When I found out that director/co-screenwriter Sachs based this shattering movie on his own life, I wasn't surprised at all. There is an air of authenticity throughout the entire production that would almost have to come from personal experience. It's one of the most effective movies I can think of in its depictions of both drug addiction and the disintegration of a relationship. It is refreshingly unflinching in both regards, and it doesn't fall into the trap of glamorizing drugs like many movies do. Lindhart's performance is the glue that holds the film together, and he is simply fantastic. It's often a minimal performance - he's often bottling a lot up inside - which makes the scenes in which he loses control that much more effective. It's awards-worthy work. And the film would most likely find a place on my ten-best list of its year.

Unhappy, unhealthy, unrewarding.

🏳️‍🌈 A drama in which a Danish filmmaker, who lives in New York City to work on a documentary film, enters into a loving but complicated long-term relationship with a lawyer who struggles with drug addiction. A brutally honest and realistic depiction of what a couple can endure when substance abuse is a detrimental issue for a relationship. A sad and painful tale in which the main character conveys his emotions to express his frustration about the toxic relationship he just can't let go of. It's really devastating and heartbreaking to witness all he has to do for ten years trying to aid someone who can't be helped.

The movie had good writing and acting, but for me it was a bit depressing. I guess these days, during the pandemic, I'd prefer more optimistic and uplifting movies. I think the critics got this one right, and the reviews on this site, including mine weren't as positive, partially due to the subject matter.

6/3/2019 I've spun the wheel on that list of LGBT movies and my finger landed on this one. And boy, it did not disappoint. It sees the unexpected love affair of a filmmaker and a lawyer, with its peaks and valleys that spanned almost a decade. The characters were me at several points in my life. Idealistic, cynical, optimistic, untrusting, promiscuous. Erik, the main character, remains true to the man he unconditionally loves who unfortunately does not reciprocate the affection the way that it should be. The ultimate decision at the end was heart wrenching but the movie leaves its own breadcrumbs of possibilities.

Very realible. It's not about a gay relationship, it's about love in all its shapes.

For me this story is uneven and not fully developed I never quite sure what is the catalyst for any of the decisions eric and paul make and in the context of the narrative, while we are meant to feel sympathy or empathy for erik I found him to be a vain and ego driven narcissist, not at all someone I eouod "care" about

good honest unfliching look at the complexities of relationships

One of the very few gay films of late that actually has something of meaning to both show and say.

It's a wonderful film though many find it incredibly depressing, which doesn't really bother me at all.

A real perspective to the harshness of every day life and the doom of relationships.

Beautifully told and shot, Keep The Lights On really stands out from the crowded field of Gay Indie Films.

Great realistic emotional movie!

Beautifully filmed and heart breaking.

A word of warning: It took me several days to pick myself up off my own puddle of tears after watching this film. Keep the Lights On goes well beyond the boy-likes-boy storyline. It progresses as an alluring and intimate story of two charming men, Erik and Paul, meeting and tenderly falling for one another. But their soon-to-be romance tale is contorted by Paul's consistent drug abuse, landing him in hospitals and rehab centers. The damaging struggles they deal with tear at their relationship in this deeply moving yet cynically somber film. Ultimately, its striking realism makes it important viewing.

Rather entertaining.

Sleek, modern, and grounded in realism, "Keep the Lights On" is an effortlessly effective romance that I didn't want to end.

An often painful and brutally honest look at love and romance. This film proves that gender makes absolutely no difference... love is love.

I don't really enjoy the whole movie. Maybe this is how real life is where romance doesn't happen always but I do think that the development of the whole story is just too heavy for me to handle and digest.

Average and infuriating even if the lead was great.