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Luce (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Luce (2019) movie poster

Luce is a 2019 drama directed by Julius Onah, starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Luce Edgar, Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$2.3M
award nominations
3
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Luce (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Julius Onah
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Luce About?

The premise of Luce without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A brilliant high school athlete and debate champion’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel, exposing a complicated past and challenging the perspectives of those around him. His adoptive parents are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about their son and the biases that shaped their understanding of him. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be American as long-held beliefs are questioned and the foundations of their family are tested.

Luce Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • husband wife relationship
  • adoptive father adopted son relationship
  • adoptive mother adopted son relationship
  • high school
  • teenage boy
  • gunshot
  • ethnic stereotype
  • racial stereotype
  • black american
  • african american
  • nudity
  • drug use
+38 more
  • applause
  • high school debater
  • history and government teacher
  • speech
  • character name as title
  • pride
  • public speaking
  • b word
  • political correctness
  • sexism
  • tongue click
  • computer
  • apple computer
  • f word
  • reference to nelson mandela
  • teenage girl
  • class
  • classroom
  • watching a movie in a classroom
  • boy
  • female doctor
  • cell phone
  • telephone call
  • photograph on a computer
  • running
  • cheerleader
  • track and field
  • pounding fists
  • parent teacher conference
  • reference to franklin d. roosevelt
  • reference to fidel castro
  • locker room
  • shower
  • teenage boy in a shower
  • reference to frantz fanon
  • colonization
  • violence
  • politics
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Cast & crew

Luce Cast & Characters

Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads the cast as Luce Edgar, with Tim Roth as Peter Edgar and Naomi Watts as Amy Edgar. Directed by Julius Onah; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Luce

· 6 more
From the director

More from Julius Onah

More films directed by Julius Onah, best-rated first: The Girl Is in Trouble, The Cloverfield Paradox and Captain America: Brave New World.

Full filmography
Ratings

Luce Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Luce 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

67 /100

Luce Echo Score Breakdown

While Luce’s provocative ambiguity engages viewers in a thoughtful dialogue, its uneven pacing and thematic density may frustrate some audiences. Critics frequently commend the film’s willingness to challenge preconceptions and spark debate, noting the film’s intricate narrative puzzles and thematic ambition. However, several reviews point to moments where dramatic tension slackens and key plot elements feel underexplored. Ultimately, Luce leaves a compelling but somewhat fragmented impression that rewards attentive engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Luce demonstrates a deliberate stylistic approach that underscores its thematic ambiguity. Several critics note the director’s measured compositions and subtle shifts in framing that reinforce underlying tensions. Yet pacing criticisms arise from recurrent editing choices that dilute momentum in the final act. Overall, the film’s artful ambition is evident, though its structural rhythm occasionally undercuts its cinematic poise.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Regarding acting and character depth, Luce features commendable performances that accentuate its emotional complexity. Reviewers highlight the cast’s nuanced portrayals, particularly the lead’s ability to project layered motivations and interpersonal tension. A few observers note that certain character arcs remain enigmatically unresolved, which can limit emotional resonance. On balance, the film’s character work is a strong asset, delivering palpable nuance amid its ethical uncertainties.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, Luce embraces complexity but occasionally falters under its thematic weight. Several critics describe a compelling puzzle-like structure that provokes reflection, while others argue that key dramatic elements feel underdeveloped and that the narrative can slacken in its final segments. Despite its ambition, the plot’s opacity may reduce engagement for viewers seeking clearer resolutions.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering the sensory experience, Luce employs a restrained auditory and visual palette that underscores its psychological tension. Observers praise the film’s minimalist sound design and measured use of score to heighten suspense. Visually, the composition favors subdued color schemes and precise lighting to reflect underlying unease. Together, these elements create a cohesive sensory atmosphere that supports the film’s introspective tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch value, Luce offers intellectual depth that can reward repeat viewings for audiences drawn to complex themes. Many critiques emphasize the film’s layered ambiguities and moral questions, suggesting that a second viewing may uncover subtle narrative clues. However, the film’s uneven pacing and unresolved threads could deter casual viewers from revisiting. In sum, the rewatch appeal is strong for engaged viewers, though less so for those seeking clarity.

Plot

Luce Plot Summary

What happens in Luce from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Adopted from the war-torn country of Eritrea, Luce Edgar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is not just any typical high school student; he is an esteemed athlete and a remarkable debater who has won the admiration of his peers as well as his parents, Peter (Tim Roth) and Amy Edgar (Naomi Watts). However, beneath this picture-perfect facade lies a deep-seated animosity toward his history teacher, Harriet Wilson (Octavia Spencer). This resentment is fueled by an incident where Harriet reported his friend, DeShaun (Astro), leading to his removal from the running team after discovering marijuana in his locker.

Full summary

The whole story of Luce, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Luce Box Office

Luce grossed $2.3 million worldwide. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $257,591 (11%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.3M

US & Canada
$2M
International
$257.6K
US & Canada 89% Rest of the world 11%
Awards

Luce Awards & Nominations

Luce earned 3 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2020.

3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Luce Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer, 5 teasers, 3 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser The Teacher
  • Teaser LUCE | The Mother – Now Playing In NY/LA
  • Teaser LUCE | The Son – Now Playing In NY/LA
  • Teaser LUCE | The Father – Now Playing In NY/LA
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Luce?

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 Luce Edgar's background?

Cars

Cars in Luce

17 cars on screen, including the 2013 Honda Accord and the 2016 Toyota Prius IV.

All 17 cars
  • 2013 Honda Accord in Luce 2013 Honda Accord Important role
  • 2016 Toyota Prius IV in Luce 2016 Toyota Prius IV Important role
  • 2006 Chevrolet Impala in Luce 2006 Chevrolet Impala Minor role
  • 2013 Chevrolet Traverse in Luce 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Background role
Details

Luce Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “루스” and “류스”.

Also known as
  • 루스
  • 류스
  • Люс
  • Лус
  • פנים רבות לאמת
  • 卢斯
  • 盧斯
  • Luz
  • Dokonalý student
  • ルース・エドガー
  • Dokonalý študent

Seen Luce?

FAQ

Luce FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Luce?

Luce runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Luce released?

Luce was released on August 2, 2019.

Who directed Luce?

Luce was directed by Julius Onah.

More films by Julius Onah

Who is in the cast of Luce?

Luce stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Luce Edgar, Tim Roth as Peter Edgar and Naomi Watts as Amy Edgar, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Luce make at the box office?

Luce grossed $2.3 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $257,591 international).

How is Luce rated?

Luce has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Was Luce nominated for any awards?

Luce received 3 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Luce have a post-credit scene?

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

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