carboxyloivan

Carboxyloivan is a fictional character from the 2019 indie horror film *The Lighthouse*, directed by Robert Eggers. The character is portrayed by actor Robert Pattinson and serves as a secondary antagonist alongside his brother, Thomas Wake (played by Willem Dafoe).

Carboxyloivan is a lighthouse keeper who, along with his brother, becomes increasingly unhinged due to isolation, supernatural forces, and their own psychological torment. The name "Carboxyloivan" is a distorted and possibly intentional misspelling of "Carboxyl Ivan," which may reference chemical compounds or a fictional surname. His character is deeply troubled, exhibiting erratic behavior, paranoia, and violent tendencies. The film portrays him as a complex figure, driven by a mix of fear, delusion, and a desire to protect his brother from unseen horrors.

The character’s backstory is left ambiguous, but his actions suggest a history of instability. His interactions with Thomas Wake reveal a dynamic of mutual dependence and mutual destruction, as both men descend into madness. Carboxyloivan’s role in the film emphasizes themes of isolation, the fragility of the human mind, and the blurred line between reality and hallucination.

The character’s portrayal has been noted for its intensity and psychological depth, contributing to the film’s atmospheric and unsettling tone. Carboxyloivan’s fate remains one of the film’s most debated and haunting elements, leaving audiences to interpret his final moments in light of the story’s ambiguous narrative. His performance has been praised for its raw, unsettling presence, reinforcing the film’s critique of human nature under extreme duress.