‘Lights Out’ – Demands a spot on your must-watch list

Cast: Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Scott Adkins, Dermot Mulroney and Jaime King

Synopsis: A homeless veteran, Michael “Duffy” Duffield (Grillo), meets a talkative Ex-Con, Max Bomer (Phifer) who notices Duffy’s skills after he gets into a bar fight and offers him a well-paying “job” competing in underground fight clubs. The pair form an unlikely partnership after their first fight and decide to travel to LA so Duffy can atone for his past and Max can pay back a crime boss, Sage Parker (Mulroney). Duffy enters Sage’s fight club and eventually wins, but it also gets him tied up in the crime world and offered jobs he can’t refuse, including one with Sage’s partner and Police officer, Ellen Ridgway (King). The deeper Duffy goes in this world, the more deadly it gets.

Frank Grillo’s best role in years! ‘Lights Out’ is a gritty action flick that brings back the glory days of cinema. With a script by Chad Law and Garry Charles and direction by Christian Sesma, it’s a cinematic experience that hits all the right notes for action enthusiasts

Two names you can trust when it comes to action movies, Chad Law and Christian Sesma. These two guys team up to deliver a fun throwback movie that pays homage to the classic movies of the 80’s and 90’s. Many have mentioned the likening to Road House. Not sure I get the connection as Duffy (Grillo) nor works at a bar or is a renowned bouncer, he is an ex soldier who drifts from place to place, not settling down and doing enough just to get by. So far I’m sensing a resemblance to Reacher. After Duffy gets into a bar fight, Mekhi Phifer’s character, Max, see’s potential in his abilities and takes him under his wing and introduces him to the world of underground fighting. Soon Duffy and Max are on their way to LA with Duffy agreeing to fight to clear Max’s debt to Sage (Dermot Mulroney) , a local loan shark. We get to see Duffy interact with Max’s sister and niece and sort of become a solid family friend. The fighting for family and friends made me think this resembled Van Damme’s movie Lionheart.

A fun throwback movie paying homage to classic action films of the 80s and 90s. The plot may be simple, but the action is anything but.

Lights Out is a movie you can sit around with some friends, food and beers and kick-back and enjoy, sure the plot is simple and you don’t need to be in the zone to watch it, for instance like a Christopher Nolan movie. Lights Out harkens back to the classic day of movies, this is the one you would see in Blockbuster featured alongside a cardboard cutout of Grillo and immediately think, this is my movie for the weekend!

Grillo’s standout performance, pays homage to the golden era of action films. A must-see for fans of the genre!

Grillo is perfectly cast as war veteran Duffy and this has to be Grillo’s best role in years. It’s been a while since we have seen him take a leading role with an amazing script to go with it. Duffy is a memorable character and just like Reacher, the option for more movies is there. Duffy is my favourite Grillo character since Leo Barnes in The Purge series. Duffy gives Grillo room to showcase his acting and action abilities, sure we get to see Duffy bust many heads but he also suffers from PTSD which Grillo portrays superbly, he can be in a fight in beast mode and then suddenly get flashback from war and become quite vulnerable, a transition that Grillo masterfully pulls off. The action genre is the perfect home for Grillo and even when he is on-screen in action scenes with the likes of Adkins, he holds his own and his fight with Donald Cerrone was great. In addition to his physicality, Grillo excels in conveying the emotional depth of Duffy, allowing viewers to connect with the character on a visceral level. His chemistry with co-star Mekhi Phifer adds another dimension to the film, creating a dynamic partnership that enhances the overall impact of the story.

Christian Sesma assembles an all-star supporting cast that elevates ‘Lights Out’ to blockbuster status. Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King, Dermot Mulroney, and the incomparable Scott Adkins each deliver performances that add layers of intensity and intrigue. A powerhouse ensemble that propels this action-packed thrill ride into a league of its own

The supporting cast which showcases Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King and Dermot Mulroney all deliver top performances. Phifer’s character Max, is a good guy who has inadvertently made some bad choices, he just wants to do right by his family and loyalty is something he holds dear. Dermot Mulroney can play any role in his sleep and this is no different, though even though he is a crime boss and he has demands and is ruthless there is also a sense of loyalty about him, he would quickly beat you to make a point rather than kill you. Jamie King and long-time Sesma collaborator, Paul Sloane play two corrupt detectives who are the puppeteers of every character’s involvement in the story, while Sloane is sort of the loose canon attack dog, Jaime King is the calculated and deadly instigator who sees no lines being blurred in her incredibly corrupt self. Jaime is amazing in the role as you love to hate her character and are just waiting for karma to catch up with her. Scott Adkins has a smaller role as one of Grillo’s ex-war buddies. With a magnetic on-screen presence and unparalleled martial arts skills, Adkins transforms Reaper into an unforgettable force within the narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the film’s dynamic ensemble.

In the realm of action, Christian Sesma stands as a silent maestro, and ‘Lights Out’ is his symphony of adrenaline. Despite being criminally underrated, Sesma’s direction speaks volumes, delivering top-tier action that echoes the classics. ‘Lights Out’ proves that Sesma may be unsung, but his cinematic prowess is a force to be reckoned with.

Christian Sesma is like William Kaufman, a f*****g amazing action director who for some reason isn’t getting the credit he deserves. These guys know action like the back of their hand and their movies feature some of the most fun action set pieces, whether they be shootouts or fist fights. A good example is Kaufman’s last movie, The Channel had some brilliant shootouts through the city of New Orleans while Sesma’s star studded revenge thriller, Section 8 featured some brilliant fight scenes and tense shootouts. Sesma yet-again delivers a raw throwback to the good old days of action movies, In “Lights Out,” Sesma demonstrates a keen mastery of action, weaving together a narrative that seamlessly blends heart-pounding fight sequences and intense shootouts. His directorial prowess is evident in the film’s meticulously choreographed and visually stunning action set pieces, showcasing an innate ability to capture the essence of classic action films.

Buckle up for ‘Lights Out,’ where the perfect storm of Chad Law’s gripping narrative, Christian Sesma’s masterful direction, and Frank Grillo’s stellar performance collide to create an action masterpiece. A throwback to the golden era of cinema, this film isn’t just a movie – it’s a pulse-pounding, heart-racing experience that reignites the thrill of classic action with a modern edge. ‘Lights Out’ isn’t just entertainment; it’s a cinematic celebration that demands a spot on your must-watch list.

Overall, Frank Grillo delivers a compelling and gritty performance in “Lights Out.” As the homeless veteran, Michael “Duffy” Duffield, Grillo brings a raw intensity to the character, skillfully portraying the struggles and complexities of a man haunted by his past. His physicality in the underground fight scenes is impressive, capturing the essence of a seasoned warrior navigating a brutal world. Christian Sesma deserves acclaim for his contribution to the genre, consistently delivering movies that not only entertain but also pay homage to the essence of classic action cinema. The combination of Sesma’s directorial finesse and Grillo’s stellar performance in “Lights Out” results in a cinematic experience that truly celebrates the artistry of action filmmaking. Chad Law’s contribution to the screenplay of “Lights Out” elevates the film’s narrative with a skillful blend of gripping storytelling and well-crafted dialogue. As a seasoned writer in the action genre, Law showcases his ability to create a gripping and dynamic script that complements the intense action sequences directed by Christian Sesma.

LIGHTS OUT will be released In Theaters, On Digital, and On Demand on February 16th, 2024.