Don’t Turn Out the Lights (2024)

Don’t Turn Out the Lights (2024) is a supernatural horror thriller directed by Andy Fickman. The film follows a group of high school friends who reunite for a weekend road trip to a music festival. Traveling in an RV, they expect a carefree adventure filled with music and memories, but their trip takes a horrifying turn when they encounter a series of inexplicable and supernatural occurrences. As the night progresses, the group finds themselves trapped in a terrifying reality where turning off the lights may mean the difference between life and death.
Plot Summary
The story centers around Carrie Rhodes (played by Bella DeLong), a high school senior who organizes the trip with her best friends Sarah Cole (Amber Janea), Gaby Martinez (Ana Luz Zambrana), and a few others. Their journey starts off as a fun escape from their daily lives, but soon they begin experiencing strange and unsettling events. Mysterious figures appear in the darkness, eerie whispers fill the air, and shadows seem to move on their own.
As the group tries to rationalize whatโs happening, they discover that an urban legend tied to their route may be more than just a myth. According to local lore, a group of travelers vanished under mysterious circumstances on the same road years ago, with only one survivor who was found in a catatonic state, muttering the chilling warning: “Donโt turn out the lights.”
One by one, the friends start disappearing whenever the lights go out, leaving the survivors in a desperate race against time to uncover the truth and find a way to escape before they, too, vanish into the darkness.
Themes and Atmosphere
The film builds suspense through its use of lighting, shadows, and eerie sound design. The concept of being hunted in the dark adds a psychological layer to the horror, making the audience feel as if they, too, are trapped in the nightmare. The characters struggle with fear, distrust, and their own past mistakes as they fight for survival.
Critical Reception
Upon its release on September 6, 2024, Don’t Turn Out the Lights received mixed reviews. Some praised its atmospheric tension and effective jump scares, while others criticized the dialogue and pacing. As of now, the film holds a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting that while the premise is intriguing, the execution falls short in character development and originality.
Despite its flaws, the film has found an audience among horror fans who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a claustrophobic setting. It is currently available in select theaters, on Hulu, and through VOD platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and Vudu.