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Thriller

The Lighthouse (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Lighthouse (2018) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$18.1M
Echo Score
79
The Lighthouse (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Chris Crow
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$11M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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

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.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Lighthouse

· 8 more
Ratings

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).

79 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$18.1M

1.6× its budget

US & Canada
$10.9M
International
$7.2M
Budget
$11M
US & Canada 60% Rest of the world 40%
Videos

The Lighthouse Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 8 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 18 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser "White Phillip" UK Spot
  • Teaser "This Rock" UK Spot
  • Teaser "Sledgehammer" UK Spot
Quiz

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

  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

Who plays the character Thomas Wake in the film?

Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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