Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Wyatt There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

losindiscretoscine Awarded with the prize "un certain regard" at the Cannes Film Festival, Michel Franco's second film deals with a social problem largely present in cinema: school bullying in the digital age. The shooting and the framing, specially the fix off-camera shots, as well as the long silences, immerse the public into the deepness of Alejandra's emotions (superbly played by Tessa Ia). Rough, bitter and cold, the harassment scenes come one after another and we enter a kind of vicious circle in which freedom does not exist. Any type of rationality, understanding or communication are in vain in this compulsory contemplation of violence whose origin is unknown by the victim and, maybe, even by the aggressors. The lack of communication and the sobriety of the photography provide more realism to the movie. Finally, the long sequence shot at the ending enhances the beauty and coldness of the whole. With "After Lucia", Michel France offers at the same time a pessimist but realistic and universal vision of the world, in which a simple action in the social media can make a durable impact in anyone's life. Full review on our blog Los Indiscretos : https://losindiscretos.org

farron34 Let me start by saying, I thought this film was difficult to get through – but at the same time, it kept me captivated and anxious to see what could possibly happen next. The level of cruelty in staggering, yet sadly, I'm sure things of this nature happen quite often. There were several times when I simply starred wide-eyed at the screen in disbelief. I wanted Ale to snap and retaliate, but she takes it all, without a peep. Hard to believe kids can be that cruel. Cinematically, I thought the camera work was done well. Great composition of shots, and the lighting was great throughout. There were many long shots, and not a lot of dialogue, which made the film unfold slowly. I thought the direction, and editing were done well. I liked the acting, especially that of Ia, her blank face added a another dimension to the film. Overall, a well made film, though very intense and heartbreaking, making it bit disturbing to watch.

Maciek Kur I saw this in Polish cinema the other day. In many ways "Después de Lucia" is the ultimate movie about school bullying.The parts that focus around the student Alejadra being tormented by her classmates are incredibly cruel and get more and more hard and to watch. It's just depressing how a bunch of children can destroy another person life just for "fun" but at the same time it's so realistic it's almost scary. Very powerful and moving. Then when the movie turns into a dark revenge fantasy at the end it's very satisfying to watch.I won't spoil it but something horrible happens to one of the bullies and some people where almost clapping in the cinema happy that he got what he deserve but at the same time it was very disturbing moment...However while the 2/3 of the movie is just great the fist 1/3 is one of the most boring movie experience I ever had. The dialog is bad, characters warent all that interesting and the way the action moves was slow as a snail... I wish somebody would edit-out about 20 minutes of 1st act and get to the good stuff.I'm happy I saw it but I'm sad to say that the 1st act truly hurt the movie... Still a solid recommendation on my part!

josymontmartre-1 "Después de Lucia" is interesting although it's a bit of a show-off from the director who already did the very disturbing "Daniel y Ana". I'm not sure about what his point of view on the story really is, for it is blurred by the abundance of topics : how to survive a loss, how much you are able to accept to suffer so as to find redemption from your guilt, how fast you can get to self-justice, and on top of that, the very modern and recurrent theme of school bullying, central to the film.Franco's way of filming is so self-consciously reminiscent of Michael Haneke, in this quiet but terrible series of semi-violent events (obviously more psychological than physical), that it is almost annoying at times. The final scene is just a reproduction of Funny Games' final scene... and I'm wondering if, as a spectator, I have to see it just as an homage to Haneke or as sequence of the film in itself. I mean... was it necessary to complete the film, powerful enough and explanatory in itself, that way ? Not sure, even if it brings some sort of balance to the absurdity of the rest.Anyway Michel Franco is someone to watch, "Después de Lucia" is a very strong piece... but I think it's time he finds his own path, away from his apparently beloved master and model.