Lucky (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Lucky is a 2017 comedy drama starring Barry Shabaka Henley as Joe and Beth Grant. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $2.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Lucky About?
The premise of Lucky without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In a remote desert town, a hardened 90-year-old man named Lucky, who doesn's believe in anything, embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Having lived a long life and outlived his friends, he finds himself confronting the big questions. Through a series of unusual encounters with a diverse cast of characters, Lucky is challenged to examine his beliefs and consider the possibility of something more.
Lucky Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- retiree
- philosophy
- desert
- mariachi music
- crossword puzzle
- nothingness
- spirituality
- old man
- older person
- navy veteran
- diner
- birthday party
+38 more Show fewer
- cactus
- pet store
- tortoise
- will arrangement
- medical examination
- fear
- world war two veteran
- cigarette smoking
- lollipop
- interracial friendship
- watering a plant
- older man young woman friendship
- sharing a joint
- bar
- pinata
- convenience store
- bodega
- mariachi band
- yoga
- one word title
- nickname
- nickname as title
- glass of milk
- telephone call
- dictionary
- doctor
- blowing out candles on a birthday cake
- singing
- mexican american
- mother son relationship
- grandmother grandson relationship
- applause
- singer
- garden
- song
- violin
- guitar
- iphone
Lucky Cast & Characters
Barry Shabaka Henley leads the cast as Joe, with Beth Grant as Elaine.
-
Barry Shabaka Henley as Joe -
Beth Grant as Elaine
Lucky Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lucky 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Lucky Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Lucky offers a quietly assured tribute to life and mortality led by a commanding central performance. The film’s thoughtful direction and measured editing deliver a cohesive series of character vignettes that emphasize routine and existential reflection. Across its episodic structure, each scene contributes to a contemplative mood without relying on overt drama. While the pacing may test some viewers’ patience, the balanced emotional tone and consistent craftsmanship result in a resonant and unified cinematic experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, Lucky demonstrates assured direction and subtle production design throughout its desert setting. The cinematography captures the sun-soaked town in understated yet evocative compositions, and editing choices support the film’s leisurely pacing. Textural details—dusty storefronts, aging architecture—reinforce the narrative’s reflective tone. Overall, the visual execution remains consistently coherent and deliberately restrained.
- Character & Emotion 92
In terms of character and emotion, the film is anchored by a deeply nuanced central performance. Harry Dean Stanton’s understated delivery conveys both quiet dignity and existential unrest, supported by a cohesive ensemble of veteran actors. Interpersonal chemistry arises naturally in routine exchanges, and moments of subdued vulnerability resonate effectively. In sum, character portrayal provides the film’s most compelling dimension.
- Story & Flow 70
When it comes to story and flow, Lucky unfolds through episodic vignettes rather than a traditional narrative arc. The screenplay prioritizes contemplative moments over cause-and-effect progression, yielding an unhurried rhythm. While this measured pacing enhances thematic meditation on mortality, it occasionally creates a sense of disconnection between segments. On balance, the narrative framework supports the film’s reflective intent despite its loose cohesion.
- Sensory Experience 80
When it comes to sensory experience, the film employs a warm, atmospheric sound design and a restrained musical score. Mariachi accompaniment and diegetic harmonica playing punctuate key moments with tonal depth, and ambient desert sounds ground the setting effectively. The visual style favors naturalistic color palettes and subtle lighting shifts, reinforcing the film’s contemplative mood. Overall, audio-visual elements combine to create an immersive yet understated environment.
- Rewatch Factor 75
Regarding rewatch factor, Lucky’s reflective tone and nuanced performances reward repeat viewings with layered emotional insights. The episodic structure and measured pacing unveil subtleties in character interactions that may become more apparent on subsequent watches. While the film’s deliberate rhythm might deter casual replays, viewers inclined toward contemplative cinema will likely discover additional thematic resonance upon revisiting the film.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
297 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Lucky Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Lucky from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lucky chronicles the life of a 90-year-old man grappling with the inevitability of aging. The film beautifully portrays his journey towards acceptance of his own mortality, as he seeks deeper meaning in life.
Full summary
The whole story of Lucky, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Lucky Box Office
Lucky grossed $2.7 million worldwide. $955,925 came from the US and Canada and $1.8 million (65%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.7M
- US & Canada
- $955.9K
- International
- $1.8M
Lucky Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.
- Clip Lucky clip - Gone
- Clip Lucky clip - Bar
- Clip Lucky clip - Diner
- Clip Lucky clip - Party
How Well Do You Know Lucky?
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 Lucky's daily morning routine?
Cars in Lucky
5 cars on screen, including the 1999 Ford Explorer and the Chevrolet unknown.
-
1999 Ford Explorer Minor role -
Chevrolet unknown Background role -
1986 Dodge Ram Background role -
1997 Ford Econoline Background role
Lucky Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Щастливец” and “럭키”.
- Also known as
-
- Щастливец
- 럭키
- لاكي
- Лъки
- 老幸运
- Счастливчик
- לאקי
- Szczęściarz
- 福伯的不老傳說
- ラッキー
Seen Lucky?
Movies Like Lucky
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including O Lucky Man!, The Lucky Ones and The Lucky Man.
Lucky FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Lucky, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lucky?
Lucky runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was Lucky released?
Lucky was released on September 29, 2017.
Who is in the cast of Lucky?
Lucky stars Barry Shabaka Henley as Joe and Beth Grant as Elaine.
How much did Lucky make at the box office?
Lucky grossed $2.7 million worldwide ($955,925 domestic, $1.8 million international).
How is Lucky rated?
Lucky has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 80 on Metacritic, 73% on TMDB and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Lucky have a post-credit scene?
No. Lucky has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Lucky in?
The original language of Lucky is French.
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