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Keep the Lights On

2012·Movie
1h 42min·NR
IMDb6.4Metacritic797.5Rotten Tomatoes89%62%

Where to watch

JustWatch TVPhiloKanopyHooplaFandango at Home Free

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Keep the Lights On fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Profoundly sad and moving

  • Melancholy9
  • Pathos8
  • Romance7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Cringe Humor3
  • Dark Humor2

World

Everyday modern life and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Novelty6

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and dialogue

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacingYou're watching with family

Find more like it

Melancholic moviesBittersweet moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

In 1997 New York City, filmmaker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a one-night fling. As their relationship evolves through dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.
Gay Romance DramaRealistic Indie FilmToxic Relationship DynamicsSubstance DependencyEmotional VulnerabilityIntimate Character StudyNew York City SettingBittersweet MelancholyRaw & Unvarnished

Crew

Directed by:
Ira Sachs, Veronica Lupu, Heather Quick
Written by:
Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias
Produced by:
Ira Sachs, Avy Kaufman, Lars Knudsen
Composed by:
Arthur Russell

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Keep the Lights On

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Keep the Lights On legally?

JustWatch TVPhiloKanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreeMUBIOVIDPlex

Keep the Lights On is included with a subscription to Philo, MUBI, OVID, and Metrograph in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV, Kanopy, and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Keep the Lights On worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 89%, and Metacritic 79). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Keep the Lights On rated?

NRNuditySexual contentDrug useStrong language

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: nudity, sexual content, drug use, and strong language.

How long is Keep the Lights On?

1 h 42 min

Keep the Lights On runs 1 h 42 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Keep the Lights On?

Critics84
Audiences67

Not quite. Critics rate Keep the Lights On higher (84) than audiences (67). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Keep the Lights On in?

EnglishDanish

It was made in English, with some Danish. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Keep the Lights On?

10ATCADEDKFRGBGGIEKRUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Keep the Lights On in 10 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.