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Drama horror film

Lux Æterna (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Lux Æterna (2019) movie poster

Lux Æterna is a 2019 drama horror film directed by Gaspar Noé, starring Béatrice Dalle as Béatrice, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Abbey Lee. It runs 51 minutes and earned $323,829 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 63/100. Stream it on ARROW and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

worldwide gross
$323.8K
Echo Score
63
Lux Æterna (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
51 min
Director
Gaspar Noé
Genres
Horror , Drama
Original language
French
Studio
Vixens
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lux Æterna About?

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

Two actresses, Béatrice Dalle and Charlotte Gainsbourg, are on a film set telling stories about witches.

Lux Æterna Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • latin title
  • split screen
  • experimental film
  • art film
  • actress shares first name with character
  • actor shares first name with character
  • written by director
  • film director
  • movie director
  • actress
  • film actress
  • movie actress
+29 more
  • filming
  • film shooting
  • female topless nudity
  • witch
  • stake
  • telephone call
  • film within a film
  • filmmaker
  • quotation
  • shouting
  • confusion
  • flashing light
  • blinking light
  • strobe light
  • strobe effect
  • film set
  • cross
  • begins with quotation
  • begins with a quotation
  • ends with quotation
  • parallel narrative
  • showbiz drama
  • cell phone
  • female nudity
  • fireplace
  • voyeurism
  • candy cinema
  • love
  • two word title
Where to watch

Where to Watch Lux Æterna

Stream it on ARROW and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Lux Æterna Cast & Characters

Béatrice Dalle leads the cast as Béatrice, with Charlotte Gainsbourg as Charlotte and Abbey Lee as Abbey. Directed by Gaspar Noé; 20 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Lux Æterna Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (58).

63 /100

Lux Æterna Echo Score Breakdown

Lux Æterna elicits a mixed response, with its experimental ambition praised by many critics while some viewers find its execution taxing. The film's visual daring and meta‑narrative generate strong reactions, both admiring and adverse, leading to a polarized but overall engaged audience. While the sensory overload alienates certain viewers, the work’s distinct voice and audacious style retain a niche appeal. Consequently, the movie earns a modestly positive aggregate rating reflecting its divisive yet compelling nature.

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 cinematography, the film is widely recognized for its bold, neon‑lit aesthetic and split‑screen experimentation. Critics highlight the avant‑garde visual composition as a hallmark of Noé’s style, while some users report discomfort from intense lighting. The production design is described as a collage that underscores the film‑within‑a‑film premise. Overall, the artistic execution is viewed as innovative, earning a solid score.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When evaluating acting and character depth, reviewers note a portrait of violence and gender politics that adds thematic weight, yet the characters remain secondary to the spectacle. Critics commend the meta‑performance tension, whereas user comments are sparse and occasionally dismissive of emotional resonance. The chemistry and nuance are perceived as limited, resulting in a moderate assessment of this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 58

    The narrative structure receives mixed feedback, praised for its originality and slow‑burn tension but critiqued for uneven pacing. Critics celebrate the experimental storytelling and metafictional layers, while some viewers describe the script as “more or less” and the plot as pretentious. The originality is evident, yet the coherence and engagement are uneven, leading to a modest story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience is a defining feature, with reviewers applauding the over‑cranked sound design, neon visuals, and immersive intensity. However, several users report eye strain, strobe hazards, and a headache-inducing effect. The film’s auditory and visual style commands attention and polarizes audiences, balancing admiration with physical discomfort, which justifies a moderately high sensory score.

  • Rewatch Factor 62

    Rewatch potential is debated, as the film’s experimental nature offers a distinct, repeatable intrigue for niche audiences. Critics find the experience engaging and anticipate future projects, while some viewers feel the movie resists multiple viewings due to its demanding sensory load. The lasting appeal exists for fans of Noé’s oeuvre, but broader audiences may hesitate, resulting in a fair rewatch factor.

Plot

Lux Æterna Plot Summary

What happens in Lux Æterna from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lux Æterna opens with a brisk montage of 1920s-style documentary footage about a witch trial, then cuts to Charlotte Gainsbourg and Béatrice Dalle playing fictional versions of themselves. The pair are about to shoot a film, a meta-project titled “God’s Craft” that centers on witches burnt at the stake, and they settle into a conversation on a nearby set about how witches have been depicted on screen, how women are treated on film sets, and the many anecdotes that color their long careers. The moment feels playful and precarious at once, a playful self-reflection brimming with backstage truth.

Full summary

The whole story of Lux Æterna, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Lux Æterna Box Office

Lux Æterna grossed $323,829 worldwide. $50,027 came from the US and Canada and $273,802 (85%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$323.8K

US & Canada
$50K
International
$273.8K
US & Canada 15% Rest of the world 85%
Videos

Lux Æterna Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lux Æterna?

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

Which two actresses portray fictional versions of themselves at the start of the film?

Details

Lux Æterna Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Вечный свет” and “ルクス・エテルナ 永遠の光”.

Also known as
  • Вечный свет
  • ルクス・エテルナ 永遠の光
  • Lvx Æterna
  • Lux Aeterna
  • 永恒之光
  • Вічне світло
  • 룩스 에테르나

Seen Lux Æterna?

FAQ

Lux Æterna FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Lux Æterna, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Lux Æterna?

Lux Æterna runs 51 minutes.

When was Lux Æterna released?

Lux Æterna was released on May 18, 2019.

Who directed Lux Æterna?

Lux Æterna was directed by Gaspar Noé.

More films by Gaspar Noé

Who is in the cast of Lux Æterna?

Lux Æterna stars Béatrice Dalle as Béatrice, Charlotte Gainsbourg as Charlotte and Abbey Lee as Abbey, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch Lux Æterna?

In the US, Lux Æterna is streaming on ARROW, Kanopy and MUBI and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Lux Æterna make at the box office?

Lux Æterna grossed $323,829 worldwide ($50,027 domestic, $273,802 international).

Does Lux Æterna have a post-credit scene?

No. Lux Æterna has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Lux Æterna in?

The original language of Lux Æterna is French.

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