Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Dim the Fluorescents (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Dim the Fluorescents (2018) movie poster

Dim the Fluorescents is a 2018 comedy drama directed by Daniel Warth, starring Brendan Hobin as Bradley, Anna Maguire and Clare McConnell. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
Echo Score
75
Metascore
65
Loading streaming availability…
Dim the Fluorescents (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Daniel Warth
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dim the Fluorescents About?

The premise of Dim the Fluorescents without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Ambitious performers and writers find themselves navigating the compromises of a creative life, exchanging theatrical pursuits for the demands of corporate presentations. Trading the allure of the stage for the pressure of sales, they grapple with the challenge of reconciling artistic dreams with the realities of a world increasingly defined by corporate language. To succeed, they must confront the need to temper their passions and adapt to a modern landscape that often prioritizes practicality over artistic expression.

Dim the Fluorescents Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • first time director
  • playwright
  • demonstration
  • role playing demonstration
  • corporate training
  • audition
  • strained friendship
  • sorting receipts for tax
  • brocken glass on floor
  • one dialogue role
  • crashing a party
  • heated argument
+7 more
  • three word title
  • sex in bed
  • sleeplessness
  • ditching a conference
  • avoiding confrontation
  • date in disguise
  • independent film
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Dim the Fluorescents Cast & Characters

Brendan Hobin leads the cast as Bradley, with Anna Maguire as Harriet and Clare McConnell as June. Directed by Daniel Warth; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dim the Fluorescents

· 6 more
From the director

More from Daniel Warth

One more film directed by Daniel Warth: Untold Hours.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dim the Fluorescents Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dim the Fluorescents 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

75 /100

Dim the Fluorescents Echo Score Breakdown

In Dim the Fluorescents, engaging performances and dynamic visual style stand out but recurring narrative tangents and prolonged runtime undermine its momentum. Critics highlight the leads’ nuanced chemistry and genuine emotional interplay, alongside inventive camera movement that revitalizes indie conventions. However, the plot occasionally fragments into disparate subplots, leading to uneven pacing and coherence concerns over its two-hour duration. Overall, the film offers an appealing showcase of craft and character, tempered by structural unevenness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film delivers inventive cinematography and bold visual composition through its showy camera moves and theatrical aesthetics. Observers praise the framing choices that inject energy into static scenes, yet direction occasionally wanders amid assorted tangents, diluting focus. Production design remains cohesive with a restrained color palette, but editing allows superfluous content to linger. The result is visually engaging overall, though directional clarity wavers.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    In terms of Character & Emotion, the film is anchored by the leads’ compelling rapport and nuanced performances. Reviewers note the protagonists’ genuine chemistry and emotional authenticity, which lend depth to their artistic struggles. Dialogue and interactions are engaging, balancing earnest moments with understated humor. The supporting cast offers relatable flourishes, enriching the ensemble’s dynamic. Overall, character development emerges as the film’s most persuasive element, driving emotional resonance throughout.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative showcases inventive structural choices and a climactic set piece that coalesces earlier plotlines. Critics acknowledge moments of originality as characters deliver mini-performances. However, episodic tangents and extended runtime contribute to uneven pacing and occasional confusion in plot coherence. The film’s structural irregularity detracts from a consistently smooth narrative. Overall, story execution feels uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film employs bold visual style and dynamic camera movement to offset the subdued norms of indie cinema. Reviewers praise its theatrical aesthetic and confident framing that enhance dramatic moments. Soundtrack and design details support the energetic tone, even if these elements remain secondary to visual flair. Overall, sensory elements are a notable strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s strengths in performance and visual inventiveness may inspire repeat viewing, yet its uneven pacing and episodic structure limit lasting appeal. While dedicated viewers might appreciate discovery of subtle thematic threads, the narrative’s tangential moments hinder a fully rewarding second experience. Overall, rewatch value is moderate but not compelling.

Plot

Dim the Fluorescents Plot Summary

What happens in Dim the Fluorescents from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

This film unfolds a beautifully crafted, visually striking narrative centered around a bespectacled female scriptwriter and her complex, affectionate yet fraught relationship with a profoundly talented but emotionally troubled actress. As the story develops, we witness the internal struggles of the actress who grapples with her passions for acting, coupled with frustrations towards the character she has been assigned to play in the script penned by the writer. A pivotal scene looms ahead in the future, marked on their calendar, which ultimately holds the key to unraveling the intricate dynamics between the troubled actress and her creative counterpart.

Full summary

The whole story of Dim the Fluorescents, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Dim the Fluorescents Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dim the Fluorescents.

Dim the Fluorescents Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dim the Fluorescents?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What profession does the main female character hold?

Details

Dim the Fluorescents Also Known As

Also known as “灰暗之光”.

Also known as
  • 灰暗之光

Seen Dim the Fluorescents?

FAQ

Dim the Fluorescents FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Dim the Fluorescents, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dim the Fluorescents?

Dim the Fluorescents runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Dim the Fluorescents released?

Dim the Fluorescents was released on January 12, 2018.

Who directed Dim the Fluorescents?

Dim the Fluorescents was directed by Daniel Warth.

More films by Daniel Warth

Who is in the cast of Dim the Fluorescents?

Dim the Fluorescents stars Brendan Hobin as Bradley, Anna Maguire as Harriet and Clare McConnell as June, among 10 credited actors.

How is Dim the Fluorescents rated?

Dim the Fluorescents has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 44% on TMDB.

Does Dim the Fluorescents have a post-credit scene?

No. Dim the Fluorescents has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app