Movie Review: ‘Lumina’ – A Lost Quest

The subject of aliens, alternate planets and the possible existence of other life forms always makes for a great basis for sci-fiction stories and films. There is always the debate about aliens being real or not, and usually, it takes a good alien abduction story to fan the conspiracy theories.

Writer and director Gino McKoy attempts to dabble into this foray with what is described as a comedic, horror sci-fi film, ‘Lumina‘. The film follows the story of four friends who desperately search for their friend, who they believe has been abducted by aliens. The premise sounds promising, blending genres that could deliver a unique and entertaining experience. Unfortunately, this film struggles to find its footing right from the jump, leaving much to be desired.

In the film, Alex (played by Rupert Lazarus) and his girlfriend Tatiana (played by Eleanor Williams) throw a house party, inviting a few friends, including Alex’s ex-girlfriend Delilah (played by Andrea Tivadar) and Patricia (played by Sidney Nicole Rogers). Later that night, things take a bizarre turn when Tatiana mysteriously vanishes in what looks like an extraterrestrial event.

The story then jumps forward several months, or maybe years even. It’s hard to tell exactly how long it’s been, except for the full beard Alex has grown in that time. Alex, still haunted by the disappearance of his girlfriend, is holed up in his mansion, obsessively researching alien abductions and similar occurrences. His dreams are plagued by nightmarish visions that nearly lead him to harm Patricia, who lives with him.

Rupert Lazarus and Eleanor Williams in Lumina (2024)

The plot kicks into gear when Alex decides to launch a search for Tatiana, enlisting the help of his friend George (played by Ken Lawson), who claims to have had his own alien encounter. Patricia, in a bid to stop Alex from embarking on this potentially dangerous and useless mission, calls in Delilah, hoping she can change his mind. However, Delilah, driven by her lingering feelings for Alex, decides it’s best to join him on the quest. Her real intention is to be there for Alex and, perhaps, win back his love and affection.

The group then sets off on an adventure that takes them through encounters with various strange drifters, including Tatiana’s parents and eventually some aliens, all of which contribute to the film’s confusing narrative. The film’s pacing and feel are erratic, and the story seems to meander aimlessly, failing to build the tension necessary for a compelling horror or sci-fi experience.

One of the film’s most glaring issues is its incoherent storytelling. The plot is riddled with holes and lacks a clear direction, which is sure to leave most viewers puzzled rather than intrigued. The quality of acting in ‘Lumina‘ is equally underwhelming. Rupert Lazarus is not convincing enough in his role as Alex. He struggles to convey the emotional depth necessary for the audience to connect with his character. His performance is flat, making it difficult to empathize with his plight or even care about his quest.

Many of the other actors deliver similarly unconvincing performances. Even Eric Roberts, who plays Thom, a strange drifter that supposedly could help the friends in finding Tatiana. Even though he manages to deliver an okay performance, his role is so minor that it feels almost insignificant. The fact that his appearance coincides with the start of the film’s descent into craziness and chaos in the storytelling only underscores the wasted potential.

Eric Roberts in Lumina (2024)

‘Lumina‘ is billed as a comedy, but it struggles to be humorous, to say the least. The attempts at wit, particularly from George, are more awkward than amusing. His jokes and puns fall flat, leaving you wondering whether the issue lies in the writing, the actor’s comedic timing, or perhaps both. I struggled to find anything funny about this film honestly. I can say the same about the horror elements not being the least frightening either.

However, not everything in this film is a complete misfire. ‘Lumina’ was shot on location in Morocco, and the choice of scenery is commendable. The vast, dry landscapes with their sand and rocky hills provide a visually striking backdrop that convincingly represents another planet. The visual effects and colour palettes used in these outdoor scenes enhance the sense of otherworldliness and help immerse the audience in the film’s setting. Unfortunately, the visual effects are inconsistent, particularly when it comes to the alien creatures. At times, the VFX looks amateurish, with the CGI aliens appearing as if they were simply copied and pasted, moving in near-synchronized motions that break the immersion.

You can say this is a film that checks all the boxes aesthetically but fails where it matters most which is in the storytelling. The storyline simply doesn’t work for a feature-length film, and by the end, it doesn’t deliver a satisfying climax or provide answers to the many questions it raises. The film might have fared better as a short, simple, and concise narrative.

I would score this film a 4.5/10. It might be appreciated more by fans of the genre who are less critical of its details, but for most viewers, ‘Lumina‘ looks and feels like a film with a decent budget but lacks the creative vision to fully realize its potential. Like the characters in the movie, the film itself seems lost, unsure of where it’s going or how to get there.