Lumina

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Lumina

R

Released Jul 12, 2024

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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18 Reviews

83%

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100+ Ratings

A terrifying sci-fi thrill ride, Lumina follows four friends desperately searching for their abductee friend in a DUMB -- DEEP UNDERGROUND MILITARY BASE. Whether they find their friend or not, what they find in the desert of the US to the sands of the Sahara, will change their lives forever. PATRICIA, a free-spirited Nubian hippie and amateur videographer, is staying at the house of her rich friend, ALEX who decides to throw a party that will reunite old friends and introduce them to his new girl, TATIANA. The night seems destined for drama when he invites DELILAH, an old girlfriend who doesn't hide her feelings for him. Despite the tension running through the celebration, the night goes off without a hitch. Everything changes with the sudden appearance of blinding lights from the sky. One second they're there, the next they're gone, and the only thing for sure is that Tatiana has disappeared. Months go by, during which Alex's mental state deteriorates. He's joins an online community of conspiracy theorists and UFO watchers and has even reached out to GEORGE, an old acquaintance whose beliefs demand a matching tin foil hat. Worried about him, Patricia calls Delilah. After a recent falling out Delilah has been reluctant to come by, but jumps at the opportunity to worm her way back into his life. Alex is convinced he must find Tatiana and he believes she's in a DUMB. After an intensely vivid dream about Tatiana being held captive there. The four friends set out on a trip that will change some lives and take others. After being hunted by alien menaces, tracked by the government, and chased by lights in the sky, they quickly realize that they have gotten themselves in too deep.

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

A film so breathtaking in its overall incompetence that one starts to wonder if it’s not intentionally so in the hope of being the next “The Room” or “Birdemic.”

Rated: 0/4

Jul 14, 2024

Full Review

Michael Nordine

Variety

Lumina crash-lands. Its ambitions are lofty, but they’re also undermined at nearly every turn by chintzy visual effects that prove more distracting than immersive and uniformly wooden performances.

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Steve Biodrowski

Cinefantastique

Nothing sensible ever comes to light, and when the film reaches its big finale, it feels like a proof-of-concept demo reel of special effects and action sequences strung together almost at random.

Rated: 1/5

Sep 24, 2024

Full Review

Tony Asankomah

GhMovieFreak

You can say this is a film that checks all the boxes aesthetically but fails where it matters most which is in the storytelling.

Rated: 4.5/10

Sep 3, 2024

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The sci-fi horror flop Lumina is a pathetic mess of sloppy filmmaking and cringeworthy acting. This incoherent story, which is about a woman's disappearance that is linked to outer space, gets worse as the movie sinks into a void of irredeemable idiocy.

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

The makers of Lumina get that rare credit of creating such an earnest cornucopia of bad (especially its lead performance) that it will earn its midnight MST3K status.

Rated: 1/4

Jul 18, 2024

Full Review

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Deshaun

Lumina is a wild, mind-bending ride! The moment Tatiana vanishes in a flash of blinding light, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. The film explores the terrifying unknown, with Patricia, Alex, Delilah, and George navigating alien threats and government cover-ups as they search for their missing friend. The concept of DUMBs (Deep Underground Military Bases) was fascinating, and the film brilliantly combines sci-fi and horror elements. The characters’ journey across deserts—from the U.S. to the Sahara—builds a sense of isolation and fear, and the tension never lets up. The twist at the end left me speechless! If you’re into conspiracy theories and edge-of-your-seat action, Lumina is a must-see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/03/24

Full Review

Gary M

nice ladies in this movie and that is the only positive thing I can say basically this is probably one of the worst movies every shown in theaters anywhere on the planet next time you have really bad diarrhea just don't flush and stair at it for 2 hours.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

Bobby K

I love the old campy SciFi movies that has a sense of humor, and this film strikes me would fit in that genre. The film has a point of view and subject matter that I am unfamiliar with, but because of that I found it compelling and informative. It certainly makes me think about the subject matter in new light. For an indie film, this horror movie does feature some big sets which looks expensive. I think when you watch a film like this one has to have a sense of humor and doesn't take everything too seriously. I did have a good time and enjoyed the movie. For those campy SciFi fans this horror movie can be an interesting Sunday matinee watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

Ethan M

Gino McKoy’s Lumina is an electrifying blend of sci-fi, horror, and action-adventure that offers a little bit of everything for genre fans. With a compelling story, striking visual effects, and a gripping sound design, this film is a feast for the senses. The cast delivers solid performances, with Emily Hall and Andrea Tivadar, Rupert Lazarus leading the charge, supported by Ken Lawson, and Sidney Nicole Rogers. A special treat is the cameo appearance by the legendary Eric Roberts, adding a touch of star power to the mix. What truly stands out in Lumina is its immersive world-building. The film's special effects are top-notch, seamlessly blending practical and digital elements to create a visually stunning experience. The sound design enhances the tension and excitement, while the moments of music add an atmospheric depth that pulls you further into the story. If you love sci-fi with thrilling twists, eerie horror elements, and high-octane action, Lumina is a must-watch. It’s a film that surprises at every turn and offers something for every kind of moviegoer. Highly recommended!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

Full Review

Patrick W

This independently-produced sci-fi action flick may not have the big budget of studio productions but it keeps the story real and exciting by focusing on an unexpected journey of friends as they go deeper into their rabbit hole. The characters try to discover what happened to their abducted friend which leads to a few surprises along the way. Alex, played by Rupert Lazarus, has to deal with a broken heart along with a strong determination to discover the truth. Sidney Nicole Rogers is also good as Patricia who keeps the other characters grounded despite the increasingly crazier situations they find themselves in. The desert scenery pops and looks like an alien set itself. The director has a good eye for color and composition which keeps the visuals interesting and the production design cool and sleek, particularly towards the end. You may think you know all about alien abductions from other movies but Lumina adds a few more twists to the fiction, or is it fact?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I will admit, I'm not always a horror fan. I don't like loads of blood or cheap scare tactics. But this movie mixes its horror with an intriguing blend of sci-fi and thriller elements. It built subtly, always holding my interest... never giving away too much, so the suspense always remained intact. I won't give any spoilers here, but this is a sci-fi - horror film that I really got into!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

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Gino McKoy

Director

Eric Roberts

Thom

Rupert Lazarus

Alex

Eleanor Williams

Tatiana

Andrea Tivadar

Delilah

Sidney Nicole Rogers

Patricia

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Synopsis

A terrifying sci-fi thrill ride, Lumina follows four friends desperately searching for their abductee friend in a DUMB -- DEEP UNDERGROUND MILITARY BASE. Whether they find their friend or not, what they find in the desert of the US to the sands of the Sahara, will change their lives forever. PATRICIA, a free-spirited Nubian hippie and amateur videographer, is staying at the house of her rich friend, ALEX who decides to throw a party that will reunite old friends and introduce them to his new girl, TATIANA. The night seems destined for drama when he invites DELILAH, an old girlfriend who doesn't hide her feelings for him. Despite the tension running through the celebration, the night goes off without a hitch. Everything changes with the sudden appearance of blinding lights from the sky. One second they're there, the next they're gone, and the only thing for sure is that Tatiana has disappeared. Months go by, during which Alex's mental state deteriorates. He's joins an online community of conspiracy theorists and UFO watchers and has even reached out to GEORGE, an old acquaintance whose beliefs demand a matching tin foil hat. Worried about him, Patricia calls Delilah. After a recent falling out Delilah has been reluctant to come by, but jumps at the opportunity to worm her way back into his life. Alex is convinced he must find Tatiana and he believes she's in a DUMB. After an intensely vivid dream about Tatiana being held captive there. The four friends set out on a trip that will change some lives and take others. After being hunted by alien menaces, tracked by the government, and chased by lights in the sky, they quickly realize that they have gotten themselves in too deep.

Director: Gino McKoy
Producer: Gino McKoy, Hudson McKoy, Lynda McKoy, David Seychell
Screenwriter: Gino McKoy
Distributor: Goldove Entertainment
Production Co: Goldove Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Language|Violent Content)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2024, Wide

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