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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Red Lights (2004)

Trace every key event in Red Lights (2004) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Antoine quits work to begin family vacation

Antoine quits his job at the insurance firm to meet his wife and pick up the kids for a two-week vacation in the Basque Country. They intend to beat the Friday traffic by starting the trip early and plan to meet at a local bar afterward. The decision foreshadows the personal strain that will accompany the journey.

mid-afternoon Insurance firm
2

Bar arrival reveals marital strain

Hélène arrives late at the bar, underscoring a long-standing strain in their marriage. They want to shower and eat quickly before leaving, which only adds to Antoine's mounting irritation. The shaky arrangement hints at the friction that frames the trip.

late afternoon Local bar
3

Back-road start to Tours; tensions rise

Traffic is heavy, prompting Antoine to abandon the highway and take a back road toward Tours. He refuses to let Hélène drive, and their bickering grows as he navigates while sipping drinks. The drive becomes a tense prelude to the voyage.

early evening On the road toward Tours
4

Drinking stops deepen the rift

Antoine makes several stops at local bars, drinking to dull the friction while Hélène remains in the car. The distance grows between them as the journey drags on. The back-road trip becomes a slow-burning quarrel.

evening Along the back roads
5

News of escapee and the note from Hélène

In a bar, Antoine sees a TV report about an escaped convict, underscoring danger nearby. When he returns to the car, Hélène has left him a note: 'I’m taking the train.' He is left frantic and confused, unsure what to do next.

evening Bar and car
6

Search for wife and checkpoint delays

Antoine drives to the nearest train station to search for her, but the last train has already departed. He reaches the next station only to be delayed by a police checkpoint searching for the escapee. The night tightens around him as he drifts toward despair.

late night Train stations; police checkpoint
7

Hitch-hiking ride reveals the convict

Outside a bar, a large quiet man asks for a ride to Bordeaux, and Antoine agrees. As they travel, Antoine realizes the man is the escaped convict, a revelation that strangely excites him due to the convict's 'independent' spirit.

late night On the road toward Bordeaux
8

Gas stop, whiskey, and a drunken crash

They stop for gasoline and Antoine buys a bottle of whiskey, then drinks as the convict grows irritated. The man falls asleep, and a drunken Antoine crashes the car, forcing the convict to change the tire. The uneasy dynamic tightens as they continue toward Bordeaux.

night Roadside stop
9

Confrontation ends in murder in the woods

The convict assaults Antoine, dragging him from the car into the woods. Antoine begs for a quick, painless end as they struggle for control; the convict retrieves a tire jack and the confrontation ends with Antoine beating him to death.

late night Woods off the road
10

Car disabled and wife hospitalized

After disabling the car, Antoine hitches a ride and makes numerous calls to find his wife. He learns she is hospitalized after an incident at Poitiers train station.

late night to next day Road to town; near Poitiers
11

Lieutenant informs of the aftermath

Lieutenant Levet informs him that Hélène was beaten, robbed, and raped by the convict, whose body has been found. Antoine recounts their earlier exchange but omits his own involvement in the later events, introducing moral ambiguity.

following day Hospital/Police station
12

Nightmare, apology, and reconciliation

Antoine experiences a nightmare as Hélène recovers, realizing the damage of his actions. He visits her, apologizes, and the couple reconcile, reaffirming their love.

soon after Hospital room
13

Returning home with the kids

After another day, they leave the hospital to fetch their kids and drive away along a country road, signaling a fragile but restored family life. The final image emphasizes a quieter, hopeful path forward.

final scene Hospital to country road

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:57

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Red Lights Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Red Lights

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