You value independent local news, so become a sustainer today to power our newsroom.
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.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
