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Horror thriller

Sightless (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Sightless (2020) movie poster

Sightless is a 2020 horror thriller directed by Cooper Karl, starring Madelaine Petsch as Ellen, Alexander Koch and December Ensminger. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes. Its Echo Score is 53/100.

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Sightless (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Cooper Karl
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sightless About?

The premise of Sightless without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following an attack that leaves her blind, Ellen retreats from society to heal. As she struggles to adjust, she becomes increasingly convinced that the person who harmed her is back, hiding nearby. Unable to convince anyone of the danger she perceives, Ellen must confront her fears and fight to protect herself from a threat no one else can see.

Sightless Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • blind person
  • violin
  • scene after end credits
  • psychological thriller
  • bandage over eyes
  • blind girl
  • world
  • jumping off a balcony
  • woman in a shower
  • man punches a woman
  • woman pulled across a floor
  • blind protagonist
+38 more
  • redheaded woman
  • hospital
  • blinded by an attack
  • brother sister relationship
  • close up of eyes
  • talking through a door
  • home care nurse
  • male nurse
  • camera shot of a woman's feet
  • unknown person
  • cordless telephone
  • isolation
  • bolting upright from a nightmare
  • bleeding eyes
  • parakeet
  • perception
  • violinist
  • static on tv screen
  • blind woman uses a cane
  • woman takes a shower
  • tossing and turning
  • next door neighbor
  • seattle
  • blindness
  • car alarm
  • abusive husband
  • nurse female patient relationship
  • mutual attraction
  • stolen kiss
  • voice mail
  • intruder
  • gas mask
  • not returning phone calls
  • no one believes the protagonist
  • suicide letter
  • falling on the floor
  • padded room
  • zippo lighter
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Cast & crew

Sightless Cast & Characters

Madelaine Petsch leads the cast as Ellen, with Alexander Koch as Clayton and December Ensminger as Lana. Directed by Cooper Karl; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sightless

· 6 more
Ratings

Sightless Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

53 /100

Sightless Echo Score Breakdown

Sightless delivers a conceptually intriguing thriller that polarizes viewers. While its premise of visualizing blindness and occasional plot twists engage a segment of the audience, inconsistent pacing and moments of far‑fetched storytelling undermine its cohesion. Critics note both compelling elements and excesses, and user ratings span from enthusiastic to dismissive. The net effect is a mixed reception that places the film in the modest middle of the rating scale.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Sightless showcases an ambitious visual strategy to depict blindness, using subdued palettes and selective framing that some reviewers find effective. The production design supports the confined setting, yet editing choices contribute to a languid opening that hampers momentum. Critics recognize the film’s stylistic intentions, but note inconsistency in execution, resulting in a moderately positive assessment of its craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, Madelaine Petsch’s portrayal is cited as a highlight, delivering nuance to the blind protagonist. Supporting performances receive mixed remarks; some viewers appreciate solid acting, while others criticize lack of depth and chemistry. The emotional resonance fluctuates, with moments of tension offset by uneven character development, leading to an overall moderate view of the film’s acting quality.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The story and flow present a blend of originality and conventional thriller tropes. The central mystery, anchored by an unexpected twist, engages portions of the audience, yet the narrative suffers from vague exposition and pacing issues, especially during the early minutes. Critics describe portions as far‑fetched, and several users label the plot unclear, resulting in a below‑average assessment of narrative coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is a noted strength, with the film’s attempt to visualize blindness through muted color schemes and selective sound design receiving praise. The soundtrack’s blues‑inflected tones complement the protagonist’s perspective, and specific visual motifs, such as the recurring bird, add atmospheric depth. While some technical elements feel under‑utilized, the overall sensory palette contributes positively to the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    The rewatch factor is modest; viewers who appreciate the central premise and visual experimentation may find merit in subsequent viewings, while those distracted by pacing and plot inconsistencies are unlikely to return. Some users note continual intrigue and a satisfying twist, yet others describe the film as formulaic and forgettable. Consequently, the film offers limited replay value for a broad audience.

Plot

Sightless Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Sightless from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Following a brutal attack in a parking lot, violinist Ellen Ashland wakes up in hospital to learn that she has been blinded. During her recuperation she receives a phone call from her brother, who says he has found an apartment for her. Clayton, a nurse her brother has hired, arrives to care for her as she begins to adjust to life without sight. Ellen soon finds herself waking in a strange new apartment with no memory of traveling there, while Clayton helps her navigate the sudden darkness and the disorienting silence.

Full summary

The whole story of Sightless, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Sightless Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Sightless.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sightless?

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 was Ellen Ashland's profession before the attack?

Details

Sightless Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “As Cegas” and “Körü Körüne”.

Also known as
  • As Cegas
  • Körü Körüne
  • Körlük
  • Незрячая [Sightless (2019)]
  • Невидящая
  • Às Cegas
  • A Ciegas
  • 迷盲
  • תועה באפלה
  • Po omacku
  • Χωρίς Όραση
  • 어둠을 보았다
+12 more
  • Незрячая
  • Világtalan
  • Điểm Mù Chết Chóc
  • Nevidomá
  • 盲目殺機
  • Сліпа
  • Imperceptible
  • サイトレス
  • Oarbă
  • الكفيفة
  • โลกมืด
  • Slijepa

Seen Sightless?

FAQ

Sightless FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Sightless, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sightless?

Sightless runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Sightless released?

Sightless was released on September 29, 2020.

Who directed Sightless?

Sightless was directed by Cooper Karl.

Who is in the cast of Sightless?

Sightless stars Madelaine Petsch as Ellen, Alexander Koch as Clayton and December Ensminger as Lana, among 10 credited actors.

Does Sightless have a post-credit scene?

No. Sightless has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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