Tom and Tom (Willem Dafoe, Rob Pattinson) arrive at a New England Lighthouse to put in their shift for the month. The elder Tom is a veteran keeper while Tom the younger, a former woodsman who got tired of looking at trees decides to give this occupation a go. The elder Tom is a secretive vengeful cuss, the younger, overworked and soon losing his mind with hallucinations. The relationship chafes early and when a storm prevents their return matters get really ugly.

From the opening shots of the ship cutting through waves bringing the Toms to their destination it is more than obvious the viewer is in for a misery marathon between two malcontents. Stoic and humorless they soberly reenforce what a downer the picture will be as they pass the previous light keepers without a word. From there it simply becomes a mean-spirited faceoff between the two as they head for an inevitable confrontation, briefly waylaid by a battle with a hurricane.

Pattinson gives a well measured lugubrious performance while Dafoe chews up scenery from end to end as an old salt. Decrepit one day but up to fighting the next it is simply a sloppy inconsistent turn by Dafoe.

The black and white night photography is very impressive along with the hallucinatory meetings with the mermaid and while the storm is thrillingly presented the brooding, moody tenor of the film overall makes it an annoying watch.