LIGHTS OUT

From the very first scene, the "monster" of this film is revealed - but that doesn't make things any less scary. As with all good horror, it's not about what you do see, but what you don't that will make you jump in your cinema seat. The fact that this presence lurks around every dimly-lit corner means it can appear anywhere at any time, and provides plenty of plot points to startle you.

All in all, the characters seem to have an above-average IQ for a horror movie; they don't make anywhere near as many faux pas as other victims from their genre - perhaps besides carrying one flashlight too few at all times. The story only falls short in its necessity to spell out very clearly everything that's come before. The backstory to the entity hellbent on haunting the family is a little unconventional, but gives a substantial rationale for its desire for the dark, and while adding a slight psychological element, pales in comparison to the likes of 'The Babadook'.

Teresa Palmer is having a fantastic run in Hollywood at the moment; this might not be the pinnacle of the Adelaide-born actress' career, but her role as Rebecca comes off as an respectable performance for the horror genre. Maria Bello plays the mentally unstable mum well, convincing through to the very pivotal finale. Still, 10-year-old Gabriel Bateman runs rings around his castmates - this kid has the skills for scary movies, and with his existing CV, he knows it.

Unless you have nerves of steel (or no soul), you're guaranteed to get a freight out of 'Lights Out'. Putting a new spin on an old horror trope has made this an above-average addition to the genre. Just make sure you see it during the daytime. With a friend. And when you ask yourself late at night if there's something in the closet or under the bed, it's just one more reason to say - yes, there is.