Bruno Martín’s Luger is a surprising and contained thriller about two stepbrothers having a really, really bad day that manages to take you on a journey of twists that feels both topical and earned. Light at times, and poignant at others, Luger is the kind of film that balances jokes and seriousness perfectly to deliver a message about white supremacy and what ordinary people can do against it.
The movie follows Toni and Rafa, two stepbrothers who spend their days “taking care” of sensitive materials for wealthy clients. Just from that description, you understand what kind of people we’re dealing with, and what kind of characters Toni and Rafa are. And yet, in many ways, the movie flips the script by having them discover a Nazi Luger. Because it’s one thing to be a fixer, and another thing to find yourself embroiled in something so dark.
Luger handles both things very well. The movie is at times an action comedy, and a very entertaining one, then it switches flawlessly into a bro-comedy, without it becoming the kind that only appeals to men—something that can be hard to do—and then it slips very easily into social commentary as well. Like The Warriors met Superbad and The Banshees of Inisherin.
But Luger is, perhaps, the strongest, as is any movie that dares to give social commentary these days, when it’s doing just that. When it’s looking at white supremacy in the face, and discussing the dangers of fascism, and how some people will insist on making the lives of others revolve around their obsessions and their beliefs. Just like Toni and Rafa get caught in the middle of this, so are we in many ways. It’s relatable. We understand.
Which is why the movie really shines not in the action, as fun as that is, but in how the characters handle the social issues. If it works, and if the message feels relevant, it’s not just because the script feels timely, but because the actors understand what they need to bring into the role. The cast really shines, and they do so in a way that feels natural and that resonates with the message they’re trying to send.
Luger is a worthwhile watch that provides a lot of character tension, great action sequences that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and thoughtful moments that are designed to leave people thinking. Perhaps my favorite movie I watched out of Fantastic Fest, and certainly the one I have recommended to most people, not just for its affecting message, but because of the combination of that and just how much fun I had watching it.
Luger premiered at Fantastic Fest.
