Laura Dern
Katherine Loewe
Lonely Planet
“Sometimes you have to get lost to be found.”
2024
1h 36m
Director: Susannah Grant
Overview
At an idyllic writers retreat in Morocco, a newly single novelist finds an unexpected connection with a younger man who's reevaluating his life choices.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Desert as a Mirror: What Lonely Planet Gets Right (and Wrong) About Loneliness
I’ve always thought of travel as a kind of alchemy—turning the lead of routine into the gold of revelation. Lonely Planet, Susannah Grant’s latest film, understands this impulse. It’s a movie that wants to believe in transformation, in the idea that a change of scenery can mend a broken heart or jumpstart a stalled life. The problem?
It doesn’t quite trust its own premise. Or, more precisely, it doesn’t trust its characters enough to let them wander without a map.
The film follows Katherine Loewe (Laura Dern), a novelist adrift after a breakup, who checks into a writers’ retreat in Morocco. There, she crosses paths with Owen Brophy (Liam Hemsworth), a younger man who’s also running from something—though what, exactly, remains frustratingly vague. Their connection is immediate, if not exactly electric, and the film spends the next 94 minutes oscillating between the quiet ache of two people trying to outrun their own thoughts and the occasional, jarring attempt to force that ache into the shape of a love story.
Morocco is the film’s greatest asset. The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character, one that hums with possibility. The camera lingers on the play of light across stucco walls, the labyrinthine alleys of Marrakech, the way the desert stretches endlessly under a sky so vast it makes you feel both insignificant and free.
There’s a moment early on where Katherine stands on a rooftop, the wind tugging at her hair, and for a second, you believe she might actually leave her old life behind. The film’s visual language is rich with these kinds of details—textures, colors, the way the heat seems to shimmer off the screen. It’s the kind of cinematography that makes you want to book a one-way ticket to North Africa, even if you know, deep down, that the place itself won’t fix what’s broken inside you.
That’s the tension at the heart of Lonely Planet: the gap between the transformative promise of travel and the stubborn persistence of the self. Katherine and Owen are both searching for something, but the film struggles to articulate what that something is. Is it love?
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A well-acted but uneven drama that struggles to balance its emotional weight with a meandering narrative."
Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth deliver compelling performances, grounding the film’s exploration of grief and connection. However, the story’s pacing and lack of clear direction leave many feeling underwhelmed, latestnetflix.com maintains, with some side characters feeling underdeveloped or unnecessary.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth are praised for their emotional depth and authenticity in their roles.
- Atmospheric cinematography The film’s visual style and tone are frequently highlighted as a standout aspect, adding richness to the storytelling.
- Thoughtful themes The exploration of loneliness and human connection resonates with viewers who appreciate introspective dramas.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Many find the film’s deliberate pace frustrating, with long stretches feeling uneventful or drawn out.
- Underdeveloped plot The narrative lacks focus, leaving key storylines unresolved or weakly executed.
- Weak supporting cast Side characters often feel shallow or underutilized, detracting from the film’s emotional impact.
Recommended for
Fans of character-driven dramas Laura Dern admirers Slow-burn indie film enthusiasts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsLaura Dern and Liam Hemsworth Star in Lonely Planet—A Drama That’s Dividing Audiences
Susannah Grant’s Lonely Planet (2024) arrived with a cast stacked with heavy hitters—Laura Dern, Liam Hemsworth, and rising star Diana Silvers—but early reactions suggest the film is as polarizing as its title implies. Clocking in at a tight 94 minutes, this drama-romance hybrid has sparked debate over its emotional weight, narrative choices, latestnetflix.com maintains, and whether it lives up to its A-list talent.
A Star-Studded Cast, But Mixed Reviews
Dern and Hemsworth, both known for their ability to anchor emotionally complex roles, lead a ensemble that includes Booksmart’s Diana Silvers, French-Algerian actress Rachida Brakni, and Danish actor Gustav Dyekjær Giese. Yet despite the pedigree, Lonely Planet has struggled to find its footing with critics and audiences alike. On SensCritique, the film holds a lukewarm 4.7/10 from nearly 300 votes, a score that suggests disappointment from viewers expecting more from Grant, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind Erin Brockovich 
.
Rotten Tomatoes, meanwhile, remains tight-lipped on its official critic and audience scores, leaving the film’s reception shrouded in mystery. The lack of early buzz—especially for a project with this caliber of talent—raises questions about whether Lonely Planet stumbled in its marketing or if the final cut simply didn’t land .
What’s the Story? (And Why the Secrecy?)
Details about the plot remain scarce, but the title itself—Lonely Planet—hints at themes of isolation, travel, or emotional displacement. Grant’s filmography (The 5th Wave, Unbelievable) leans toward character-driven narratives, so it’s likely Dern and Hemsworth’s roles explore personal or relational fractures. The international cast (including French, Danish, and North African actors) suggests a story with global dimensions, possibly following interconnected lives or a journey across borders.
Yet with no official synopsis or trailer widely available, speculation has filled the void. Rumors—unconfirmed—suggest the film may have undergone last-minute edits or struggled to find its tone, given the disparity between its star power and its underwhelming early ratings . If true, that could explain why the film hasn’t yet secured a major streaming or theatrical push in the U.S.
Behind the Scenes: Grant’s Gamble
Susannah Grant hasn’t directed a feature since 2017’s The 5th Wave, a YA adaptation that underperformed. Lonely Planet marks her return to the director’s chair, and the pressure was on to deliver something more mature. The film’s genre blend—drama and romance—positions it as a potential awards contender, but the tepid early response suggests it may have missed the mark.
One bright spot? The chemistry between Dern and Hemsworth, if the film’s promotional materials are any indication. Dern, fresh off her Emmy-winning turn in The White Lotus, and Hemsworth, who’s been selective with roles post-Furiosa, could have been a dynamic pairing. Whether their performances elevate the material—or if the script holds them back—remains a key question as more reviews trickle in.
**What’s Next for Lonely Planet?**
With no major festival premiere or wide release announced, the film’s future is uncertain. Its low profile could work in its favor if word-of-mouth improves, but for now, it’s a rare misfire for a cast this talented. If Grant’s past work is any indication, there may be more to the story than meets the eye—but audiences will have to seek it out to find out.
For now, Lonely Planet stands as a reminder that even star power and a respected director can’t guarantee success. Whether it’s a hidden gem or a forgettable detour, the film’s journey is far from over.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.