Red Lights

Red Lights

Year: 2004

Runtime: 105 min

Language: english

DramaThriller

Renowned psychologist Margaret Matheson investigates the return of a charismatic psychic, whose past is shrouded in mystery. As she probes his abilities and examines his history, she becomes increasingly suspicious of his claims and the events surrounding his return. The investigation leads her and her team down a thrilling path, blurring the lines between reality and illusion and raising questions about the nature of belief and perception.

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Timeline & Setting – Red Lights (2004)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Red Lights (2004). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Basque Country, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux, France

The action unfolds along western France’s highways and small towns, moving from bars to busier checkpoints. The Basque Country region provides a scenic backdrop for a family vacation that spirals into a desperate, solitary road trip. The setting emphasizes everyday places—gas stations, train stations, and hospital—where extraordinary violence erupts.

🗺️ French highways 🏞️ Basque Country landscape 🏙️ Small-town bars

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

Main Characters – Red Lights (2004)

Meet the key characters of Red Lights (2004), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Antoine (Jean-Pierre Darroussin)

Antoine is a tense, middle-aged man who seeks control amid a failing relationship. His impatience and drinking reveal a fragile ego that can lash out when pushed. The road trip forces him to confront his own limits, inclinations toward violence, and capacity for remorse. He ultimately seeks reconciliation with Hélène, acknowledging the damage he has caused.

💼 Tense ⚖️ Morally conflicted 🥃 Impulsive 👨‍👩‍👦 Family man

Hélène (Carole Bouquet)

Hélène is a practical, strong-willed wife whose patience wears thin under mounting strain. She prioritizes routine and safety, and she makes a decisive move by leaving with the train. Her later assault and hospital stay test her resilience, but she demonstrates lasting resolve and a willingness to forgive.

💬 Reserved 🧭 Independent 💪 Resilient 🫂 Vulnerable

Convict (Vincent Deniard)

The large, quiet escapee arrives as a catalyst who exerts physical control and challenges the moral boundaries of the other passengers. His independence and menace push Antoine toward a violent confrontation. Although ultimately dead, his presence destabilizes the couple's fragile safety and exposes the consequences of fear-driven decisions.

🧭 Independent 🗡️ Violent 🛣️ Roadbound

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

Major Themes – Red Lights (2004)

Explore the central themes of Red Lights (2004), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Marital Strife

An ongoing strain in Antoine and Hélène's marriage drives the narrative, exposing unmet expectations and mounting irritations. The road trip becomes a pressure cooker where small slights escalate into confrontation. The film uses close, claustrophobic driving sequences and bar conversations to reveal how distance, pride, and fear corrode trust. The couple's attempt at reconciliation shows a fragile hope that love can survive severe breaches, even after violence.

🛣️ Independence

The escaped convict embodies a rogue sense of independence that intrigues Antoine and disrupts their moral boundaries. The encounter tempts Antoine to romanticize a life beyond rules and consequences. The film explores how fascination with freedom can blur ethical lines and push individuals toward violence. This theme culminates in a deadly choice that tests loyalty to family over personal thrill.

🌙 Redemption

After the crisis, Antoine is haunted by nightmares and guilt about the events he participated in or witnessed. The hospital scene becomes the moral fulcrum where truth and denial collide. The couple's decision to confront their mistakes and forgive each other marks a fragile, hard-won redemption. The ending, with them driving away together, suggests that love endures even when past actions darken the present.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:25

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Red Lights Summary

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Red Lights Summary

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Red Lights Timeline

More About Red Lights

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