If you’ve been reading my reviews, you’ve noticed I tend to focus my keen and critical eye on crime and horror films. As such, “Luce,“ a drama set around issues of race and class might stick out like a plucked eyeball in a bowl of Cheerios.

But, there is a bit of crime in the film. And if you look close enough, some horror as well.

The titular character, Luce, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., is an academically acclaimed and athletically gifted black senior at a high school in Arlington, Virginia. His past is complex. He was born in the African country of Eritrea where—though it’s never spelled out in great detail—he both saw and took part in violence. Eventually, he was adopted by a white liberal couple played by Naomi Watts and Tim Roth. On the surface, despite his traumatic beginnings, Luce seems to have grown into an all-American boy next door.

But that exterior cracks a bit when Luce is accused by a teacher of a few disturbing but not violent acts.

Now, this movie would’ve been much simpler (in the negative sense of being unwilling to embrace complexity) if that teacher were white. In fact, she is black, and excellently portrayed by Octavia Spencer. (If you haven’t seen her take as a horror villain in the movie “Mom” you should.)

The initially cold war between Luce and his teacher slowly heats up, and various accusations are made. The parents and the viewer are stuck in a situation of trying to figure out who’s telling the truth.

Now, “Luce“ keeps its cards very close to its chest. The film ends, and you still may not be sure exactly what happened. I ended up doing some Internet research, and, frankly, I can’t sign off on any single theory, but there’s definitely something very subtle and intriguing here. You may decide Luce is, in fact, guilty of what he’s accused of, but you start to understand his reasons. (I will say this: it’s key to pay attention to the dialogue during the scene that takes place at a car wash.)

This film had me thinking about it for days afterward. Highly recommended.