How well can we ever truly know someone? That's the intriguing and unsettling premise of Luce, the new psychological thriller that screened in advance last night for Cineworld Unlimited members.
Rising star Kelvin Harrison Jr. stars as the eponymous Luce, a young man rescued from a war zone, adopted and raised in affluent American suburbia. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth portray the loving adoptive parents who have watched their son grow into a star athlete and student – but all may not be as it seems.
Octavia Spencer plays Luce's history teacher, who is troubled by his school essay advocating the necessity of violence. So is this outwardly impressive student harbouring violent tendencies, or is she just embarking on a vendetta?
Caitlin praises the insight of the screenplay and the conviction of the performances.
Unlimited - who's coming to tonight's Unlimited screening of #Luce? It's not too late to book >> https://t.co/UvLlRel6MD pic.twitter.com/iFtPnzuW2x
— Cineworld Cinemas (@cineworld) 29 October 2019
Dan Smith lauds the complex performance from Kelvin Harrison Jr., who keeps the audience off-balance throughout.
@cineworld Saw the #CineworldUnlimited screening of #Luce tonight. Such a brilliant cast, @kelvharrJR could turn between angel and creep instantly. Are we certain as well that Tim Roth is not American??
— Dan Smith (@dannyrage83) 29 October 2019
Bill Curzon is another viewer who praises Harrison Jr. – this is the latest in a series of engrossing portrayals building to next year's acclaimed Waves.
@cineworld Luce was phenomenal! Kelvin Harrison Jr. gave an excellent lead performance and the supporting cast were also great. I was gripped from start to finish and the film will without a doubt stick with me for a long time. #CineworldUnlimited #Luce @LuceMovie pic.twitter.com/oOEdMtddxS
— Bill Curzon (@CurzonBill) 29 October 2019
Will Driver says the movie is essential viewing for how it engages with present-day concerns, particularly in America.
Still processing #Luce which was tonight's #unlimitedscreening, because its an incredibly thought provoking look at race in America. Definitely need to rewatch and definitely recommend @cineworld
— Will Driver (@WillDriver93) 29 October 2019
Peter Sisson highlights the unnerving score from the Ex Machina duo of Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury.
144) @LuceMovie - An interesting premise that keeps its ambiguity until quite late on. I know who I sided with! Best of all, the music kept making me think of Wendy Carlos' wonderful score for Clockwork Orange. #psfr G1 #CineworldUnlimited #UnlimitedPreview
— Peter Sisson (@velvetcactus198) October 29, 2019
Jen, however, falls somewhere in between, complimenting the acting but saying the payoff isn't completely satisfying – but maybe this is deliberate?
Lots of tension & suspicious buildup. Really thought provoking but ultimately frustrating for the audience. Edge of seat confrontations. Super strong performances, Octavia Spencer Naomi Watts & unnervingly eerie acting from Kelvin Harrison Jr. @cineworld @LuceMovie #Luce pic.twitter.com/IwZC05hjCE
— Jen (@Jennifer1906) 29 October 2019
Missed Luce last night? Don't worry – the movie is released in Cineworld cinemas on 8th November.
Don't forget about your next Unlimited screening: sweeping balloon adventure The Aeronauts starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. The movie screens in IMAX on 1st November and in a standard widescreen presentation on 3rd November.
Not yet part of the Unlimited club? There's never been a better time to sign up. Click here to join Cineworld Unlimited.
.jpg)
.png)
