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

500+ 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

08/15/2019

3.5/5

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

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

08/14/2019

2.5/4

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.

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

08/09/2019

3/4

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

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Francesca Faccani

Loud and Clear Reviews

09/21/2024

3.5/5

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.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/23/2022

4.5/5

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

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Bianca Garner

Next Best Picture

05/05/2021

7/10

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.

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Andrew N

@Anics07 Feb 15

This was a very slow movie and there was basically not really any sort of plot. I would not recommend this movie unless you like very slow movies with lots of pointless dialog. The acting wasn't bad but just not not my kind of movie.

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Griffith J

@griffithxjohnson Dec 9

The impossible task of a scared father protecting a growing child is emotionally relatable. The subtle & quick editing packs some powerful punches. A slow burn pace with these long strings of dialogue with a payoff that isn’t terribly satisfying. The suspense is well crafted & fear is always present. Sparse on the world building but a realistic & interesting look at how the world would be in this crisis.

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Ken W

@RT81122974 Aug 6

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.

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Kenneth C

@RT55318615 Jul 18

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

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Spike D

@Spike93 05/17/2025

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

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Jeremy W

@RT04487536 11/29/2024

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.

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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