When the Lights Went Out

When the Lights Went Out is a 2012 British horror film directed by Pat Holden, featuring celebrated actors including Kate Ashfield, better known for her stellar performances in Shaun of the Dead, Steven Waddington famous for The Imitation Game, and Craig Parkinson from the hit series Misfits and Line of Duty.

Set in 1974, the film takes the viewer to West Yorkshire, characterized by its simple charm, cozy home setting, and the everyday life rhythm of a typical British neighborhood. It is here the Maynard family, including the parents Jenny (Ashfield) and Len (Waddington), and their teenage daughter Sally (Tasha Connor), decide to start a new life after moving into their new house, a council home that they describe as their “dream home.”

Contrary to their initial excitement and expectations, their dream quickly swivels to a nightmare when the family starts to experience disturbing paranormal activities. It’s everyday horror too closely tied to the ordinary life rendered in such details that one can easily relate to. The unearthly manifestations start subtly—a tap opening by itself, a door swinging close without anyone pushing it, chairs moving about on their own—but soon escalate to more serious and terrifying evidence of a menace they cannot comprehend or control. The constant flickering of lights prefaces the rising intensity of these inexplicable incidents.

The narrative construct of the movie is built on the true-story of the infamous ghost haunting known as the “Black Monk of Pontefract" or "The Pontefract Poltergeist." The director of the movie, Pat Holden, has shown a personal connection to the story as his mother grew up in the area.

Parallel to the narrative of the Maynard family's struggle is the broader socio-political context, including the power-cuts and miner's strikes - a difficult time remembered as the ‘Winter of Discontent.' The real-life economic bumps that Britain was enduring during the mid-70s inadvertently flow into the movie script, adding an extra layer of realism to the story.

Among the main characters, performances stand out; Kate Ashfield, as the deeply worried mother, brings her strong acting skills to the forefront, crafting a profound emotional anchor for the audience. Steven Waddington likewise delivers a heartfelt and relatable performance as Len, the head of the family doing his best to protect his family. And as the teenage daughter of the family, newcomer Tasha Connor portrays a sense of innocence and vulnerability befitting of her character.

The filmigraphy deserves a special mention for its potent ability to create a realistically grim, dimly lit atmosphere, replete with the general flair and setting of the ’70s. The director further employs brilliant use of sound design setting up a spine-chilling ambiance consistently throughout the film.

It is a film that distinguishes itself from the regular ‘place curse’ or ‘demon possession’ and focuses on the genre's psychological aspects of horror, bypassing any usual jumpscares. When the Lights Went Out explores the terrifying journey of an ordinary family caught in extraordinary circumstances that possess no logical explanation.

While the use of factual events attempts to create a sort of authenticity, the film leans heavily into the supernatural, leaving a lasting eerie feeling on the viewer long after the screen goes dark. Holden masterfully combines real-life terror with supernatural horror, creating a haunting narrative that leaves the audience with thrilling suspense and lingering apprehension.

The film manages to straddle the genre divide between being a horror film and an exploration of a family's fight against something beyond their comprehension. As much as it is a supernatural thriller, it is also a narrative of human courage and familial bonds.

Believers in paranormal activity will be drawn in by the true-story basis of the film and the lingering question of what we don’t understand in this world. Even for those skeptical about supernatural beings, When the Lights Went Out is a chilling thriller that will leave audiences clutching their seats and peeking through their hands. It is an engaging horror story grounded in reality and historical lore that will charm both horror and non-horror film fans alike.