Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sci-fi drama

Light of My Life (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Light of My Life (2019) movie poster

Light of My Life is a 2019 sci-fi drama starring Anna Pniowsky as Rag, Casey Affleck and Elisabeth Moss. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$1.4M
Echo Score
64
Loading streaming availability…
Light of My Life (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Light of My Life About?

The premise of Light of My Life without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a world decimated by a mysterious plague that has wiped out all women, a man named Casey and his young daughter, Rag Anna, journey through a desolate and dangerous landscape. Facing constant threats from desperate survivors, they must rely on their resourcefulness and their unwavering bond to overcome the perils of their new reality. Their quest tests the limits of their courage and challenges their understanding of hope in a world forever changed.

Light of My Life Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • short haired girl
  • rifle
  • four word title
  • post apocalypse
  • flashback
  • directed by star
  • reference to noah's ark
  • father daughter relationship
  • child in jeopardy
  • girl dresses as a boy
  • written by star
  • shotgun
+38 more
  • violence
  • widower
  • death of wife
  • long take
  • male and female protagonists
  • daughter saves father's life
  • telling a story
  • tent
  • forest
  • hiding
  • vomiting
  • abandoned house
  • newspaper
  • virus
  • flashlight
  • dead body
  • discovering a dead body
  • guitar
  • library
  • escape
  • church
  • snow
  • car theft
  • sheep
  • attic
  • fight
  • blood
  • spiderweb
  • child with a gun
  • girl pretends to be a boy
  • wound
  • short haired female
  • pump action shotgun
  • pandemic
  • gunshot wound
  • sleeping in a tent
  • fistfight
  • 11 year old
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Light of My Life Cast & Characters

Anna Pniowsky leads the cast as Rag, with Casey Affleck as Dad and Elisabeth Moss as Mom.

Also Starring in Light of My Life

· 8 more
Ratings

Light of My Life Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Light of My Life 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

64 /100

Light of My Life Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Light of My Life presents a thoughtfully constructed visual narrative supported by careful direction and strong tonal consistency. The father–daughter dynamic anchors the film, yet the deliberate pacing and extensive monologues test viewer engagement. Critics praised its artful touches and moments of suspense in the final act, while many viewers found it derivative and overly slow. The film’s earnest intentions and occasional emotional resonance yield a mixed impression that will appeal selectively to patient audiences.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Light of My Life exhibits precise framing and understated camera work that underscore its intimate scale. Reviewers noted artful visual touches, a minimalist approach behind the camera, and polished compositions. At the same time, some found the film’s self-indulgent scenes and familiar stylistic cues diluted its visual impact. Overall, the direction feels assured but occasionally overextended.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are consistently understated with Anna Pniowsky’s portrayal earning particular acclaim and Casey Affleck’s reserved style lending authenticity. However, others criticized his monotone delivery and found the central duo occasionally bland and unconvincing. Dialogue-driven monologues divided viewers, with some sensing emotional depth while others perceived tedium. Net result: a mixed sense of character resonance.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film unfolds at a deliberately measured pace, establishing tension slowly before a suspenseful third act. Critics pointed out derivative elements reminiscent of similar post-apocalyptic dramas and noted meandering sequences that test patience. The narrative’s emphasis on extended monologues further impeded momentum. As a result, the plot yields intermittent engagement rather than sustained forward drive.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, Light of My Life delivers a coherent visual style with muted color palettes and a restrained soundscape that reinforces its intimate tone. Critics praised clean editing and the steady camera work, though some viewers found certain visual motifs repetitive and noted the soundtrack remains largely unobtrusive. Overall, the film’s sensory elements are polished but sparingly dramatic.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s slow pacing and introspective focus limit its replay appeal. While its artful visuals and occasional emotional moments offer modest rewards on return viewings, derivative themes and extended monologues reduce novelty. For most viewers, the subdued narrative and familiar motifs mean that subsequent watches are unlikely to reveal hidden depth.

Plot

Light of My Life Plot Summary

What happens in Light of My Life from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Almost a decade has passed since a devastating pandemic decimated the majority of the female population. Amidst this backdrop, Dad (Casey Affleck) embarks on a perilous journey across British Columbia with his daughter Rag (Anna Pniowsky), who is among the very few remaining females in existence. To shield her from predatory male bandits on the hunt for women, Dad disguises Rag as his son. Haunted by the promise he made to his late wife, Mom (Elisabeth Moss), Dad vows to share with Rag all there is to know about her mother.

Full summary

The whole story of Light of My Life, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Light of My Life Box Office

Light of My Life grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $20,056 came from the US and Canada and $1.4 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.4M

US & Canada
$20.1K
International
$1.4M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

Light of My Life Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Light of My Life.

Light of My Life Official Trailer (2019) - Casey Affleck
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Light of My Life?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What significant global event shaped the dystopian world of 'Light of My Life'?

Cars

Cars in Light of My Life

3 cars on screen, including the 1992 Plymouth Voyager and the 1994 Dodge Ram.

  • 1992 Plymouth Voyager in Light of My Life 1992 Plymouth Voyager Important role
  • 1994 Dodge Ram in Light of My Life 1994 Dodge Ram Background role
  • 1989 Ford F-Series in Light of My Life 1989 Ford F-Series Background role
Details

Light of My Life Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “La luz de mi vida” and “라이트 오브 마이 라이프”.

Also known as
  • La luz de mi vida
  • 라이트 오브 마이 라이프
  • A Luz no Fim do Mundo
  • Светлината на моя живот
  • Свет моей жизни
  • 라이트 오브 라이프
  • Světlo mého života
  • 我的生命之光
  • האור של חיי
  • Светло мог живота
  • Luz da Minha Vida
  • Φως στο Σκοτάδι
+5 more
  • Світло мого життя
  • Mano akių šviesa
  • Életem fénye
  • Lumina vieții mele
  • Manas dzīves gaisma

Seen Light of My Life?

FAQ

Light of My Life FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Light of My Life, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Light of My Life?

Light of My Life runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Light of My Life released?

Light of My Life was released on August 9, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Light of My Life?

Light of My Life stars Anna Pniowsky as Rag, Casey Affleck as Dad and Elisabeth Moss as Mom, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Light of My Life make at the box office?

Light of My Life grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($20,056 domestic, $1.4 million international).

How is Light of My Life rated?

Light of My Life has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Light of My Life have a post-credit scene?

No. Light of My Life has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app