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Comedy drama

Looks That Kill (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Looks That Kill (2020) movie poster

Looks That Kill is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Kellen Moore, starring Brandon Flynn as Max, Julia Goldani Telles and Priscilla Lopez. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Its Echo Score is 73/100.

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Looks That Kill (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Kellen Moore
Genres
Comedy , Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Looks That Kill About?

The premise of Looks That Kill without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Born with an unusually striking appearance, a teenage boy finds his life filled with humorous and unfortunate situations as he navigates the challenges of being exceptionally attractive. His experiences take an unexpected turn when he encounters a young woman facing her own unique circumstances.

Looks That Kill Themes & Keywords

· 20 tags
  • boy
  • bandaged face
  • valentine's day
  • first date
  • retirement home
  • christmas tree
  • flatline
  • maid costume
  • homophobic slur
  • high school dance
  • mugshot
  • bandage over eyes
+8 more
  • jelly beans
  • bullying
  • movie theater
  • coming of age drama
  • romantic comedy
  • reference to danielle steel
  • written by director
  • scene during end credits
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Cast & crew

Looks That Kill Cast & Characters

Brandon Flynn leads the cast as Max, with Julia Goldani Telles as Alex and Priscilla Lopez as Esther. Directed by Kellen Moore; 32 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Looks That Kill

· 28 more
Show all 32 cast members
From the director

More from Kellen Moore

One more film directed by Kellen Moore: East of Kensington.

Full filmography
Ratings

Looks That Kill Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (68).

73 /100

Looks That Kill Echo Score Breakdown

The film presents a novel premise that mixes dark comedy with teen romance, delivering moments of emotional resonance and visual charm. Critics note a messy execution in direction, while audience feedback highlights strong performances and an appealing soundtrack. Pacing and plot coherence fluctuate, producing both engaging and uneven sequences. Despite narrative gaps, the movie maintains an enjoyable tone that many viewers find worth revisiting. In sum, the work offers an entertaining if imperfect experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the direction displays originality but suffers from occasional hesitation, leading to uneven tonal shifts. Cinematography and production design receive praise for whimsical sets and purposeful framing that support the film’s dark‑humor aesthetic. Editing contributes to a brisk pace, though moments of rushed sequencing are noted. Overall, the visual and technical elements are solid, providing a distinctive backdrop despite some inconsistency.

  • Character & Emotion 73

    Character and emotion are anchored by the chemistry between the leads, whose performances are described as charismatic and nuanced. Supporting actors add comic relief and depth, though several secondary roles feel underdeveloped. Emotional resonance is achieved in moments of loss and tenderness, eliciting genuine responses from viewers. While acting quality is generally praised, the limited material for some characters reduces overall impact.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Story and flow introduce an unconventional concept that intrigues early on, yet the narrative struggles with coherence as plot holes and implausible mechanics arise. Pacing alternates between rapid, engaging passages and slower, uneven sections toward the climax. Originality is evident in thematic ambition, but execution often muddles the intended messages, resulting in a mixed level of audience investment.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience benefits from a memorable soundtrack that underscores emotional beats, and sound design that accentuates the film’s darker humor. Visual style combines whimsical set décor with deliberate camera framing, contributing to an immersive atmosphere. While the score and ambient cues are generally effective, occasional tonal mismatches detract from consistency. Overall, the auditory and visual elements reinforce the movie’s distinct mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor is strengthened by the film’s blend of humor and heartfelt moments, which many viewers find rewarding on subsequent viewings. The unique premise and strong lead chemistry encourage curiosity about unresolved nuances. Some audience members note pacing issues and plot holes that may lessen repeat appeal, yet the overall charm and emotional payoff maintain a desire to return. Consequently, the movie offers moderate lasting appeal.

Plot

Looks That Kill Plot Summary

What happens in Looks That Kill 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

The film follows the poignant journey of Max, a sixteen-year-old boy afflicted with a unique condition that renders his angelic face dangerously lethal. For much of his life, Max has grappled with crippling loneliness until he encounters Alex, portrayed by Julia Goldani Telles, who harbors her own extraordinary affliction—a rare heart disease that causes her heart to enlarge uncontrollably when she experiences any emotions, be it happiness, anger, sorrow, or jealousy.

Full summary

The whole story of Looks That Kill, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Looks That Kill Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Looks That Kill.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Looks That Kill?

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 is the name of the protagonist in the film?

Cars

Cars in Looks That Kill

6 cars on screen, including the Volvo 760 and the 1987 Ford Bronco II.

All 6 cars
  • Volvo 760 in Looks That Kill Volvo 760 Important role
  • 1987 Ford Bronco II in Looks That Kill 1987 Ford Bronco II Minor role
  • 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in Looks That Kill 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2009 Ford E-350 in Looks That Kill 2009 Ford E-350 Minor role
Details

Looks That Kill Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Looks That Kill - Wenn Blicke töten können” and “凝视猎物”.

Also known as
  • Looks That Kill - Wenn Blicke töten können
  • 凝视猎物
  • Halálosan vonzó
  • Lindo de Morrer
  • Убийственная внешность
  • Miradas que Matan
  • Zabójczy urok
  • Smrtící krása
  • מבט קטלני
  • 너의 얼굴은
  • Smrtiaca krása

Seen Looks That Kill?

FAQ

Looks That Kill FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Looks That Kill, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Looks That Kill?

Looks That Kill runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Looks That Kill released?

Looks That Kill was released on June 19, 2020.

Who directed Looks That Kill?

Looks That Kill was directed by Kellen Moore.

More films by Kellen Moore

Who is in the cast of Looks That Kill?

Looks That Kill stars Brandon Flynn as Max, Julia Goldani Telles as Alex and Priscilla Lopez as Esther, among 32 credited actors.

Does Looks That Kill have a post-credit scene?

No. Looks That Kill has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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