Lucy (2014)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Unlikely Hero: Lucy’s Introduction

The movie begins with Lucy (Scarlett Johansson), an ordinary young woman living in Taiwan. She’s roped into a dangerous situation when her boyfriend tricks her into delivering a mysterious briefcase to a Korean mob boss named Mr. Jang (Choi Min-sik). Things go wrong when Lucy is captured and forced to become a drug mule for a synthetic drug called CPH4.

The CPH4 Incident

Lucy undergoes surgery to have a bag of CPH4 sewn into her abdomen. When the bag ruptures inside her body, it causes a profound reaction, increasing her brain’s cognitive capacity. As the drug takes effect, Lucy begins to unlock more than the typical 10% of brain capacity, gaining extraordinary mental and physical powers.

Evolution of Her Powers

As Lucy’s brain power increases, so do her abilities. She develops telekinesis, mind control, and enhanced physical capabilities, all while her emotions start to fade, becoming more machine-like and focused on gathering knowledge. She reaches out to Professor Samuel Norman (Morgan Freeman), a neuroscientist who has long theorized about the brain’s untapped potential, in hopes of understanding her transformation.

Hunt for the Remaining Drugs

Lucy learns that she needs more of the CPH4 to continue evolving. In a race against time, she teams up with a French police officer, Pierre Del Rio (Amr Waked), to retrieve the remaining drugs from the other mules. Meanwhile, Mr. Jang and his henchmen are hot on her trail, desperate to recover their product.

The Convergence of Knowledge

As Lucy’s brain approaches 100% capacity, her abilities become god-like. She manipulates time, matter, and space. In a climactic scene, Lucy connects with every form of life throughout time, experiencing the entire history of the universe.

Movie Ending

At the end of the film, Lucy fully unlocks her brain’s potential and transcends human form, becoming an omnipresent consciousness. Before this transformation, she uploads all her knowledge into a supercomputer, leaving humanity with the tools to understand and explore the mysteries of existence. In her final moment, she disappears, leaving behind a text message for Del Rio: “I am everywhere.”

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Lucy (2014) does not have any post-credits scenes. The film’s ending is left open to interpretation, with Lucy’s evolution suggesting that she has become part of the very fabric of the universe.

Type of Movie

Lucy is a sci-fi action thriller with elements of philosophical inquiry. It explores the themes of human potential, evolution, and the consequences of advancing technology, while also delivering fast-paced action sequences.

Cast

Scarlett Johansson as Lucy
Morgan Freeman as Professor Samuel Norman
Amr Waked as Pierre Del Rio
Choi Min-sik as Mr. Jang
Julian Rhind-Tutt as The Limey

Film Music and Composer

The score for Lucy was composed by Éric Serra, who frequently collaborates with Luc Besson. The music adds to the futuristic, fast-paced tone of the film, blending orchestral elements with electronic sounds to enhance the feeling of evolution and transcendence.

Filming Locations

Taipei, Taiwan: Key scenes, especially Lucy’s capture and transformation, were filmed in the bustling city.
Paris, France: The chase scenes and the final confrontation take place in Paris, showcasing iconic locations like the Sorbonne.
New York City, USA: Some establishing shots of Lucy’s evolution and worldwide events.

These diverse locations reflect the film’s global scale, emphasizing Lucy’s transition from a simple woman to a being beyond human understanding.

Awards and Nominations

While Lucy didn’t receive many major award nominations, it was praised for its visual effects and Scarlett Johansson’s performance. It also became a box office hit, grossing over $460 million worldwide.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Luc Besson was inspired by scientific discussions about the brain’s potential, though the “10% of brain” myth has been debunked.
Scarlett Johansson took an active role in shaping Lucy’s transformation, focusing on how her physicality would change as her brainpower increased.
The futuristic look of the film was influenced by Besson’s previous works, like The Fifth Element.

Inspirations and References

The film was heavily inspired by the myth of the 10% brain usage, despite it being scientifically inaccurate.
The ideas of human evolution and transcendence have been explored in works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Ray Kurzweil’s theories on the singularity.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings, though some deleted scenes involved more philosophical discussions between Lucy and Professor Norman. These were cut to maintain the movie’s fast pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Lucy is not based on a book but takes inspiration from various sci-fi concepts like those found in Neuromancer or The Matrix, where technology allows humans to transcend their limitations.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Lucy’s escape from captivity: After the CPH4 kicks in, she breaks free in a stunning sequence that showcases her newfound abilities.
The car chase in Paris: A thrilling sequence where Lucy manipulates traffic with her mind.
The final confrontation with Mr. Jang: As Lucy reaches 100% brain capacity, she experiences time itself, evolving into a higher form of existence.

Iconic Quotes

Lucy: “Life was given to us a billion years ago. What have we done with it?”
Professor Norman: “What happens when she reaches 100%?”
Lucy: “I am everywhere.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The film draws parallels between Lucy and the earliest human ancestor—also named Lucy, hinting at the cyclical nature of evolution.
The depiction of the Big Bang and the evolution of the universe during the final moments of the film mirrors the creation scenes in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Trivia

Luc Besson started writing the script for Lucy over a decade before the film’s release.
Scarlett Johansson’s role as Lucy led many to compare it to her portrayal of a similarly god-like character in Her (2013).
The film’s concept of CPH4 is inspired by real chemicals found in pregnant women that help embryos grow, although the film exaggerates its effects.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy films that mix sci-fi action with philosophical questions about human potential and evolution, Lucy is a must-watch. It’s visually striking, with an intriguing premise and a compelling lead performance by Scarlett Johansson.