Written by: Kevin Berge
This movie wants you to know literally nothing about it from its poster beyond its dramatic angst. (Image Courtesy of: heavenofhorror.com)
Quick Take: In the Shadow of the Moon may be inconsistent in its excitement, but it is truly consistent in its time-bending story. Boyd Holbrook carries the experience as the story moves forward, revealing more layers along the way.
***This review will not contain spoilers beyond the basic set-up of the story, but it will loosely refer to key twists in the story that can be best experienced clean. If you know you want to watch this movie and have not, do not read past this point until you do.***
Time is a funny thing. The more we explore what it truly means, the less we genuinely understand it. Entertainment that explores the way time can be manipulated is often inherently uneven. It's hard to conceptualize moving any way in time but forward.
In the Shadow of the Moon does not land completely with its own exploration of time, but it has a fascinating and emotional throughline that makes it more than worth watching.
This story follows police officer Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook) as he tries to find the source of a strange series of murders by a hooded woman (Cleopatra Coleman), certain despite what his brother-in-law Detective Holt (Michael C. Hall) says that she is coming from the future.
This film moves in stages, spanning years of time, while trying to keep a cohesive understanding of Lockhart's mental state. It feels like it could be a limited series or even a TV series with how much it tries to explore.
The main issue is that it is hard to get invested in other characters throughout. Lockhart's partner Winston Maddox (Bokeem Woodbine) barely gets a chance to sell his personality, and Lockheart's relationship with his daughter Amy (Quincy Kirkwood and Sarah Dugdale) never get the time it rightfully needs.
However, its ultimate point is memorable. This is a tale of perspective where Lockhart is a part of this story in a way he struggles to understand. He sees more than others, but he cannot fully comprehend.
Time is a funny thing. The more we explore what it truly means, the less we genuinely understand it. Entertainment that explores the way time can be manipulated is often inherently uneven. It's hard to conceptualize moving any way in time but forward.
In the Shadow of the Moon does not land completely with its own exploration of time, but it has a fascinating and emotional throughline that makes it more than worth watching.
This story follows police officer Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook) as he tries to find the source of a strange series of murders by a hooded woman (Cleopatra Coleman), certain despite what his brother-in-law Detective Holt (Michael C. Hall) says that she is coming from the future.
This film moves in stages, spanning years of time, while trying to keep a cohesive understanding of Lockhart's mental state. It feels like it could be a limited series or even a TV series with how much it tries to explore.
The main issue is that it is hard to get invested in other characters throughout. Lockhart's partner Winston Maddox (Bokeem Woodbine) barely gets a chance to sell his personality, and Lockheart's relationship with his daughter Amy (Quincy Kirkwood and Sarah Dugdale) never get the time it rightfully needs.
However, its ultimate point is memorable. This is a tale of perspective where Lockhart is a part of this story in a way he struggles to understand. He sees more than others, but he cannot fully comprehend.
Everyone thought Dexter became a lumberjack, but this clearly shows he become a detective, leading into the new limited series follow-up. (Image Courtesy of: nytimes.com)
Love is difficult. It takes understand beyond understanding. We have to see beyond what is in front of us, and even at our best, we can still suffer and lose that love. There is nothing harder than accepting that loss and moving beyond.
Throughout this film, Lockhart cannot get past what he has seen. He loses so much. He loses many that he loves while he lets the others disappear into the background of his thoughts until it is too late.
In the Shadow of the Moon punishing him for being so narrowly focused, even if he is right about things no one else can accept. He loses his mind and compassion along the way. When he realizes how much he has truly lost, it hits even harder all at once.
The climax of this film is emotional and intense because it takes a turn that wraps around to all that came before. It makes its time paradox feel cyclical. Thinking about how far it goes is frightening.
The movie is not overly smart or consistent. It has snags along the way. However, it is rare to find a film with such an intense punch at the end. It helps that Boyd Holbrook (Logan) is so capable in the role, carrying the flurry of emotions Lockhart cannot escape.
Director Jim Mickle (Stake Land) may be a primary culprit in the inconsistent nature of the movie. There's major ambition in the script by Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock (Limitless) that may also just be let down by the fact that it is more novel than movie.
I ultimately enjoyed this movie immensely. It falls into categories I will always enjoy as a science fiction time travel thriller that has a unique perspective. It is a great idea that ultimately comes out good, and I will take that given the emotional punch at the end.
Throughout this film, Lockhart cannot get past what he has seen. He loses so much. He loses many that he loves while he lets the others disappear into the background of his thoughts until it is too late.
In the Shadow of the Moon punishing him for being so narrowly focused, even if he is right about things no one else can accept. He loses his mind and compassion along the way. When he realizes how much he has truly lost, it hits even harder all at once.
The climax of this film is emotional and intense because it takes a turn that wraps around to all that came before. It makes its time paradox feel cyclical. Thinking about how far it goes is frightening.
The movie is not overly smart or consistent. It has snags along the way. However, it is rare to find a film with such an intense punch at the end. It helps that Boyd Holbrook (Logan) is so capable in the role, carrying the flurry of emotions Lockhart cannot escape.
Director Jim Mickle (Stake Land) may be a primary culprit in the inconsistent nature of the movie. There's major ambition in the script by Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock (Limitless) that may also just be let down by the fact that it is more novel than movie.
I ultimately enjoyed this movie immensely. It falls into categories I will always enjoy as a science fiction time travel thriller that has a unique perspective. It is a great idea that ultimately comes out good, and I will take that given the emotional punch at the end.
