With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Trailer: New Horror Flick 'Lights Out' Looks Really Creepy
The trailer for a new horror movie about a creature that pursues you when it's dark is pretty scary.
Lights Out is the name of an upcoming horror film produced by The Conjuring director James Wan, Variety reports. The new trailer, released during this weekend's WonderCon, opens with a woman in a textile factory who seems to see something—a figure lurking in shadows—every time she shuts off the lights.
This will be a familiar scene to fans of the film's origin, the 2013 short film of the same name, directed by David F. Sandberg (not to be confused with David Sandberg, director of '80s-inspired cult short Kung Fury). Sandberg's original short is simple, but superbly creepy. The same actress seen in the beginning of the trailer—Lotta Losten—appears in the short, only this time the monster is in her home. It's two minutes or so of well-crafted terror.
Support for LAist comes from
As a feature, Lights Out expands on this fear of the dark. Sandberg directed the feature, and co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Heisserer (Final Destination 5). Teresa Palmer (Triple Nine, Knight of Cups) plays Rebecca, a woman who was traumatized as a child by a monster that stalks her prey via darkness, only to find out the same horror is now tormenting her younger brother, Martin (Gabriel Bateman, Stalker). The siblings' mother is played by Maria Bello (A History of Violence), and she seems to be the reason the spooky entity has attached herself to the family.
"I always figured it would be more scary if the parent has the invisible friend. It sort of started there, and then it turned into this whole story of dealing with your parents and family history," Sandberg said at the WonderCon panel, according to IGN.
Sandberg and Losten have other skin-crawling shorts. In Closet Space, a woman learns that she can duplicate objects by placing them in a closet—but it's a not a perfect science. In Attic Panic, Losten once again deals with a mysterious figure in the dark.
Sandberg will also direct possessed doll film Annabelle 2, which comes out in 2017. Lights Out will be released on July 22, 2016.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist