The Lighthouse

In the late 1800s, Ephraim Winslow embarks on a month-long journey as a wickie on a remote, desolate island. He hopes for a fresh start, but is immediately confronted by the stark isolation and harsh conditions of his new workplace.

Winslow meets his eccentric companion, Thomas Wake, who is known for his strange behavior and superstitions. Their relationship is rocky from the start, as Wake's peculiarities add to the oppressive atmosphere of the island.

On his first day, Winslow discovers a hole in his cot and finds a small wooden mermaid figurine hidden within. This discovery piques his curiosity and sets off a chain of events tied to the island's secrets and the depths of his mind.

As days turn into weeks, Winslow's routine becomes increasingly grueling, with mounting responsibilities that strain his mental state. He becomes more intrigued by the lighthouse’s light, symbolizing both hope and despair in his isolated existence.

Winslow encounters a seagull that becomes a source of obsession and paranoia. He learns from Wake that harming seagulls is taboo, as they are believed to carry the souls of dead sailors, further compounding the tension and mystery during his stay.

The line between reality and hallucination begins to fade for Winslow, leading him into unsettling dreams and visions. His psychological descent deepens as he is haunted by the depths of the ocean and the mermaid’s allure.

As the psychological strain increases, Winslow and Wake's relationship continues to sour. Alcohol becomes both a coping mechanism and a catalyst for heated confrontations that expose their vulnerabilities and fears.

In a fit of rage and desperation, Winslow brutally kills the tormenting seagull. This pivotal act unleashes a torrent of horror, intensifying their already fragile mental states and igniting the latent madness within them.

The stormy winds and relentless isolation heighten the psychological warfare between Winslow and Wake. As the power dynamic shifts, Winslow begins to experience vivid hallucinations, seeing Wake as various monstrous figures.

Desperation drives Winslow to make a frantic attempt to escape their harrowing existence. This decision leads to terrifying consequences that further entrap him within the nightmarish reality of their isolation.

Winslow reaches the top of the lighthouse, where the blinding light becomes overwhelmingly consuming. This moment marks a critical turning point where joy morphs into madness, leading him into delusional laughter that pierces the night.

The film culminates in a haunting image of Winslow, left vulnerable to the elements. Surrounded by relentless seagulls, his fate remains uncertain, echoing the themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural that permeate his experience.