Christian Sesma’s latest gritty action packed feature is hitting cinemas, digital platforms and on demand services from 16th February 2024. I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview and here are my thoughts on the film.
(Poster courtesy of Quiver Distribution)
Starring Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Jaime King, Dermot Mulroney and British Action Man Scott Adkins. The synopsis of “Lights Out” 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.
Basically it is a story that has been told many times in such films as Ben Ramsey’s “Blood and Bone” and even UK indie “Sucker Punch” from Fight Commentator extraordinaire Malcolm Martin which featured a young Tom Hardy before blockbuster fame. However what makes “Lights Out” stand out from the crowd is the twist that the bad people are the cops, this element definitely throws a curve ball into proceedings.
The opening sequence we meet Grillo’s “Duffy” who is a washed up homeless veteran who is going from bar to bar gambling to get by. After a disagreement with his fellow gamblers Duffy trades blows in explosive fashion. This scene is shot superbly and the fight choreography is nothing flamboyant but gets the job done. Phifer’s “Max Bomer” eyes light up with dollar signs when he witnesses Duffy in action, he can see a big pay day coming. He convinces Duffy to fight for cash despite his worries he goes along with the plan as he can see the money. Unfortunately unknown to Duffy the people Bomer is dealing with the worse scumbags of them all, crooked cops.
Left Mekhi Phifer “Max Bomer” Frank Grillo “Michael “Duffy” Duffield” Left Jaime King “Ellen Ridgway” (Photos courtesy of Quiver Distribution)
Played by Jaime King “Ridgway” is a cold blood hard nosed B*tch who won’t settle for anything but her own way. When Duffy starts to ruffle feathers in her little plan of underground fighting by killing one of their own, even worse money has gone missing and someone has to pay for it. Bomer’s family are in the direct firing line and it is time to play dirty.
Left Dermot Mulroney “Sage Parker” Amaury Nolasco as “Fosco” (Photos courtesy of Quiver Distribution)
A character throughout who is as bad as they come however you sometimes feel sympathetic towards Demot Mulroney’s “Sage Parker”. He is what he is, a low life money laundering, underground fight promoter who just wants to keep getting richer. He somehow has got involved with Ridgeway and her band of dirty cops. He is as much a victim as Duffy and Bomer by the end of the film. He gets what he deserves in the end, despite throughout you wanting him to turn good and join Bomer and Duffy’s cause. Throughout the film you learn of Duffy’s past through multiple flashbacks which depict his time in service and battles where he lost his fellow troops. This is clearly the root course of his extreme PTSD and why he over protective of anyone who he let’s get close. The final showdown is upon them and they need some help with fire power. Cue Scott Adkins in the form of “Don” an ex military solider who served under Duffy back in the war. There is nothing new that we haven’t seen from Adkins in his previous incarnations of an ex military character, it is nice to hear him with his British Accent. Despite Duffy only wanting assistance with guns, Don insists he comes along to repay for him saving his life multiple times in battle.
Left Scott Adkins “Don “The Reaper” Richter” Grillo’s “Duffy” and Phifer’s “Bomer” Right Scott Adkins brings him British flare as “Don” (Photos courtesy of Quiver Distribution)
The shoot out is something to behold it does not disappoint. There are shots fired, blood, kills and explosions, everything you want in a final battle to the death. Not everyone survives, however I will let you find out. Christian Sesma ties his film up with a nice tidy bow at the end with no loose ends.
Left Grillo’s “Duffy and Phifer’s “Bomer” make a plan Right Mulroney’s “Sage Parker” friend or foe (Photos courtesy of Quiver Distribution)
Frank Grillo provides a great performance in his ex military homeless character however it doesn’t reach his acting heights of “Kingdom”, Mekhi Phifer brings to life his caring family man who has a troubled past that keeps pulling him back in. The talented trio of Adkins, Mulroney and King all add that extra spice to proceedings. The fight choreography at times was a little choppy and shaky cam for my liking however overall it delivers on what you expect. An added bonus was the soundtrack, I am a huge fan of sound complimenting the visual and in this case it delivers beautifully. The direction and storytelling from Christian Sesma brings a gritty yet emotional story that is fast pace, flows well and nothing slows down. With a run time of only 1 hour 30 minutes it is the perfect film for a Saturday night with a pizza and beer. If you are looking for a gritty action flick that packs a punch then “Lights Out” is for you.
My final verdict I give “Lights Out” a respectable 4 out 5 Knuckle Fists
