Lightning Bug is a 2004 drama thriller film directed by Robert Hall and written by Hall and Craig Clyde. The film stars Bret Harrison, Laura Prepon, Kevin Gage, Ashley Laurence, and Hal Sparks.
The film is inspired by Hall’s own experiences growing up in a small Southern town, where he aspired to be a special-effects makeup artist. It was shot on location in Alabama, where Hall grew up.
Green Graves (Bret Harrison) is a teenage boy living in a small Alabama town in the 1980s. He lives with his drunk and abusive stepfather, Earl (Kevin Gage), and works at a local grocery store. Green is passionate about creating special effects makeup and dreams of working in Hollywood.
Green’s talent brings him to the attention of a horror film director, who offers to take him to Hollywood to work on a film. Meanwhile, Green begins a relationship with Angevin Duvet (Laura Prepon), a girl who lives in the town and shares his love of horror movies. However, Angevin is not entirely supportive of Green's dream of leaving the town behind.
As Green prepares to leave for Hollywood, he faces obstacles that threaten to derail his plans. His stepfather becomes increasingly violent, and a group of religious zealots, led by Green’s former Sunday school teacher, begin to harass him for his interest in horror films and makeup effects.
In the end, Green must decide whether to give up on his dreams for the sake of keeping peace in his small town, or risk everything by pursuing his passion.
Lightning Bug is a gripping, character-driven drama that explores themes of self-discovery, creativity, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. It has been praised for its vivid cinematography, powerful performances, and realistic portrayal of small-town life in the South.