The Lighthouse (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Lighthouse is a 2018 thriller directed by Chris Crow, starring Mark Lewis Jones as Thomas Griffiths, Michael Jibson and Ian Virgo. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $18.1 million worldwide on a $11 million budget. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Chris Crow
- Genre
- Thriller
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Soda Pictures
- Budget
- $11M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Lighthouse About?
The premise of The Lighthouse without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In 1801, two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Howell and Thomas Wake, are stationed on the remote Smalls Island Lighthouse. A violent storm cuts them off from the mainland, leaving them stranded and increasingly isolated. As weeks turn into months, tensions rise and their grip on reality begins to unravel, leading them down a disturbing path of paranoia, madness, and despair amidst the unforgiving landscape.
The Lighthouse Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- two word title
- co written by director
- british
- isolation
- lighthouse
- tension
- drunken man
- drunkenness
- boat
- bell ringing
- bell
- fog
+38 more Show fewer
- storm
- punched in the face
- fistfight
- beating
- widower
- loss of wife
- loss of daughter
- haunted by the past
- conversation
- prayer
- voice over narration
- diary
- irish sea
- year 1801
- storm at sea
- death
- coast
- suicidal
- pistol
- flintlock pistol
- hanging
- lantern
- winch
- minimal cast
- dead man
- dead body
- talking to oneself
- insanity
- island
- rowboat
- scene during opening credits
- coffin
- lighthouse keeper
- what happened to epilogue
- ends with text
- bare knuckle fighting
- man killed
- 1800s
Where to Watch The Lighthouse
Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
The Lighthouse Cast & Characters
Mark Lewis Jones leads the cast as Thomas Griffiths, with Michael Jibson as Thomas Howell and Ian Virgo as Company Man #1. Directed by Chris Crow; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Chris Crow
-
Mark Lewis Jones as Thomas Griffiths - Michael Jibson as Thomas Howell
-
Ian Virgo as Company Man #1 - Joshua Richards as Jones
Also Starring in The Lighthouse
· 8 more- Gerald Tyler MacDonald
- Nathan Sussex Taylor
- Stephen McDade Fisherman
- Jason May Company Man #2
- Charles Curran Men In Mist
- David Shillitoe Men In Mist
- Greg Mothersdale Company Man 3
- Nick Pratt Sailors In Tavern
The Lighthouse Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Lighthouse 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Lighthouse Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Lighthouse delivers a striking visual and auditory experience while presenting a deliberately paced narrative. The film’s artful direction and high production values earn consistent praise, and the performances provide nuanced emotional depth. However, the slow burn structure and thematic ambiguity lead to uneven engagement for some viewers. This balance of strong artistic achievement and challenging storytelling yields a film that appeals to audiences seeking immersive atmosphere over conventional plot clarity.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
Art & Craft shines in its visual presentation. In terms of cinematography, the black-and-white 35mm photography and claustrophobic aspect ratio create an immersive frame. The production design and period detail consistently reflect the isolated setting, and the measured editing sustains tension in confined spaces. This focused craft approach leaves a lasting impression of visual coherence and technical precision.
- Character & Emotion 80
Character & Emotion benefits from powerful performances. When it comes to acting, the leads deliver nuanced portrayals that convey escalating psychological strain. Emotional resonance emerges through the evolving dynamic between the lighthouse keepers, capturing their descent into anxiety and isolation. Overall, the film achieves a strong sense of character depth supported by committed and precise performances.
- Story & Flow 60
Story & Flow presents an original premise tempered by uneven pacing. In terms of plot coherence, the confined setting and slow burn structure create a credible, if occasionally meandering, progression. The deliberate pacing is immersive for some but feels prolonged to others, and narrative ambiguity can challenge straightforward engagement. Ultimately, the story delivers distinct moments of tension but maintains a structural unevenness.
- Sensory Experience 85
Sensory Experience stands out through its cohesive sound and visual design. In terms of soundtrack and sound design, the subtle score and ambient effects generate persistent unease without overwhelming the frame. The visual style, including stark contrasts and textured images, reinforces the claustrophobic atmosphere. Together, these elements offer a consistent sensory tension that underpins the film’s psychological intensity.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Rewatch Factor is moderate due to the film’s demanding style and narrative ambiguity. When considering replay value, the atmospheric craft and performances can reveal new details on subsequent viewings, yet the slow pacing and opaque storyline may deter repeat audiences. While some viewers might appreciate further analysis on rewatch, the film’s deliberate structure limits broad replay appeal.
-
IMDb 5.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 58 Metascore
User score 4.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.0 /5
30K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.1 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Lighthouse Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Lighthouse 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
The cinematic journey unfolds as Thomas Wake, a seasoned lighthouse keeper, begins a four-week stint with his new assistant, Ephraim Winslow. Settling into their isolated quarters, the oppressive environment sets a somber and foreboding atmosphere. Wake, an experienced keeper, has witnessed many colleagues come and go, but there’s an unusual aura surrounding this newcomer that catches his attention. On the other hand, Winslow finds himself intrigued by a hidden mermaid figurine, which adds an air of mystery to the narrative.
Full summary
The whole story of The Lighthouse, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Lighthouse Box Office & Budget
The Lighthouse grossed $18.1 million worldwide on a $11 million budget, 1.6 times what it cost. $10.9 million came from the US and Canada and $7.2 million (40%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$18.1M
1.6× its budget
- US & Canada
- $10.9M
- International
- $7.2M
- Budget
- $11M
The Lighthouse Trailers & Videos
18 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 8 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser "White Phillip" UK Spot
- Teaser "This Rock" UK Spot
- Teaser "Sledgehammer" UK Spot
How Well Do You Know The Lighthouse?
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
Who plays the character Thomas Wake in the film?
The Lighthouse Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “Светионик” and “라이트하우스”.
- Also known as
-
- Светионик
- 라이트하우스
- 더 라이트하우스
- A Világítótorony
- El faro
- Dəniz Fənəri
- Փարոսը
- Фарът
- Der Leuchtturm
- 燈塔
- Маяк
- O Farol
+18 more Show fewer
- 灯塔
- Le phare
- Maják
- Ο Φάρος
- Deniz Feneri
- המגדלור
- Farul
- เดอะ ไลท์เฮาส์, შუქურა
- Ngọn Hải Đăng
- ライトハウス
- Švyturys
- Bāka
- المنارة
- Svjetionik
- الفنار
- लाइटहाउस
- Majakas
- Svetilnik
Seen The Lighthouse?
Movies Like The Lighthouse
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Lighthouse, The Lighthouse Keepers and The Lighthouse by the Sea.
The Lighthouse FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Lighthouse, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was The Lighthouse released?
The Lighthouse was released on July 6, 2018.
Who directed The Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse was directed by Chris Crow.
More films by Chris Crow Who is in the cast of The Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse stars Mark Lewis Jones as Thomas Griffiths, Michael Jibson as Thomas Howell and Ian Virgo as Company Man #1, among 12 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Lighthouse?
In the US, The Lighthouse is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Lighthouse make at the box office?
The Lighthouse grossed $18.1 million worldwide ($10.9 million domestic, $7.2 million international) on a budget of $11 million.
How is The Lighthouse rated?
The Lighthouse has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Does The Lighthouse have a post-credit scene?
No. The Lighthouse has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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