In So Fades the Light, writer/co-director Rob Cousineau and co-director Chris Rosik take us on the surreal journey of a cult survivor. As a child, Sun (Kiley Lotz) was forced into the role of a god in a cult obsessed with guns. Led by a fanatic Reverend (D. Duke Solomon), young Sun was used to manipulate the members. With a crown made of bullets, she was worshipped by followers seeking her blessing to cure their personal hardships.
Although Sun was rescued when authorities raided the compound and the Reverend was arrested, nothing could save her from the ensuing trauma. The story picks up fifteen years later as Sun decides to return to the site of the compound she once called home. She is tragically unaware that the Reverend, recently released from prison, is being drawn back to the very same place.
“As a child, Sun was forced into the role of a god in a cult obsessed with guns…”
So Fades the Light focuses on a perspective rarely told: what it’s like to survive not only being in a cult, but being its focal point of worship. And while the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) estimates there are 5,000 to 10,000 cults in the U.S. alone, this story feels tragically unique. The filmmakers guide us on Sun’s personal journey as she attempts to heal from the trauma of a shattered childhood by retracing her steps. “Home” is a place she admits she hasn’t been to in a while, and powerful flashbacks make it brutally clear why.
The story unfolds like a road-trip docudrama, set against the beautiful backdrop of the American backcountry. Along the way, Sun finds unexpected companionship, a stark contrast to the isolation of her past. As Sun pushes toward her former home, a self-reflective and haunting soundtrack guides the journey, even providing moments of comedic relief most notably via Algae Bloom’s Thorns. Kiley Lotz is captivating as Sun, giving a performance that truly touches the heart. She brings the audience along with her, infusing the character with a mix of curious laughter and heart-wrenching tears as she effortlessly breaks down. Her performance powerfully conveys the challenges survivors face when trying to pick up the pieces of a broken past. D. Duke Solomon’s portrayal of the Reverend possesses the perfect, snakelike charm required for a character so hungry for power he would exploit a child to control those around him.
Cousineau and Rosik have created a powerful film that dares to explore heavy topics like survivor’s guilt, child abuse, and religious trauma. So Fades the Light is a well-crafted, slow-burning character study that is worth watching. The fact that I was left thirsty to learn more about the fifteen years missing from Sun’s life is a testament to the great character Cousineau has written. This is an important and highly recommended film that will undoubtedly leave you unsettled.
"…a powerful film..."
