Luce

Sparks fly when a star pupil's parents (played by Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) are alerted to potentially troubling behaviour by his teacher (Octavia Spencer) in this tense drama that turns modern kitchens and sterile classrooms into battle fields. The intricate plot asks questions about the damage caused when labels are put on young people, and what we will do to protect our own expectations. The script also delves into racial politics in a way few dramas would dare - the student in question has been adopted from war-torn Eritrea. Four fine actors come together to create a nail-biting journey, with young star Kelvin Harrison Jr (Mudbound, it Comes at Night) keeping up with on-screen parents Watts and Roth. The standout, however, is Spencer. The Oscar winner turns in a nuanced performance that keeps you guessing as to her true intentions. Luce is a complicated story sewn together by wonderful performances, with a fascinating exploration of society's messy morality.