turning back to ancient religions and gods..they seek something else. Psychic - which is a controversial concept - could be one of the object they seek and like in this time of chaos. We have known numerous paranormal psychics who bends metal spoons, predict the 3rd world war..So scientific debunker's' activity was so compatible with the psychics'. The film "Red lights" starts from "Is psychic real?" the cliché.

The main narration of this film is debunking Silver's show and prove that he is also a fake. The plot runs to the end with this sole goal, and the last 10 minutes of the film shows a brilliant twist.

The audience(Me) does not understand what the film tries to say to the audience, Is it that important to testify that there IS NOT a ghost and paranormal activity? Is that the subject of the film?

The last twist deserves to be a savior for those who are so uncomfortable with this flatness of the script. Now we do not have to worry about it, yes, there is psychic in the world of movie. Silver was proved to be a swindler but still we have a new hope -.... Only in that point, this movie plays its role.

This is a really well-made , intelligent, interesting thriller film.

Still in training was the young pup! Hey look CM, if you're on with Sigourney W and Robert DN, don't even try to outplay them on screen. You just looked silly. It was a good story, just go with it....

Really enjoyed this movie. It's unusual, thrilling, all the actors do an excellent job and the twists are great. If you're looking for something 'new' and different to watch, that doesn't compromise on quality or star power, and that will genuinely surprise you, try this movie.

Bravo! Bravo! Finally, a movie with an outcome you won't predict and a conclusion which won't disappoint. As you know the two aren't often delivered together.

The only thing that could have put this movie into the 10 range would be a soundtrack by Mr. Glass. If you want that movie...check out The Illusionist.

I'll assume you've familiarized yourself with some other reviews and therefore have a handle on the basics (story line, genre, characters, etc.). So I'll forgo getting tactical or delving into those details.

The most striking observation I'd like to share with you is this. I found the flick's resilience to providing answers to my endless ever questioning refreshing. Right down to the occasional semi-intelligible dialog. Or characters drawing conclusions (especially in the opening scene) markedly different from my own. Why? Why? Why? Became Good! Good! Good! Keep me guessing, keep me interested.

I loved the way the movie blended decades. The setting is current given the use of laptops and other electronic technology. The haircuts, furniture and washed out colors make me second guess that assumption. It made me wonder. Made me recall the 70's.

And that brings me to the end of my review. Solid cast, A-List actors and actresses. Story to wake up to. Red Lights made me wonder. The whole way through.