Film director Robert Eggers eases the eagerness of fans of “The Witch,” his 2015 horror crossed with historical drama, to see more of his work, as “The Lighthouse” reached theaters on Oct. 18. Despite his reputation for slow-moving works, “The Lighthouse” is difficult to place into any one category. Presented in black-and-white, in one setting and with only two main characters, the film is sure to leave audiences talking, as soon as the theater’s lights flicker on.

The film, set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1890s, follows a seasoned lighthouse keeper Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and his apprentice Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson). 

The story begins with Winslow arriving to the island, where he will reside with Wake, for work. After his arrival, it becomes clear that these men are the only ones who will be staying there, save for the obnoxious seagulls that pester Winslow. 

The two men’s relationship sets for a rocky sail as the keeper lures the quiet young man to open up in conversation during their daily dinners. What starts off as an innocent, shallow relationship evolves as the men, intoxicated, descend into a power struggle fueled by madness.

A notable aspect of this film is the amount of the story that is left up to the viewer’s interpretation. Eggers teases the audience by playing with the concept of time, which both Winslow and the viewer lose track of. As the days pass by, you begin to wonder (as does Winslow) how long the two men have been on the island, and if the young man is ever going to depart like he planned.

Adding to the blur between reality and fantasy is the infusion of folklore in the form of sirens—what you might consider a key feature of a sinister tale told out at sea. 

The siren imagery is first introduced to the story when Winslow comes across a small siren figurine in the house. From then onward, the sirens serve as a vehicle to represent the men’s sexual desires and fantasies, which may add to their insanity.

Sure to stand out to viewers is the cinematography, as the film is beautifully shot using a technique that digital recording would not have been able to achieve. The camera lenses used for filming date back to 1912 and the 1930s. 

Using micro-contrasting, the cinematographers were able to acquire a “musty black and white” look, adding to the old-fashioned, isolated ambiance of the film, according to cinematographer Jarin Blaschke in an interview with Variety.

Despite the film’s resemblance to a horror timepiece, it doesn’t fall short of delivering comedic relief. The relationship between the two men is, at times, a comedy in itself, with dark, twisted humor. You might just find yourself laughing out loud at unexpected moments—more often than you expected. 

Whether you are a fan of horror, are curious about Pattinson’s performances past “Twilight” or have a soft spot for stellar cinematography, “The Lighthouse” should make your list of spooky stories to watch this fall.