Lights Out (2016) Ending Explained [Updated]

Last updated on October 25th, 2024 at 10:06 pm

Lights Out (2016) is a supernatural thriller directed by David F. Sandberg and produced by James Wan, known for films like The Conjuring and Insidious. The movie stars Teresa Palmer, Maria Bello, and others.

The story centers around a family facing an eerie presence that emerges only in the dark, adding suspense and mystery as the plot unfolds. As the characters work to uncover the truth about this mysterious entity and its connection to Rebecca, the protagonist, audiences are left with lingering questions about the entity’s origin and nature. In this article, we’ll delve into the ending of Lights Out to explore the hidden layers behind this supernatural figure.

Lights Out Ending Explanation & Plot Twists in Details

* * * Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen the movie yet, turn back now! * * *

Paul, a character working the night shift, is chatting with his son, Martin, who expresses concern about his mother, who seems unwell and is talking to herself. Paul reassures Martin, mentioning that he’s taking steps to help her. After the chat ends, Paul reviews some files about Mulberry Hill when Esther, a colleague, offers to work overtime. He lets her leave, and as Esther notes down schedules, she notices the lights flickering. She senses something eerie, so she heads to the storeroom to check the lights. There, she glimpses a shadowy figure in the darkness. Shocked, she flips the switch again, and when the shadow moves forward, Esther, feeling unsettled, hurries to warn Paul.

After her warning, Paul walks through the building, sensing something ominous as he tries to keep the lights on. Suddenly, everything goes dark, and he confronts a shadowy figure. Feeling the danger, he moves quickly, but when the lights fail, he finds himself in peril.

In the following scene, we see Rebecca, lying in bed as her friend leaves, hoping for another chance to connect with her. We notice a photo featuring her with Martin, connecting the characters.

Meanwhile, Paul’s wife—whom he mentioned earlier—appears troubled, and Martin overhears her talking as if someone else is present, though no one else is there. Martin becomes anxious, sensing a presence in their locked room, which leaves him unable to sleep. Exhausted, he dozes off at school for the third time, prompting the school to contact his family. When they can’t reach his mother, they call his older half-sister, Rebecca. Martin confides in her about the unsettling events, mentioning the name “Diana.” Realizing the gravity of the situation and noticing their mother isn’t taking her medication, Rebecca takes Martin to stay with her.

Read more, The Forest (2016) Ending Explained

That night, Rebecca senses an unsettling presence and narrowly escapes an attack by turning on the light. She finds her younger brother, Martin, sleeping in a well-lit box, comforting him as she realizes the intensity of his fear. The next morning, Child Protective Services (CPS) arrives to take Martin back to his mother, Sophie. Though Rebecca tries to explain her concerns, the officer insists that Sophie is Martin’s legal guardian and hints that Rebecca would need to meet certain requirements to gain custody.

After CPS leaves, Rebecca notices the name ‘Diana’ scrawled on her floor—a sign that confirms her fears. Memories from her own childhood resurface, including a haunting sketch of her family with a shadowy figure, ‘Diana,’ in the background. She meets with her friend Bret and apologizes, confiding in him that Diana is real. Together, they gather information about Diana at her mother’s house, but their search is interrupted by a frightening attack that Bret helps Rebecca escape. They decide to show CPS their findings to prove that Sophie may need help.

Meanwhile, Sophie tries to reconnect with Martin, suggesting they spend time together by watching a movie. But Martin, sensing something wrong, nervously asks to keep it just the two of them. Sophie’s reaction is a mix of sadness and unease.

That night, as the movie plays, Sophie begins to tell Martin about her history with Diana, making him anxious as Diana’s shadow looms. Terrified, Martin runs to turn the lights on, narrowly avoiding Diana. When Rebecca and Bret are discussing the past, Martin arrives, and Rebecca comforts him, sharing what she has learned: Diana’s connection to their mother seems to worsen when Sophie is emotionally vulnerable, meaning that strengthening Sophie could sever Diana’s influence.

Later, they hear knocking but find no one outside, heightening their apprehension. As Rebecca investigates, Martin is suddenly pulled by an unseen force, but she manages to rescue him. Determined to protect her family, Rebecca confronts her mother about Diana, whom Sophie insists is a friend. Sophie struggles to believe Rebecca, feeling betrayed, and accuses her of trying to take Martin away with fabricated stories. Rebecca, sensing her mother’s distress, chooses to stay the night, and Bret stays to help.

The trio prepares the house with extra lights, aiming to stay safe until morning. When Rebecca says goodnight to Sophie, Sophie quietly hands her a note asking for help, hinting that Diana’s influence is stronger than ever. In a desperate search, Rebecca finds discarded medication, realizing Diana’s control is linked to her mother’s declining mental state.

Suddenly, the lights go out. Rebecca rushes to the basement to reset the power, while Bret checks outside. Martin, now alone, uses a candle to protect himself from Diana’s looming presence. Diana soon turns her attention to Bret, forcing him to escape outside, but her pursuit is relentless. Bret barely escapes by starting his car engine, while Rebecca and Martin search for more light sources.

Sophie, waking alone, confronts Diana, pleading with her to leave her children unharmed. Diana reacts violently, and in a moment of clarity, Sophie finds her medication, realizing the depth of Diana’s influence.

Who is Diana? How did she get introduced to Sophie?

Diana’s unsettling origin traces back to the basement, where her father tragically ended his own life. Sophie first encountered Diana years earlier at Mulberry Hospital while receiving treatment for depression. Diana possessed an unusual ability to manipulate the thoughts of others, influencing Sophie’s mind and convincing her they were friends. But Diana’s intentions were darker than they appeared, as she only surfaced during Sophie’s most vulnerable moments. Doctors, concerned by Diana’s effect, attempted an experimental treatment to help her, but it was ultimately unsuccessful, leading to Diana’s untimely death.

What has the director wanted to say?

In Lights Out, Diana symbolizes the pervasive and isolating nature of depression. Much like Diana, depression often draws individuals into darkness, leading them to withdraw and engage in inner struggles. When managed with proper support and medication, the symptoms may ease, but depression can still create distance between individuals and their loved ones, sometimes with devastating consequences.

Through Diana, the film poignantly illustrates the frightening and isolating effects of depression, reminding us of the importance of compassion and support. By standing by those close to us who are facing this struggle, we can help bring light into their lives.