Movie review
October 18, 2019 · 109 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The Lighthouse is a 2019 black-and-white psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers. Two lighthouse keepers in 1890s New England descend into madness through isolation, brutal power struggles, hallucinations, and folklore elements like mermaids and a cursed seagull. The story examines masculinity, authority, guilt, and repressed desire in a strictly historical and mythological frame with no modern political, identity, or social-justice messaging visible in the plot, dialogue, or marketing.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Lighthouse.
Woke representation / casting
Casting fits the 1890s isolated New England outpost perfectly with two white male leads; no audience-visible diversity emphasis, swaps, or signaling.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue stays in character as period swearing, tall tales, and raw personal conflict with zero modern activist language or messaging.
Identity-driven story themes
Explores toxic power dynamics, domination, and repressed male desire between the two leads through 1890s psychological and folklore lenses; director noted homoerotic subtext but presented it as historical rather than contemporary identity affirmation.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Personal and hierarchical conflicts unfold in a historical maritime setting; no reframing as modern activist critique of patriarchy, capitalism, or Western norms.
Woke character or canon changes
Production
Not relevant. Original story inspired by Poe and sea lore with no canon alterations.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No documented complaints or debates accusing the film of woke, DEI, or left-wing identity politics; reception remained artistic.
Creator track record context
Key creatives like Robert Eggers prioritize historical fidelity and have resisted altering stories for current social trends; supporting producers and crew show minimal activist involvement overall.
