Performance & Direction: LUZ Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is LUZ (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and LUZ features a noteworthy lineup led by Ernesto Reyes . Supported by the likes of Jesse Tayeh and Jimmy Garcia , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of LUZ (2020) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: LUZ
Quick Plot Summary: LUZ is a Drama, Crime, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: LUZ
Ending Breakdown: LUZ attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of LUZ reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
LUZ Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
LUZ incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, crime, romance film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: LUZ adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch LUZ?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: LUZ
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch LUZ Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVLUZ Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about LUZ age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of LUZ is 118 minutes (1h 58m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, LUZ stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2020 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LUZ worth watching?
LUZ is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find LUZ parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for LUZ identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of LUZ?
The total duration of LUZ is 118 minutes, which is approximately 1h 58m long.
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How LUZ Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for LUZ
When “Ruben” (Ernesto Reyes) is sent to prison he finds his new cell mate “Carlos” (Jesse Tayeh) an unwelcoming bully of a guy and just about everyone else in there ignores him. Gradually, though, he begins to find his feet, befriend his roomie and they soon have quite a productive little illicit business going. Their friendship becomes a little more intimate but before anything much can come of that, one gets released leaving the other in limbo. Once he too gets released, he rather angrily tracks down his friend having been left in the lurch, but pretty obviously hopes that they can pick up where they left off. Of course there are complications with both men and with their families, but maybe? The two performances here are quite engaging as the two characters have to come to terms with a sexuality that maybe wasn’t as “fluid” as either expected before they met. The dialogue mix of English and Spanish flows naturally and the film looks like some effort has gone into the production as it keeps the visuals simple (and occasionally explicit) allowing the personalities to tell us a fairly straightforward, and occasionally quite poignantly written, love story. Worth a watch.
When “Ruben” (Ernesto Reyes) is sent to prison he finds his new cell mate “Carlos” (Jesse Tayeh) an unwelcoming bully of a guy and just about everyone else in there ignores him. Gradually, though, he begins to find his feet, befriend his roomie and they soon have quite a productive little illicit business going. Their friendship becomes a little more intimate but before anything much can come of that, one gets released leaving the other in limbo. Once he too gets released, he rather angrily tracks down his friend having been left in the lurch, but pretty obviously hopes that they can pick up where they left off. Of course there are complications with both men and with their families, but maybe? The two performances here are quite engaging as the two characters have to come to terms with a sexuality that maybe wasn’t as “fluid” as either expected before they met. The dialogue mix of English and Spanish flows naturally and the film looks like some effort has gone into the production as it keeps the visuals simple (and occasionally explicit) allowing the personalities to tell us a fairly straightforward, and occasionally quite poignantly written, love story. Worth a watch.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
