User Reviews

Sorry for the cliché. Yes, it's dark, and sure, it can be depressing. And for those approaching it with a video game mentality it's not exactly action-packed. But from a psychological standpoint, for insight into a man and a family cornered by bad luck and scummy people, this is some of the richest, truest material I've yet to see on the little screen.

Start - and really end - with Holt McCallany. As Patrick Leary this man gives one of the most layered, convincing performances I've ever had the pleasure to watch. Every gesture, every fleeting facial snapshot, exposes the hurt of a proud man who has to beg for a break, for things to work out just one more time. Watch him have to deal with his children, with his wife, and see the uncertainty of a hard man who hates what he's doing. Except that it's for them, and for himself, and the conflict eats him away like acid. I've never seen him in anything else, but I'd literally pay to watch McCallany as Lights Leary.

The supporting cast falls short. Catherine McCormack as his wife Theresa is a perpetual nervous breakdown in waiting. Her only emotion is quivering, moist-eyed brittleness. Stacy Keach has either lost his chops or, more likely, been hamstrung by his one-dimensional role as old-school hard ass. Reg Cathey as the Don King stand-in is such a leering caricature of cartoon villainy you can't take him seriously. Leary's brother Johnny - Pablo Schreiber - has the odd handicap of a face that seems stuck in a slightly goofy, what-me-worry expression that flattens most of his scenes. The one exception to this surrounding blandness, for me, is Eamonn Walker as the renegade trainer. As an oddball paranoid who's either been born or beaten out of round, he plays the role with an understated, slightly loony intensity that rings weird and true.

McCallany, not truly a physical heavyweight, has learned to spar and train convincingly. The buildup to his fights is slow, excruciating, and wracked with the fear and tension of real battle. The fight scenes grip, not for their verisimilitude but because of the psychological freight they pack.

But, oh - Holt McCallany. Whether you like family drama, boxing, or just studying the technique of a man immersed in character, he alone is worth the price of a ticket. You cannot afford to miss him in this.

I have to say that of late of all the new TV series to come along this one just out on FX titled "Lights Out" is a clear winner and knockout! It's a tense and compelling drama that shows life is tough and dirty and that sometimes just to get by you have to break the rules. And the series has plenty of realism as it stays true to form to the boxing life of shady promoters, political payoffs and cranial damage and the most rewarding a journey towards a comeback. The stories and acting is top notch for a cable series.

Set in the Garden state of New Jersey it follows the tale of an ex heavyweight champion named Patrick "Lights" Leary(Holt McCallany I remember him from 1987's "Creepshow 2") and after his boxing life is now over Lights tries to stay afloat and travel thru life as if he were in the boxing ring. It's tough in the suburbs living like a middle class guy, yet he has the support of his tough and caring loving wife(played just fine by Catherine McCormack)and his three daughters are the love of his life too.

On the downside his now primary source of income is his personal appearances based on his former fame plus Lights runs a training gym for up and coming boxers and he co owns this with his arrogant and shady brother(Pablo Schreiber)still Lights is a beast and his mind keeps pulling him back into the fighting ring.

As you watch each episode you see that Lights is a good family man, yet to get by just like many in today's pressure economy and work life this man succumbs to temptation. It doesn't matter if it's taking political bribes or doing dirty work involving promoters and agents Lights and his brother will do it to survive. As his ultimate goal is a rematch with the fighter who beat him. A good supporting and wild card role is when you see Light's father and gym trainer(played by the wonderful Stacy Keach)as dad is tough and by the book as he tries to keep both of his sons on the straight and narrow road even though he most of the time fails with that it's still compelling to watch.

Really this series has it all especially the realism of boxing such as challenges, comebacks, brain damage, crooked politicians and greedy promoters all tied into organized crime. Those themes tie in well with the life and family drama for a show of slow boiling tension. I think "Lights Out" is one of the best new series around the drama and tension mixed with life and bending the rules to get by is compelling and uplifting. Plus it's nice to see someone like Holt McCallany get a break and have a fighting chance at acting stardom. "Lights Out" will knock you out both inside and outside of the ring!

I'd given up on TV series except for the very popular 3 shows that always win awards (Breaking Bad, In Treatment, Dexter). But I'd heard about this show and noticed the first episode was free, so I watched. I was entranced immediately. The first episode opens on the fighter looking like Frankenstein, almost unrecognizably human. And his character builds from there, a sweet soul who finds himself having to do some questionable things to stay afloat.

I like the way this story is told, in a non-linear but very understandable fashion, giving us chunks of unseen information after its happened, as a flashback. And the writers are slowly building the stakes here, painting our champ into a corner so that you know what he's going to have to do to provide for his family.

Great soundtrack, too.

I was so excited to watch after seeing the previews on TV...and I am glad I did. I thought the show was/is great and the characters are as well. This has to be the best that Holt has ever done. It gives him so much range and emotion. I love this character because of him. They have finally written a part for him that allows him to shine....and he absolutely does in this. I am watching every episode and can't wait until the next one comes. I think FX has done an amazing job with this one. I hope they listen to me and I am not alone out there. For once a show feels real. The characters make you want to watch. I want to see this run for years!!!

I started watching this show in a hotel room on a business trip to Dallas. I was instantly hooked. This show is about a man, a good man, and a great boxer, trying to keep his family together at all costs. The acting is first rate and the casting was spot on.

This show is also about boxing, as art. Boxing itself is a character in this show and the folks at FX do a great job of really making boxing quite compelling.

I must say that at the ripe old age of 28, Lights Out has me interested in boxing, really interested for the first time. Yes, it's brutal, but the show owns up to that and is unflinching in its portrait of this savage and beautiful sport.

I'm interested to see where the plot goes and how long FX can milk the whole 'comeback' aspect of the storyline. It has the potential to evolve into more than that. FX is making great shows and Lights Out is a testament to their creativity. You won't be disappointed with this one. It's a hit.

I love this new show and I love Holt McCallany as an actor. He should have been cast in a lead way before this. I hope FX does not cancel this show. I will be watching this show every week. I can't wait to see more episodes. I like his wife Theresa too. I don't understand why major TV channels don't pick this show up. This is one of the best new shows on TV. I can't wait to see some fight scenes. This show is great. It's about time TV gets some exciting TV shows. I remember seeing Holt McCallany in a couple of Law and Order episodes and I thought he was a great actor then. I really hope FX renews this show next year because it stands out over the other new TV shows this year. I hope voting for it on this website helps keep it on TV. I am going to email FX too and tell them I really like this show.

The devil lies in the details, and the little things matter, making this show incredibly realistic.(Psychological realism)

Eamonn Walker is a revelation, making one wonder, where has he been all along.Not to mention the intriguing writing.

Along with being captivating and entertaining the dialogues serve as a life coaching mantra.

This show is an inspiration to take hold of life by changing the little things, habits and routines and make the big difference.

This is more than boxing, its human drama at its best!

Give it a try you won't regret, seriously fun.

I was told about this show by my cousin. It sounded good but my oh my I didn't expect it to be this good. You most likely already know the premise of the show so I won't spend time on that for now. But the writing is superb. Holt McCallany as the main character Patrick "Lights" Leary is a fine performance.

The beauty of this show is that it doesn't just focus on the boxing but on the boxer's personal life and the ins and outs of the murky world of professional boxing.

The makers of this show must have researched well since it feels like the real deal.

The scripting is excellent and unpredictable yet always believable.

My only one gripe with the show is that the boxers don't really look big enough to be heavyweights, they look more like middleweights.

I only sat down to watch one or two episodes but finished the entire season off in two nights after work, compelling stuff.

Looking forward to season two.

Finally available to stream after all these years!! I have to admit that I'm not big into sports... but I love true tellings of the backstories of professional athletes as well as fictional sports movies which showcase such tales. "Lights Out" is fiction, of course, but it's like a true family drama first and foremost with boxing in the background and it's fantastic so it's no wonder I love it! Even the music is insanely inspired! Holt McCallany and the rest of the cast turn in incredible performances...however, I don't mean to be mean, but...the exception is Catherine McCormack who is sorely cast. She's physically right for the part, but she over- or under-acts in every single scene.

The acting and the writing are fantastic and I can't understand how this show didn't get more seasons or more love. The entire season is fantastic and the fact that I haven't heard of it till earlier this year is a shame. Holt McCallany is a great lead man, Stacy Keach is FANTASTIC, same with Catherine McCormack. Master Chief himself Pablo Schreiber is great as the brother. Ryann Shane is great. The mando too, Pedro Pascal, is always great. Really wish I knew about this show when it premiered because I would have blasted this from the rooftops. Time to look up everything all these great actors did and watch to my heart's content. GREAT SHOW YOU NEED TO WATCH IF YOU ARE GIVING IT ANY THOUGHT!

I watched this show hoping witness the next great FX show and was sadly disappointed. FX normally does well when they make great "guy dramas" (The Shield, Rescue Me, and Justified being among the best) but "Lights Out" is one of the worst shows ever made by FX. Okay, it's not that terrible but the characters are generic and the plot is played out. Holt McCallany is capable, as are Stacy Keach and Pablo Schreiber but I hope they haven't ruined their careers with this show. The fault lies entirely with the writing team who obviously Netflixed "On the Waterfront", "Raging Bull", "Rocky", "The Wrestler", and "Million Dollar Baby" before trying their hands at writing a t.v. show. The daughters are the worst as they simply are blonde versions of the daughters on "Modern Family". The only entertainment I got out from the show was playing a drinking game the second half hour in which I had to take a shot every time the show introduced another stereotype. By the time they showed the previews for the next episode, I was "on the canvas". If I ever watch the show again, which I won't, I will take a shot every time poor Catherine McCormack's accent trembles like a punch drunk pugilist. I have been a member of IMDb since 2005 and this is the first review I have ever written because I am so disappointed by FX programming decision, hype, and ultimate letdown.

I like fx. I like the premise of 'Lights Out'. I like the cast. So why has fx failed to make an entertaining show? With such a long history of acclaimed TV entertainment, I guess not all offerings can be a hit, but one about boxing should be. I cannot explain it as anything but boring so far( 4 episodes into the season). Does anyone agree? It is a rich and nuanced story, but the pace is slow and dull. I suppose underlying all my ennui and angst about 'Lights Out' is that fx's most entertaining new show in my opinion, 'Terriers', was not picked up for a second season due to low viewership. That show was far more exciting and wrought with potential. I digress, but feel 'Lights Out' should look for a knockout soon or throw in the towel.

All of those that "loved this show" please list your top 10 other favorite shows so I will know what to avoid in the future. In my opinion you would have to deprived of all other options when it comes to TV shows in order to possibly think that this was in any way a good one. You guys probably also love all of the Law and Orders, CSIs, Bones, and NCIS. Well I personally would gladly lock myself in a room and watch every episode of According To Jim before I would waste my time on Lights Out again.

Lights Out was one of the most predictable and cliché pieces of crap I have ever watched. I committed to watching the entire season because I was convinced that something would happen to make it all worth it but when it culminated into one of the most ridiculously hollow season finales I have ever seen it only confirmed my first impression of this show. It was awful! Good riddance Lights Out.

I am a loyal fan of FX programming since tuning into Rescue Me and NIP/TUCK several years ago. I found this channel to be one of the best for the kind of shows I liked. You might say guy shows, but I think I liked their originality and edge. I have also loved SOA and Justified. But "Lights Out" was so boring and slow it put me to sleep. From the pilot the show was cliché and full of predictable story lines. The most important story would be the lead actor's, "Lights" himself but his is the most boring and predictable. A has been athlete goes back to the ring one last time. A comeback story. The trouble is this story has been done to death. It has even been done this season with "The Fighter". I could not get into this show at all. I thought Warren Leight's writing was terrible and unnatural. He has lost his touch from "In Treatment".

The actress who portrays the wife, Catherine Mccormick, has impressed me in her film work but does a terrible job on the show. Her accent is all over the map with some kind of bastardized American accent that changes every line.

The kids are cute but also very predictable. They are stereotypes and remind me of the daughters you'd see in a sitcom. The eldest:boy crazy teenager. The middle daughter: nerdy and quick witted. The youngest: annoying and cutesy.

All in all I did not like this show at all. It is nothing like other programs FX put out. It's watered down and depressing. The show is dark. Dementia? I don't want to watch it every week when I've worked all day and put my kids to sleep.

I'm not watching this show. FX needs to do better to hold my interest. It's not a great show.