Nightlight
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Nonsensical, annoying "lost in the woods" horror movie.
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Nightlight
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What's the Story?
Shy Robin (Shelby Young) finally has a chance to hang out with a boy she likes, Ben (Mitch Hewer). Unfortunately, she's been invited for a game of "nightlight," which takes place in the scary woods -- which are rumored to have strange, evil forces living within, as well as strict rules to follow (never carve your name anywhere). The game begins; it's basically hide-and-seek with flashlights, and Robin soon finds herself lost and scared. She finds the stuck-up Nia (Chloe Bridges), who seems to be helplessly falling asleep and exhibiting other strange behaviors. Eventually, Robin's secret comes out; her best friend committed suicide in these woods, and she blames herself. Will the friends ever get out of the woods alive?
Is It Any Good?
Since its debut in 1999, The Blair Witch Project has inspired dozens of imitations and knock-offs, but perhaps none so close to the source -- and yet so uninspired -- as NIGHTLIGHT. Baffling and constantly distracting, the movie uses flashlights as the "cameras" that record all action and sound. If the light goes out, the picture and sound both cut out. Whenever something "scary" appears, it's either obscured or gone too fast, thanks to the swishing, jerking effect.
Heavy-handed music and sound effects provide a sudden, percussive "WHAM!" every time we're supposed to be scared. Not one image or idea in the movie hasn't been used before, including the "character with his back to the camera" bit and the "camera" flying and landing cockeyed on the floor. The characters barely exist, their behavior is puzzling, and their reasons for being in the woods ("let's play a scary game!") are ridiculous. Perhaps worse, the movie clumsily uses teen suicide as a running theme. It's lights out for this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Nightlight's violence. How much is shown and not shown? Does it feel gory or excessive, or does it generate suspense/dread?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of this kind of horror movie with unseen enemies? And what's the appeal of "found footage" horror movies? How are they different from other movies?
What does the movie have to say about teen or twentysomething suicide? Is it OK to bring up a subject like that and not address it in a meaningful way?
How is peer pressure depicted in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 27, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: May 26, 2015
- Cast: Chloe Bridges, Shelby Young, Mitch Hewer
- Directors: Bryan Woods, Scott Beck
- Inclusion Information: Latinx actors
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Horror
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language throughout including sexual references, and some violence
- Last updated: June 2, 2023
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