When the Lights Went Out: A Ghost Story with Flickering Charm

Alright mates, so I just saw “When the Lights Went Out,” directed by the talented Pat Holden. You know, sometimes you stumble upon something that carries a bit of both excitement and doubt, and that’s exactly how I feel right now. It’s a British horror flick, based on true events, and it stars Kate Ashfield, who you might remember from “Shaun of the Dead” – quite a leap from zombies to ghosts, eh?

Now, the film takes us back to the 1970s. Ah, the ’70s. I swear, the wallpaper alone scares me more than anything – those drab ochre patterns. The plot follows a family haunted by a mischievous spirit in their new Yorkshire home. It kind of reminds me of when I was a kid in Småland, playing hide and seek in the attic. You know, that creepy feeling when you’re sure there’s something just out of sight? Yeah, those tingles were real.

The atmosphere is spot on, with creaky floors and ominous shadows, but maybe it tries a bit too hard sometimes. I’ve got a confession: I was half expecting Benny Hill to sprint through the living room with all that 70s kitsch background. The sound design keeps it eerie, like the feeling when you hear Knut Knutsons’ voice on TV, but as a ghost… if that makes sense?.

There’s something about how Holden mixes the domestic with the supernatural that feels unique. But here’s the nagging bit – I reckon the story could’ve adopted a few Swedish sensibilities. You know, a bit of subtlety rather than going all in like a Midsummer feast. “Let the Right One In,” anyone?

So, give it a whirl if you’re into a bit of ghostly nostalgia. It might not revolutionize horror as we know it, but it sure takes you on a quirky ride back in time. Like riding your mom’s old Volvo on a misty November night. Cozy but slightly terrifying.

Check the trailer below