Light of My Life

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2:28

Light of My Life

R

2019

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

"Dad" (Casey Affleck) and daughter, "Rag" (Anna Pniowsky) journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out nearly all the female population, putting the world order in peril. As Dad struggles to protect his daughter's innocence, shielding her from the newfound dangers of man, their bond and the character of humanity is tested as Dad is forced to defend his daughter at all costs.

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Critics Consensus

Its deliberate pace may test the patience, but viewers attuned to Light of My Life's sober wavelength will be rewarded with a thought-provoking chiller.

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

It's not a pretty picture he paints here. But it makes you want Affleck to keep picking up that brush.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 15, 2019

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Though "Light of My Life" is a well-filmed and occasionally brutally effective piece of work, Affleck dilutes the power of the story with too many self-indulgent, patience-testing scenes.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 14, 2019

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

The pace sometimes drags, although I got drawn into the film's slow patient build.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 9, 2019

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Francesca Faccani

Loud and Clear Reviews

Light of My Life could have fairly ended after the first scene. [...] Expectations have been created and, subsequently, partially neglected. However, it’s done in a gentle and innocent way.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 21, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

...the film’s message is forceful, its approach is thoughtful, and its storytelling is raw and unflinching.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

Bianca Garner

Next Best Picture

Affleck brings a sure hand to his direction and writing to compliment his already proven acting chops in this solid debut. Anna Pniowsky is sensational.

Rated: 7/10

May 5, 2021

Full Review

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Ken W

If you love a great ending do not watch because there is none. Not much of a plot either. I barely kept my eyes open waiting for something to happen.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

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Kenneth C

It was slow to start. But the movie ends up being well worth it. I was left wanting more.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Spike D

Shares many story beats with The Road, but delivers them with less bleakness, and therefore less impact.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Jeremy W

Terribly indulgant first scene that is ten times too long. The father son/daughter thing means it is not sure what the audience is. Is this a YA dystopia or a drama ? The script does not propell the story forward it kind of meaders like the hiking. Dull ultimately.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

Ishara L

Bleak, poignant and well made. Unfortunately, it only skirts along the themes it tries to comment on. Outside forces try to break the father-daughter relationship for reasons that are only insinuated. Like her father, the movie protects her too much, never really endangers here. Only teaches her to survive, not to be strong. To run and hide. Live to hide another day. Without any kind of character empowerment, it felt weak. Any kind of beauty that is discovered is immediately dismissed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Jana P

This started out so S L O W and never recovered. It is a waste of time. I haven't seen such a poor movie in a long time. I expected more from Casey.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

Full Review

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Light of My Life: Trailer 1

2:28

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Synopsis

"Dad" (Casey Affleck) and daughter, "Rag" (Anna Pniowsky) journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out nearly all the female population, putting the world order in peril. As Dad struggles to protect his daughter's innocence, shielding her from the newfound dangers of man, their bond and the character of humanity is tested as Dad is forced to defend his daughter at all costs.

Director: Casey Affleck
Producer: John Powers Middleton, Teddy Schwarzman, Casey Affleck
Screenwriter: Casey Affleck
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: Black Bear Pictures, Sea Change Media
Rating: R (Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2019
Runtime: 1h 59m

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