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Action thriller

Lou (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Lou (2022) movie poster

Lou is a 2022 action thriller directed by Anna Foerster, starring Allison Janney as Lou, Jurnee Smollett and Greyston Holt. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $43,697 worldwide. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$43.7K
Echo Score
63
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Lou (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Anna Foerster
Genres
Action , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lou About?

The premise of Lou without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a severe storm, a woman’s quiet existence is disrupted when a desperate mother seeks her assistance in saving her daughter who has been abducted. The two women set out on a dangerous mission, uncovering painful secrets from their pasts along the way. They must face confronting challenges and push themselves to their physical and emotional limits as they fight to bring the girl home.

Lou Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • island
  • secret
  • kidnapping
  • character name as title
  • female protagonist
  • female loner
  • forest
  • gun
  • evil man
  • final showdown
  • one word title
  • suspense
+38 more
  • electronic music score
  • 1980s
  • no opening credits
  • nonlinear timeline
  • iran contra affair
  • heavy rain
  • rainstorm
  • lightning
  • pacific northwest
  • fireplace
  • money
  • scotch whiskey
  • deer
  • dead deer
  • dog
  • butterfly
  • animal killing
  • loner
  • letter
  • suicide note
  • suicide attempt
  • ex cia agent
  • ex special forces
  • revelation
  • neo noir
  • modern western
  • power outage
  • hide and seek
  • bracelet
  • single mother
  • single parent
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • sociopath
  • anger
  • hatred
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Cast & crew

Lou Cast & Characters

Allison Janney leads the cast as Lou, with Jurnee Smollett as Hannah and Greyston Holt as Chris. Directed by Anna Foerster; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Lou

· 9 more
From the director

More from Anna Foerster

One more film directed by Anna Foerster: Underworld: Blood Wars.

Full filmography
Ratings

Lou Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lou 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).

63 /100

Lou Echo Score Breakdown

Lou presents a mixed critical landscape, where its most notable strength lies in the lead performances while its narrative and thematic ambition fall short. Reviewers acknowledge competent direction and visually appealing settings, yet they note a formulaic structure that limits originality. The soundtrack and action sequences contribute positively, but the film’s overall impact is tempered by uneven pacing and a derivative plot. Consequently, the movie offers moderate entertainment value without lasting resonance.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, Lou demonstrates competent direction and polished production design. Critics point to rich scenery and a polished action drama, while users describe the film as well‑filmed and efficient. However, some reviewers label the visual approach as conventional and by‑the‑numbers, suggesting limited innovation. Overall, the technical execution is solid but not groundbreaking.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances receive strong commendation. Both critics and users repeatedly highlight Allison Janney's commanding presence as the film’s central asset, with Jurnee Smollett also noted for depth. Although the supporting cast draws less attention, the lead actors provide nuanced, emotionally resonant portrayals that elevate the material. The consensus underscores a high caliber of acting despite narrative flaws.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The story and flow of Lou are viewed as its weakest element. Critics describe the plot as derivative, schematically plotted, and at times contrived, while users echo concerns about a housewivey or predictable narrative. Some praise the pacing of action set‑pieces, yet the overall coherence suffers from premature revelations and limited originality. Consequently, the film’s storytelling fails to sustain engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience in Lou benefits from a distinctive score and effective action choreography. Reviewers note the unique music by Nima Fakhrara and commend the rich visual palette of outdoor confrontations. Users appreciate the well‑executed action and efficient filming. While the sound design and visual style are generally praised, there is little indication of groundbreaking sensory innovation, resulting in a solid but conventional experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor for Lou is moderate. Critics suggest it serves as competent evening entertainment but lacks lasting memorability, hinting at limited repeat value. Some users find the film enjoyable and recommend it for its performances, whereas others describe it as unwatchable and a rushed effort. The mixed feedback points to a film that may entertain once but offers little incentive for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Lou Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Lou from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lou lives a solitary life with her dog, Jax, amidst preparations that hint at a troubling past. She’s seen burning official-looking papers, sharpening her knife, and cleaning her guns, alluding to a tense anticipation of something grim. The film opens with Lou making an unsuccessful deer shot, displaying her inner turmoil and physical struggles from arthritis.

As a fierce storm approaches, the townspeople are busy fortifying their homes. Meanwhile, a mother named Hannah (Jurnee Smollett) is enjoying a game of hide-and-seek with her young daughter Vee (Ridley Asha Bateman). Lou, the hard-nosed landlady, drops by to collect rent, refusing Hannah’s plea for an extension — a move that sparks tension as Hannah feels frustrated by Lou’s curt demeanor.

Full summary

The whole story of Lou, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Lou Box Office

Lou grossed $43,697 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$43.7K

International
$43.7K
Videos

Lou Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Lou.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lou?

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 Lou's primary relationship in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Lou

16 cars on screen, including the 1973 Ford F-Series and the Chevrolet Blazer.

All 16 cars
  • 1973 Ford F-Series in Lou 1973 Ford F-Series Main role
  • Chevrolet Blazer in Lou Chevrolet Blazer Important role
  • 1985 GMC Vandura in Lou 1985 GMC Vandura Important role
  • Honda unknown in Lou Honda unknown Minor role
Details

Lou Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “แกะรอยในความมืด” and “孤島尋蹤”.

Also known as
  • แกะรอยในความมืด
  • 孤島尋蹤
  • LOU ルー
  • Lou / ルー
  • LOU/ルー
  • 孤岛寻踪
  • 루
  • Лу
  • לו
  • 卢
  • LOU/ルー
  • لو
+2 more
  • رحلة لو
  • Λου

Seen Lou?

FAQ

Lou FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Lou?

Lou runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Lou released?

Lou was released on September 23, 2022.

Who directed Lou?

Lou was directed by Anna Foerster.

More films by Anna Foerster

Who is in the cast of Lou?

Lou stars Allison Janney as Lou, Jurnee Smollett as Hannah and Greyston Holt as Chris, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Lou make at the box office?

Lou grossed $43,697 worldwide.

How is Lou rated?

Lou has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Lou have a post-credit scene?

No. Lou has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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