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Luce 2019

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.

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.

Does Luce have end credit scenes?

No!

Luce does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Luce

Explore the complete cast of Luce, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Luce

See how Luce is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Luce stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

67

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.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Luce

70
Echo Score

Art & Craft

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.

80
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

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.

65
Echo Score

Story & Flow

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.

60
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

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.

60
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

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.

Metacritic

72

Metascore

7.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

91%

TOMATOMETER

review

77%

User Score

IMDb

6.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

64

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.4

From 16 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.00/5

From 6 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Luce Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Luce with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Luce Quiz: Unraveling the Layers: Test your knowledge about the intricate themes and characters in the movie Luce (2019).

What is Luce Edgar's background?

Awards & Nominations for Luce

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Luce, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Luce and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


35th Film Independent Spirit Awards 2020

Nomination

Best Director

Julius Onah
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Nomination

Best Male Lead

Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Octavia Spencer
Nomination

Best Supporting Female

Octavia Spencer

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Luce

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Read the complete plot summary of Luce, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


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.

One day, while at work, Amy receives a concerning call from Harriet, prompting an urgent meeting at the school. During this meeting, Harriet presents a troubling essay Luce wrote for a class assignment, where students were asked to express their thoughts from the perspective of a historical figure. Luce’s choice of Frantz Fanon—a revolutionary figure advocating for the violent overthrow of colonialism—raises significant alarm for Harriet, given Luce’s background as a former child soldier. In addition, Harriet reveals to Amy that she discovered illegal fireworks in Luce’s locker, heightening the tension.

Unsettled by these revelations, Amy and Peter decide to keep the matter from Luce. During dinner, the family discusses Harriet again, and Luce perceives her as someone who unfairly targets students for her personal agenda. He references Stephanie Kim (Andrea Bang), a classmate with a painful past, arguing that he doesn’t want to be merely labeled as a token representation of his race. The following day, Luce speaks to Harriet about his essay, emphasizing that he was merely fulfilling the assignment without any genuine intent to endorse violence. However, Harriet misinterprets his comment about the fireworks as a threat, leading her to inform Peter.

A confrontation ensues between Luce and his parents over the fireworks and his supposed threat, but Luce insists that the fireworks do not belong to him, adding complexity to the situation. Meanwhile, Harriet is grappling with her sister Rosemary (Marsha Stephanie Blake), who struggles with mental illness. Their encounter with Luce leaves Harriet feeling shaken, especially as Rosemary has a breakdown that leads to a dramatic police intervention.

As events unfold, Amy learns from Stephanie about her traumatic experience and that Luce was present at the party, further complicating her perception of Luce. The situation worsens when a shocking incident involving Rosemary occurs at school, followed by Harriet’s home being vandalized and accusations against Luce surfacing. Harriet informs school principal Towson (Norbert Leo Butz) and a tense meeting with Luce and his parents is scheduled.

Despite Harriet’s accusations against Luce, video evidence presented by him turns the tides against her, causing friction between Harriet and the Edgars. When discussing the fireworks incident, Amy lies to protect Luce, further straining Harriet’s professional standing. The tension culminates as fireworks mysteriously explode in Harriet’s desk, resulting in her dismissal due to suspicion of wrongdoing.

While grappling with the fallout, Luce chooses to confront Harriet, voicing how her actions negatively impacted his friend DeShaun’s career and how he feels stereotyped by her. As Luce’s relationship with Stephanie takes a turn, Amy senses something amiss, leading her to confront the unsettling reality of her son’s actions. Ultimately, Luce’s duality surfaces as he publicly praises his parents while secretly dealing with inner turmoil. The film weaves a complex narrative of race, identity, and the pressures of societal expectations.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Luce

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Luce. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

The Teacher

LUCE | The Mother – Now Playing In NY/LA

LUCE | The Son – Now Playing In NY/LA

LUCE | The Father – Now Playing In NY/LA

Luce | Trailer | Own it now on Blu-ray, DVD, & Digital

LUCE | Your Son Scares Me - Now Playing In NY/LA

LUCE | Debate Prep – Now Playing In NY/LA

Luce | 10 Minute Preview | Own it now on DVD & Digital

U.S. Dramatic Competition: Luce

Cars Featured in Luce

See 17 more

Explore all cars featured in Luce, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Chevrolet

2006

Impala

Chevrolet

2013

Traverse

Dodge

2014

Grand Caravan

Honda

2006

Accord

Honda

2013

Accord

Hyundai

2007

Elantra

Hyundai

2017

Elantra

Mazda

2014

3

Mercedes-Benz

2007

E 350 S211

Mercedes-Benz

2014

E-Klasse W212

Luce Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


husband wife relationshipadoptive father adopted son relationshipadoptive mother adopted son relationshiphigh schoolteenage boygunshotethnic stereotyperacial stereotypeblack americanafrican americannuditydrug useapplausehigh school debaterhistory and government teacherspeechcharacter name as titlepridepublic speakingb wordpolitical correctnesssexismtongue clickcomputerapple computerf wordreference to nelson mandelateenage girlclassclassroomwatching a movie in a classroomboyfemale doctorcell phonetelephone callphotograph on a computerrunningcheerleadertrack and fieldpounding fistsparent teacher conferencereference to franklin d. rooseveltreference to fidel castrolocker roomshowerteenage boy in a showerreference to frantz fanoncolonizationviolencepolitics

Luce Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Luce across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


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

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