Luce 2019
"The truth has many faces."
Julius Onah's thought-provoking drama *Luce (2019)* explores the unsettling collision between perception and reality when a charismatic high-school athlete's carefully constructed image begins to crack under scrutiny. The film follows Luce Edgar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Director: Julius Onah
Cast
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Luce Edgar
Naomi Watts
Amy Edgar
Octavia Spencer
Harriet Wilson
Tim Roth
Peter Edgar
Norbert Leo Butz
Dan Towson
Andrea Bang
Stephanie Kim
Marsha Stephanie Blake
Rosemary Wilson
Omar Brunson
Corey Johnson
Noah Gaynor
Kenny Orlicki
Stro
DeShaun Meeks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Luce (2019) about?
*Luce (2019)* follows a model student and athlete whose carefully maintained image is shattered when his teacher questions the radical undertones of his personal essay. As family tensions rise and community divides deepen, the film peels back layers of identity, race, and trust to ask: how well can we ever really know someone?
Who directed Luce?
Luce was directed by Julius Onah, known for his sharp, socially conscious storytelling that blends drama with psychological tension.
Who stars in Luce?
The film features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Luce Edgar, alongside Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth, and Andrea Bang in pivotal roles.
Is Luce (2019) worth watching?
While not rated on IMDb, *Luce (2019)* delivers a compelling watch for fans of intense character-driven dramas like *Get Out* and *The Hate U Give*. Its exploration of race and identity, anchored by strong performances, makes it a standout in the thriller-drama genre. The film challenges viewers long after the credits roll.
How long is Luce?
Luce has a runtime of 109 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Luce (2019) — A gripping drama unraveling identity, race, and perception in suburbia
Julius Onah's thought-provoking drama *Luce (2019)* explores the unsettling collision between perception and reality when a charismatic high-school athlete's carefully constructed image begins to crack under scrutiny. The film follows Luce Edgar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), an Eritrean-American scholarship student and track star whose polished demeanor masks a private fascination with political radicalism—a revelation that exposes raw divisions within his adoptive family and community. When a passionate teacher (Naomi Watts) questions the authenticity of his personal essay on violence and revolution, the stage is set for a tense confrontation that threatens to unravel fragile bonds of trust and belonging.
Set against the backdrop of an affluent suburban household where idealism and privilege collide, *Luce* crafts a gripping psychological thriller steeped in themes of race, identity, and systemic bias. Harrison's electrifying performance anchors a narrative that forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about who gets to define a person—and what happens when those definitions shatter.
