As the Lights Go Down Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: As the Lights Go Down
| Movie | As the Lights Go Down |
| Release Year | 1985 |
| Director | Russell Mulcahy |
| Genre | Music / Documentary |
| Runtime | 58 minutes (58m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is As the Lights Go Down (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 10.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Music.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in As the Lights Go Down are led by Simon Le Bon . The supporting cast, including John Taylor and Nick Rhodes , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
As the Lights Go Down stands out as a strong entry in the Music genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Music narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, As the Lights Go Down has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Music fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: As the Lights Go Down
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1985, As the Lights Go Down is a Music, Documentary film directed by Russell Mulcahy. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Simon Le Bon as Self.
Ending Explained: As the Lights Go Down
As the Lights Go Down Ending Explained: Duran Duran's Oakland, California concerts that were filmed for the Arena (An Absurd Notion) movie were also edited to form the one-hour As The Lights Go Down concert video. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, this 1985 music film stars Simon Le Bon (Self), alongside John Taylor as Self, Nick Rhodes as Self, Andy Taylor as Self. With a 10/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of As the Lights Go Down?
Duran Duran's Oakland, California concerts that were filmed for the Arena (An Absurd Notion) movie were also edited to form the one-hour As The Lights Go Down concert video. As The Lights Go Down is essentially the Arena video without the theatrical sequences, although the live footage for many songs was edited differently. This version was first aired on the Cinemax cable television channel, and later on MTV and other music channels.
Russell Mulcahy's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Simon Le Bon (Self)'s journey. As The Lights Go Down is essentially the Arena video without the theatrical sequences, although the live footage for many songs was edited differently.
How Does Simon Le Bon (Self)'s Story End?
- Simon Le Bon: Simon Le Bon's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Russell Mulcahy delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 0h 58m runtime.
- John Taylor (Self): John Taylor's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Nick Rhodes (Self): Nick Rhodes's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of As the Lights Go Down Mean?
As the Lights Go Down concludes with Russell Mulcahy reinforcing the music themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Simon Le Bon leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.
As the Lights Go Down Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is As the Lights Go Down Based on a True Story?
No, As the Lights Go Down is a work of fiction. While the music, documentary film directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Simon Le Bon may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch As the Lights Go Down?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Music cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
At just 58 minutes, it's a quick watch.
As the Lights Go Down Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about As the Lights Go Down age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of As the Lights Go Down (1985) is 58 minutes (58m). Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the film runs for 58 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 10.0/10, and global performance metrics, As the Lights Go Down is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is As the Lights Go Down worth watching?
As the Lights Go Down is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Music movies. It has a verified rating of 10/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find As the Lights Go Down parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for As the Lights Go Down identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of As the Lights Go Down (1985)?
The runtime of As the Lights Go Down (1985) is 58 minutes (approximately 0h 58m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Simon Le Bon
