Keep the Lights On (2012): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Keep the Lights On is a 2012 drama directed by Ira Sachs, starring Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth and Julianne Nicholson. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $388,331 worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2013. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Stream it on Cineverse and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Ira Sachs
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Music Box Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Keep the Lights On About?
The premise of Keep the Lights On without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This poignant drama explores a decade-long relationship between two men in New York City. Erik, a documentary filmmaker, and Paul, a lawyer struggling with his sexuality, forge an intense connection complicated by love, intimacy, and addiction. As they face personal challenges and confront their inner demons, Erik grapples with his own identity and the consequences of his choices, ultimately leading him on a path toward self-discovery and potential redemption.
Keep the Lights On Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- documentary filmmaker
- gay love
- year 1998
- drug addict
- new york city
- gay
- phone sex
- hiv test
- drug addiction
- gay club
- gay sex
- gay kiss
+38 more Show fewer
- closeted homosexual
- gay hustler
- male frontal nudity
- male nudity
- interracial relationship
- documentarian
- 1990s
- 2000s
- publishing house
- year 2000
- year 2003
- year 2006
- dane abroad
- film within a film
- gay hookup
- lawyer
- friendship
- listening to sex
- jumping into water
- swimming
- christmas present
- christmas
- interview
- surprise birthday party
- surprise party
- birthday party
- birthday
- orgasm
- masturbation
- art gallery
- shower
- shared shower
- radio show
- false name
- intervention
- infidelity
- breakup
- christmas dinner
Where to Watch Keep the Lights On
Stream it on Cineverse and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Keep the Lights On Cast
Thure Lindhardt leads the cast, with Zachary Booth and Julianne Nicholson. Directed by Ira Sachs; 4 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Ira Sachs
Keep the Lights On Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Keep the Lights On 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
-
IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
20 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Keep the Lights On Plot Summary
What happens in Keep the Lights On 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
In 1998, Erik, portrayed by Thure Lindhardt, is a Danish artist residing in the vibrant city of New York. He has a serendipitous encounter with Paul, played by Zachary Booth, through a phone sex hot-line, where their undeniable attraction quickly leads to an intimate liaison. Erik later hangs out with Russ, who seems more focused on showcasing his physique than engaging in anything romantic. In a heartfelt conversation, Erik reveals to Paul about his difficult past with his ex-boyfriend, Paolo, who was HIV-positive, expressing how being with Paul makes him feel joy again. Erik confides in his friend Claire, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson, emphasizing his newfound happiness with Paul in contrast to his previous relationship.
Full summary
The whole story of Keep the Lights On, scene by scene
Keep the Lights On Box Office
Keep the Lights On grossed $388,331 worldwide. $246,112 came from the US and Canada and $142,219 (37%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$388.3K
- US & Canada
- $246.1K
- International
- $142.2K
Keep the Lights On Awards & Nominations
Keep the Lights On earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2013.
4 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2013 4 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Ira Sachs
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Thure Lindhardt
- Nominated Best Screenplay
Keep the Lights On Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.
- Featurette 2012 Ira Sachs: "Keep the Lights On"
- Featurette Ira Sachs In Conversation
How Well Do You Know Keep the Lights On?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Paul have in 'Keep the Lights On'?
Keep the Lights On Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “为你流的泪” and “Laisse la lumière”.
- Also known as
-
- 为你流的泪
- Laisse la lumière
- Deixa as Luzes Acesas
- Deixe a Luz Acesa
- Не гаси светлината
- Ostavi upaljena svjetla
- Κράτα ένα φως αναμμένο
- Zostań ze mną
- Остави упаљена светла
- Işıkları Açık Bırak
- Ánh đèn thắp sáng
- 点亮灯光
+4 more Show fewer
- Не выключай свет
- Поддържай светлините
- 라잇 온 미
- 為你流的淚
Seen Keep the Lights On?
Movies Like Keep the Lights On
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Living End, 200 American and Sex.
Keep the Lights On FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Keep the Lights On, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Keep the Lights On?
Keep the Lights On runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was Keep the Lights On released?
Keep the Lights On was released on September 7, 2012.
Who directed Keep the Lights On?
Keep the Lights On was directed by Ira Sachs.
More films by Ira Sachs Who is in the cast of Keep the Lights On?
Keep the Lights On stars Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth and Julianne Nicholson, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Keep the Lights On?
In the US, Keep the Lights On is streaming on Cineverse, Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Keep the Lights On make at the box office?
Keep the Lights On grossed $388,331 worldwide ($246,112 domestic, $142,219 international).
How is Keep the Lights On rated?
Keep the Lights On has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.
Was Keep the Lights On nominated for any awards?
Keep the Lights On received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.
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