Andy Serkis is frigging mesmerizing.

Lights Out- Surprisingly effective high-concept horror flick from a YouTube filmmaker who made it big. Nothing groundbreaking, but a terrific central performance from Maria Bello gives her character more depth than the script. The allegory is a bit muddled-without spoiling the ending, let’s just say that what it suggests about depression has been highly controversial. The characterizations are serviceable, if a little thinly sketched, but the scares are lots of fun, and the movie has a good time adding a new icon to the horror pantheon.