Luce (film)

Luce is a 2019 American political thriller film directed by Julius Onah. The film stars Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Octavia Spencer, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Norbert Leo Butz. It is based on the play of the same name by J.C. Lee, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Onah.

The plot centers around Luce Edgar, a high-achieving Eritrean-American teenager adopted as a child by white parents. He is considered a model student and a shining example of integration. However, his teacher, Harriet Wilson, becomes concerned when she finds a disturbing essay he wrote advocating for political violence, particularly in the context of historical figures and revolutionaries. This discovery sets off a chain of events that unravels the carefully constructed facade of Luce's perfect life and exposes the complex layers of his identity, past trauma, and the pressures of racial expectations.

The film explores themes of race, identity, privilege, perception, and the burden of representation. It raises questions about how we judge individuals based on their race, background, and perceived potential. It also examines the perspectives of the parents, the teacher, and Luce himself, leaving the audience to grapple with the ambiguity of the situation and the motivations of each character. The film deliberately avoids offering easy answers, prompting viewers to question their own biases and assumptions. Luce premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and received critical acclaim for its performances and thought-provoking narrative.