🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Gil Cates Jr.
- Genre: Comedy, Thriller, Dark Comedy
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 43min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (3.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Guy wins the lottery, finally gets the girl, but she discovers his serial killer hobby and mostly cares about keeping the money.
🍿 Lucky: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Lifelong Crush and a Sudden Fortune
Ben Keller, a seemingly unassuming accountant, harbors a quiet, long-standing crush on his office coworker, Lucy St. Martin. Lucy, however, is largely oblivious to Ben’s affection, focused instead on her own ambitions and relationships. Their dynamic shifts dramatically when Ben’s mother discovers a winning lottery ticket worth $36 million.

Winning the Lottery, Losing Innocence
The immense lottery winnings instantly change Ben’s life and, crucially, capture Lucy’s attention. Drawn by the sudden wealth, Lucy begins to reciprocate Ben’s interest, leading to a rapid romance. However, the source of the lottery ticket holds a dark secret that Ben is desperate to keep hidden.

The Dark Secret Revealed
As Ben and Lucy’s relationship deepens, Lucy discovers the horrifying truth behind Ben’s sudden fortune and quiet demeanor. She learns that Ben is a serial killer and that the lottery ticket was originally purchased by one of his victims. This revelation throws their new, money-fueled relationship into chaos.

Living with a Killer
Trapped in a marriage with a serial killer who also happens to be incredibly rich, Lucy faces a moral and existential crisis. She realizes Ben primarily targets women who resemble her, offering a twisted sense of security but also constant dread. Lucy attempts to navigate the bizarre reality, hoping to find a way out while potentially benefiting from Ben’s wealth.

A Detective Closes In
While Lucy grapples with her husband’s true nature, a diligent police detective, Harold Waylon, begins investigating the string of missing blonde women. His investigation slowly leads him closer to Ben, creating further pressure on the already unstable situation. Ben’s overbearing and protective mother also adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding events.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ben Keller (Colin Hanks): A mild-mannered serial killer who becomes wealthy after winning the lottery and pursuing his lifelong crush.
- Lucy St. Martin (Ari Graynor): A gold-digging former co-worker who marries Ben for his money and discovers his murderous secret.
- Pauline Keller (Ann-Margret): Ben’s overprotective mother who is aware of his tendencies and manages his affairs.
- Detective Harold Waylon (Jeffrey Tambor): A diligent police detective investigating the murders of blonde women who becomes suspicious of Ben.
- Grace (Allison Mackie): An individual connected to Ben and Lucy who handles the lottery finances and becomes aware of unsettling details.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ben Keller: “I won the lottery! This changes everything!” – Exclaimed in disbelief and joy after discovering he holds the winning lottery ticket.
- Lucy St. Martin: “Everyone has their little secrets, Ben. It’s what makes us interesting.” – Said casually, hinting at her hidden nature without revealing the full, dark truth.
- Ben Keller: “So… you just… kill people?” – Asked hesitantly and in shock after Lucy confesses or reveals her serial killer activities.
- Detective Hicks: “Mr. Keller, we just have a few more questions about… your recent good fortune.” – Said with suspicion, indicating the detective is starting to connect Ben’s lottery win with strange occurrences.
- Ben Keller: “She’s… complicated.” – A massive understatement used to describe Lucy’s personality and ‘quirks’ to someone else.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Unknown
- Domestic Gross: $8,564
- Worldwide Gross: $8,564
💥 Lucky Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched ‘Lucky’ and WOW, it’s a weird one! I went in expecting some kind of dark comedy, and it definitely delivers on the ‘dark’ part, maybe less so on the ‘comedy’ for long stretches. It’s more like an amoral character study. Colin Hanks is surprisingly good as this totally unassuming serial killer who suddenly wins the lottery. But Ari Graynor as Lucy? She’s a trip. Initially annoying, but then you see her logic (or lack thereof) and how she reacts to finding out her new rich husband’s secret, and it gets fascinatingly messed up. The scene where she first realizes what’s going on is particularly memorable and uncomfortable. It’s not a laugh-out-loud movie, but the sheer audacity of the premise and how the characters just *deal* with it kept me watching. It feels like it’s just… different. Not necessarily *great* in a traditional sense, but definitely unique and thought-provoking in its messed-up way. If you like really offbeat, ethically questionable stories, maybe give it a shot.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies with unconventional premises”
- “Viewers who appreciate independent films”
- “Those interested in satirical takes on crime and relationships”
- “Fans of Colin Hanks and Ari Graynor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Rated R for language, some violence, and brief sexuality”
- “Themes involving serial murder”
- “Amoral characters and situations”
- “May be disturbing to some viewers despite the comedic tone”
Professional Reviews
- IndieFilm Insights: “”Lucky” takes a big swing with its premise, mixing dark humor and romance with… well, serial murder. Colin Hanks and Ari Graynor are committed to their bizarre roles, giving performances that are compelling even when the script occasionally wanders. It’s definitely not for everyone, often feeling more uncomfortable than outright funny, but it earns points for trying something truly different.
- Cinema Scope: “Gil Cates Jr.’s ‘Lucky’ is a polarizing black comedy that revels in its amorality. While some may find the slow burn and quirky tone flat, others will appreciate the unique character dynamics and subtle subversion of genre tropes. The chemistry between Hanks and Graynor is key, navigating a relationship built on a foundation of cold cash and colder body counts. An acquired taste, certainly.
- Screen Daily: “Attempting to blend rom-com with serial killer narrative is ambitious, but ‘Lucky’ struggles to find a consistent rhythm. The dark humor is often muted, leaving long stretches feeling more awkward than comedic or tense. While the central performances are noteworthy, particularly Graynor’s portrayal of a calculating gold-digger, the film never quite achieves the biting satire it aims for.
Audience Reactions
Viewers are divided, finding it either refreshingly amoral or just plain dull.: Many appreciate the unique, dark premise and the performances from Colin Hanks and Ari Graynor, even if the characters are unlikable.
The film’s refusal to moralize or rely on tropes surprised some viewers.: The ending is often cited as a highlight, providing a fittingly strange conclusion.
Overall Consensus: A deeply divisive dark comedy that some find innovative and amoral, while others deem it slow, unfunny, and annoying. It’s a unique take on crime and relationships, appreciated most by those seeking something far outside the mainstream.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film premiered at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival.”
- “It was directed by Gil Cates Jr., son of the acclaimed director and producer Gil Cates.”
- “Despite the dark subject matter, actors Colin Hanks and Ari Graynor reportedly developed good chemistry on set, which was crucial for the film’s dark romantic comedy tone.”
- “The movie was filmed primarily in and around Los Angeles, despite being set in a generic suburban environment.”
🖥️ How to Watch Lucky?
Discover where to watch ‘Lucky (2011)’. This dark comedy is typically available to rent or buy on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred service for current pricing and availability to stream or download the film.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Lucky, you might like these similar films:
- Mr. Right (2015): Features a similar premise of a woman falling for a seemingly ordinary man who turns out to have a very dangerous, secret life.
- The Voices (2014): A dark comedy/thriller centered around a man with psychological issues and dark tendencies, blending humor with disturbing elements.
- Grosse Pointe Blank (1997): A cult classic dark comedy featuring a professional assassin dealing with personal relationships and existential angst, blending crime elements with humor and romance.
- Cedar Rapids (2011): An independent comedy released in the same era, focusing on an ‘innocent’ protagonist navigating a wilder world, sharing a similar indie vibe and fish-out-of-water theme.
- Palm Springs (2020): While sci-fi, it’s a modern indie film that blends romantic comedy with an unexpected, dark, and complex central conceit, similar to how Lucky blends romance with crime/thriller.
🛒 Lucky Related Products
- Lucky (2011) Digital Purchase: Own the quirky, dark comedy ‘Lucky’ in digital format to stream or download instantly.
- Dark Comedy Film Collection (Various Titles): A curated collection of acclaimed and underground dark comedies, similar in tone to ‘Lucky’s’ unconventional approach.
- Novelty Iowa State Lottery Ticket T-Shirt: A fun tee featuring a design inspired by the Iowa State Lottery, central to the film’s plot.
- Crime Fiction / Dark Humor Book: A novel or collection of stories exploring themes of crime, luck, and unconventional morality with a dark humor twist.
🎧 Soundtrack
Lucky features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Crazy” – performed by Aimee Allen
- “Whatever Gets You By” – performed by The Features
- “Kissing the Day” – performed by Transcargo
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Lucky (2011) is a dark comedy about a mild-mannered accountant, Ben, who wins the $36 million lottery but harbors a secret: he’s a serial killer. His lifelong crush, Lucy, falls for him after he wins, only to discover his true nature, leading to a bizarre relationship as they try to navigate life, wealth, and a police investigation.
Lucky (2011) is primarily categorized as a dark comedy. While it involves elements of crime and thriller due to the serial killer plot, its tone, character dynamics, and approach to the subject matter lean heavily into black humor and satire rather than suspense.
The main cast of Lucky (2011) includes Colin Hanks as Ben Keller, Ari Graynor as Lucy St. Martin, Jeffrey Tambor as Detective Harold Waylon, and Ann-Margret as Pauline Keller (Ben’s mother).
Yes, in the movie Lucky (2011), Colin Hanks’ character, Ben Keller, is revealed to be a serial killer who wins the lottery. This becomes the central conflict of the story.
No, the movie Lucky (2011) is not based on a true story. It is a work of fiction combining elements of crime, dark comedy, and satire.
🔥 Bonus Content
Chori Chori Chupke Se | Lucky – No Time For Love | Salman Khan, Sneha Ulaal | Adnan Sami
Want to revisit that iconic romantic vibe from Lucky: No Time For Love? Check out the full video for ‘Chori Chori Chupke Se’ – it’s such a sweet song and really captures the mood of the film!
Jaan Meri Ja Rahi Sanam Lyrical Video | Lucky: No Time For Love | Udit N,Anuradha P| Salman K,Sneha
Feeling nostalgic for the emotional songs from Lucky: No Time For Love? Give ‘Jaan Meri Ja Rahi Sanam’ a listen with its lyrical video – perfect for singing along and feeling all the feels!
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