One of the many films that recently premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which ran from January 23 until February 2 in Sundance Resort (a ski resort near Provo, Utah) and Park City, Utah, in Salt Lake City, was a new VR film called Luz.
French actress Isabella Huppert starred in this new virtual reality drama, which grants viewers with wearable VR devices access to the main character’s direct experiences at certain points throughout the movie.
The characters look directly at you, which makes it far more personal and completely separates itself from traditional movies, offering a unique experience that’s far more immersive and engaging than any other film.
The question being asked here is, will VR technology finally take hold in the movie industry? Let’s dive straight in to find out.
What is the movie Luz?
The new movie Luz, the second feature from writer-director Flora Lau, first premiered in January 2025 at Sundance. Many people in the industry are already referring to it as a VR movie, VR film, or multiplayer narrative.
It tries to convey themes of alienation and modern intimacy, and the main characters who are from different backgrounds are all looking for connections with other people in both the physical world and the computer-generated digital realm. Viewers constantly shift between the two realities.
Will VR movies take hold in Hollywood?
The same technology has already been a huge hit in the gaming world. Metaverses, where people can attend music concerts, work, study, play, hang out with friends, shop, and exercise in visually stunning 3D worlds, are also now more popular than ever.
Some of the most famous metaverse that you may already be familiar by now include the following:
- Axie Infinity
- Decentraland
- The Sandbox
- Fortnite
- Somnium Space
Some say that this VR tech will also soon take off in the iGaming industry, meaning that people may one day be able to play the best UK slots and live dealer games in a virtual 3D environment – time will tell.
Hollywood will no doubt pay close attention to the reviews and feedback this new VR movie gets, and these types of films could one day become the norm in the movie industry.
It’s not the first time a VR movie has been made.
Oscar-winning actress/producer Geena Davis also starred in a VR movie called Oculus’ Dear Angelica, which premiered at Sundance back in 2017. However, movie-making and virtual reality technology have both come a long way since then.
VR movies create a much more intense experience for the viewer, but whether it will catch on remains to be seen.
The movie Luz is a must-watch for moviegoers who also have a keen interest in virtual reality technology. Watching Luz will give you a glimpse into the potential future of filmmaking.
It won’t win any Oscars for best storyline, but the idea itself will open up a world of possibilities for future filmmakers. The 1 hour 42-minute film works much better as a visual piece than a movie that will stand the test of time, but it does have a respectable IMDB score of 6.00.
It’s the first movie of its kind to blend the physical and digital realms by using soft sci-fi aesthetics to create mesmerising and captivating cityscapes and pixelated 3D environments.
Final thoughts
It’s unlikely that Hollywood will start churning out VR movies any time soon, but it may be worth keeping a close eye on.
VR technology continues to evolve, and the movie industry is constantly looking for ways to tap into younger audiences and incorporate exciting new technologies into their movie-making process.
Don’t forget that the best way to watch this new VR movie if you decide to give it a try is to use a wearable VR device, such as the PSVR2, the Apple Vision Pro, or the Meta Quest 3, to name a few.
