Cillian Murphy and Robert De Niro's Supernatural Thriller Was a Box Office and Critical Flop

"Red Lights," the 2012 supernatural thriller that brought together Cillian Murphy and Robert De Niro, proved to be a significant misstep in both actors' careers. While searches for "Robert De Niro" remain popular on Google, this mystery film, which also featured Sigourney Weaver and a young Elizabeth Olsen, failed to gain traction with either audiences or critics. Directed by Rodrigo Cortés, the movie barely grossed $14 million at the box office, according to SlashFilm.

An Intriguing Premise That Never Took Off

The story of "Red Lights" centered on Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy), a physicist, and psychology Professor Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver). They worked in a university department dedicated to debunking supernatural phenomena. Their main target was Simon Silver (Robert De Niro), a famous blind psychic who had retired from the public eye after the mysterious death of one of his critics. When Silver announced his return, Tom became determined to prove his fraud once and for all.

The film attempted to raise the stakes of its concept, portraying fake psychics and bogus faith healers as major villains. However, despite this setup, the plot was complicated by Margaret's reluctance to confront Silver due to a past encounter that made her doubt her own convictions. Elizabeth Olsen played Sally Owen, a student assisting Tom in his investigation.

Star-Studded Cast, Disappointing Outcome

Rodrigo Cortés was fresh off his Sundance success with "Buried," starring Ryan Reynolds, which generated expectations for "Red Lights." However, neither the talent of Cillian Murphy, already an established actor, nor the presence of Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver, and Elizabeth Olsen could save the project. The combination of these names promised a quality thriller, but the final result was quite different.

The low box office performance of $14 million, as detailed by SlashFilm, sharply contrasted with the careers of its protagonists. De Niro, in particular, is known for an extensive and acclaimed filmography, though, like any actor with a long career, he has had his ups and downs. You can find more about other film figures in our coverage, such as the curiosities about Ángel de Andrés López in this article.

Critics Were Unforgiving

The critical reception for "Red Lights" was largely negative. Roger Ebert, one of the most influential critics, gave it two and a half stars out of four, a rating he considered the highest for a "thumbs down" picture. Ebert praised the initial premise but was disappointed by the payoff. "I'd love to see a thriller that was about what 'Red Lights' starts to be about, the debunking of psychics by expert paranormal investigators," he wrote, adding that the movie "comes apart" in its later acts, according to SlashFilm.

Alonso Duralde of The Wrap was even harsher, calling "Red Lights" one of the "silliest movies of the year." He described it as a "colossal fiasco," noting that its overwrought drama and over-earnestness pushed it into the realm of high camp. Xavi Giménez's cinematography also drew criticism from Duralde. These opinions reflected a widespread consensus on the film's inability to meet the expectations generated by its concept and cast.

Why it matters

The case of "Red Lights" reminds us that in cinema, a good idea and a stellar cast do not always guarantee success. Execution, plot development, and a satisfying ending are equally crucial for a film to resonate with audiences and critics. Even great talents can participate in projects that fail to achieve their goals, offering a lesson on the complexity of film production.