PHOENIX – In Lights Off, director Joseph Neibich flips the switch on traditional horror and plunges viewers into a world where fear meets farce, and the darkness hides more punchlines than terror. With a seductive demon, sharp satire, and a knowing wink to horror tropes of the past, this short film dances on the edge of absurdity while staying rooted in emotional stakes. Drawing from internet-era humor, ’80s horror nostalgia, and a rich tradition of spoofing genre clichés, Neibich delivers a bold and cheeky take on the age-old fear of the dark. In this interview, he shares the inspirations, behind-the-scenes chaos, and champagne-fueled creativity that brought Lights Off to life.
Patrick Roy, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): The film opens with a deceptively simple premise—turning off the lights. What was the inspiration behind using such a mundane act as the entry point for chaos?
Joseph Neibich (JN): At one point in all of our lives, we were all afraid of the dark or of the monsters under the bed. I think this short proves there was never anything to be afraid of in the first place. Plus I’ve seen dozens of horror shorts about creatures appearing when the lights go off that simply aren’t there when the lights are on -so I just had to spoof it.
(UM): This film features a “sexy demon” and a battle of wits. How do you balance absurdity and satire without losing the audience’s emotional engagement—or is the absurdity the point?
(JN): The absurdity is definitely part of the point, hilarity is bound to ensue, whenever an average ordinary man has a battle of wits with a sexy woman, she-devil or not. You just have to keep it grounded in the emotional stakes. By playing with satire and surreal elements—like a “sexy demon”—I aim to reflect real human desires and power dynamics. The key is treating the characters’ emotions as sincere, even when the world around them is heightened or ridiculous. That tension keeps the audience engaged while still letting the film be playful and provocative.
