Lou (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Anna Foerster
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Anna Foerster
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Allison Janney as Lou -
Jurnee Smollett as Hannah -
Greyston Holt as Chris -
Logan Marshall-Green as Philip
Also Starring in Lou
· 9 more- Marci T. House Agent Lee
- Daniel Bernhardt Tony
- Matt Craven Sheriff Rankin
- Toby Levins Agent Hampton
- Jaycie Dotin Bank Teller
- Roman Mitichyan Iranian Abductor
- Andres Collantes Deputy Torres
- RJ Fetherstonhaugh Gerry
- Ridely Asha Bateman
More from Anna Foerster
One more film directed by Anna Foerster: Underworld: Blood Wars.
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 51 Metascore
User score 4.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.7 /5
10 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
Lou Box Office
Lou grossed $43,697 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$43.7K
- International
- $43.7K
Lou Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Lou.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Lou's primary relationship in the movie?
Cars in Lou
16 cars on screen, including the 1973 Ford F-Series and the Chevrolet Blazer.
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1973 Ford F-Series Main role -
Chevrolet Blazer Important role -
1985 GMC Vandura Important role -
Honda unknown Minor role
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 Show fewer
- رحلة لو
- Λου
Seen Lou?
Movies Like Lou
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Missing, Offseason and Love Lies Bleeding.
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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