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Entertainment • Film

Lou

Lou is a 2022 American crime thriller film directed by Anna Foerster.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lou is a 2022 American crime thriller film directed by Anna Foerster. Starring Allison Janney and Jurnee Smollett, it follows a reclusive woman who helps track down a kidnapped child during a violent storm. The film was released by Netflix on September 23, 2022.

Premise

The film follows Lou, a reclusive woman living in the Pacific Northwest, who becomes involved when her neighbour’s daughter is kidnapped during a storm. As the search continues, the characters confront danger and buried personal history.

Cast

The principal cast includes Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, Logan Marshall-Green, Ridley Asha Bateman, and Matt Craven. Janney plays Lou and Smollett plays the child’s mother, Hannah.

Release

Lou premiered on Netflix on September 23, 2022. It was distributed as a streaming release rather than through a traditional theatrical rollout.

Reception

Critical response was mixed. Reviews commonly praised Allison Janney’s lead performance while criticising aspects of the screenplay and character development.

Key facts

  • Lou is a 2022 American crime thriller film directed by Anna Foerster.
  • The film stars Allison Janney as the title character and Jurnee Smollett as Hannah.
  • Its story centres on a kidnapping during a severe storm in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Lou was released globally on Netflix on September 23, 2022.
  • The film received mixed reviews, with praise often directed at Janney's performance.
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Canadian context

Lou was available to Canadian audiences through Netflix, which is a major streaming platform in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lou?
Lou is a 2022 American crime thriller film directed by Anna Foerster and released on Netflix.
Who stars in Lou?
The film stars Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, Logan Marshall-Green, Ridley Asha Bateman, and Matt Craven.
When was Lou released?
Lou was released on September 23, 2022.
What is Lou about?
It follows a reclusive woman who helps her neighbour search for a kidnapped child during a storm, while personal secrets emerge.
Who directed Lou?
Lou was directed by Anna Foerster.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_(2022_film)
    Supports: Director, cast, plot, and release date
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81058695
    Supports: Official release year, genre, synopsis, cast, and streaming availability
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/771566890
    Supports: Genre, runtime, release date, director, producer, and critical reception context