Beyond the Lights

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2:26

Beyond the Lights

PG-13,

2014,

1h 56m,

Drama/

Romance

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83%

89 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Though she's been groomed for stardom all her life by an overbearing mother (Minnie Driver), singer Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is having trouble dealing with her success. Feeling unable to cope any longer, Noni tries to kill herself, but luckily Kaz (Nate Parker), the police officer assigned to be her bodyguard, thwarts her suicide attempt. Noni and Kaz feel an instant attraction, but those in their orbit oppose the romance for fear the pair will stray from the course planned out for both of them.

Critics Consensus

Thanks to smart direction and a powerhouse performance from Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Beyond the Lights transcends its formulaic storyline to deliver thoroughly entertaining drama.

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Constance Gibbs

IndieWire

Mar 31, 2020

The movie takes audiences from loud, sexy, music videos to the quietness of two people falling in love over a box of old song lyrics, all without missing a beat.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 1, 2017

C+

It's not enough to compel cynics like myself, but it will likely touch the heart of romantics everywhere.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Mar 21, 2017

You'll walk away from this film lighthearted and wanting to hold someone's hand.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 2, 2021

2/5

A sense of déjà vu hangs heavy over the movie's every frame.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

May 14, 2020

4/5

This quality drama about the all-consuming nature of fame desperately aspired to - and then precariously achieved - deserved to find a much wider audience upon original release.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Dec 14, 2019

What could have been a worn-out 'been there, done that' story in the hands of a lesser director, thanks to [Gina] Prince-Bythewood, there is an integrity and intelligence that elevates the characters and the film as a whole.

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Anakin M

Oct 20, 2018

I LOVED this movie! Amazing acting and the story is so real

Finn S

Aug 11, 2018

Just a great film! Gugu M'Batharaw's performance was nothing shirt of masterful. So much vulnerability and emotion with just a look and that scene at the bar is a star making one. Outstanding!

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Rey S

Jul 21, 2018

absolute waste of time!

Poe R

Jun 23, 2018

I had to watch this movie for my Art of Cinema college class, I honestly went into this movie without any expectations and expecting it to be boring or cheesy/cliche. But I was pleasantly surprise on how much I enjoyed this movie, although the ending was a little predictable, the romance between Nono and Kaz was cute and I enjoyed the character development they both went through.

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Albus S

Jul 2, 2017

Very smooth and well made. I'm totally gaga for Gugu!

Rey W

Jan 26, 2017

BEYOND THE LIGHTS is an exceptionally well written, directed, cast, photographed and edited film . . . in which GUGU MBATHA-RAW (!) and NATE PARKER (The next DENZEL WASHINGTON?) shine so very, very bright. BEYOND THE LIGHTS has everything required of a GREAT romantic film . . . including the supremely talented and gorgeous female lead. Highs, lows, drama, even beautifully light moments . . . see it . . . and . . . fall in love. BEYOND THE LIGHTS and GUGU MBATHA-RAW possesses every super star quality . . .

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Gina Prince-Bythewood

Director

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Noni

Nate Parker

Kaz Nicol

Minnie Driver

Macy Jean

Danny Glover

Captain David Nicol

Machine Gun Kelly

Kid Culprit

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Beyond the Lights: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Though she's been groomed for stardom all her life by an overbearing mother (Minnie Driver), singer Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is having trouble dealing with her success. Feeling unable to cope any longer, Noni tries to kill herself, but luckily Kaz (Nate Parker), the police officer assigned to be her bodyguard, thwarts her suicide attempt. Noni and Kaz feel an instant attraction, but those in their orbit oppose the romance for fear the pair will stray from the course planned out for both of them.

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Producer: Stephanie Allain, Ryan Kavanaugh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Reggie Rock Bythewood
Screenwriter: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Homegrown Pictures, Undisputed Cinema
Rating: PG-13 (Partial Nudity|Language|Sexual Content|Suggestive Gestures|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 24, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m

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