A dark psychological thriller set on the Moon. It explores the power of secrets and the way they can rip families apart. This debut feature from Duncan Jones shows the scope of vision and depth he is capable of bringing to the world of sci-fi. It recalls classic stark sci-fi stations like in Alien and the computer GERTY is an obvious nod to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Plot Summary
Director Duncan Jones is a gifted filmmaker who knows how to frame his story with great cinematography. His camera captures the beautiful desolation of the moon and his score by Clint Mansell enhances the tension. Sam Rockwell is a solid actor and his performance in this film is noteworthy.
He plays an astronaut whose three-year contract mission at a lunar mining facility is almost over. He’s lonely and he misses his wife and young daughter, who communicate with him via videotaped messages. When he begins to suffer hallucinations, he believes he may have met a younger version of himself.
To the Moon has a slow-burn narrative that builds on the conflicting motives of its two main characters. There are some occult references in the yesmovies, which creates a spooky atmosphere. However, it fails to capitalize on its premise because the payoff isn’t satisfying enough.
Plot Synopsis
A great example of a future sci-fi that doesn’t devolve into alien-infested or score-settling lunacy, Moon is an emotional tale about isolation and loneliness in a space environment. Sam Rockwell stars as an astronaut who finds himself deteriorating in his three-year stint on the moon. He works for Lunar Industries harvesting Helium-3, a resource that may be Earth’s answer to its energy crisis.
The movie also features a terrific performance from the young Fei Fei (Bryce Taylor Hall), who believes that Chang’e, the goddess of the moon, still waits for her lover Houyi to come back home. She tries to persuade her aunties and grandma that Chang’e is real by making a mess on the table with food.
The film is notable for its use of practical effects, a welcome break from the overuse of digital effects in other recent science fiction films. The lunar base, the harvesters and the rovers were all built with miniatures by Bill Pearson who is a master at his craft.
Plot Details
The story of Moon revolves around a man who realizes in a very traumatic way that his entire life is based on a gigantic deception. This mind-expanding existential exploration is the debut film of first-time director Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie). He follows it up with the equally exciting and enigmatic Mute.
Sam Rockwell gives a tour de force performance in this sci-fi thriller. He plays an astronaut on a three-year contract harvesting Helium-3 from the lunar surface. He lives alone in a spartan, bleak space station with a computer named GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey).
For the first half of the movie, he does very little except for work and sleep. His isolation starts to take a toll on him, but he’s kept alive by his memories of home and by a steady stream of pre-recorded messages from his family back home. The enigma surrounding his real identity adds to the tension. The film is a sci-fi drama that will stay with you long after it’s finished.
Conclusion
Director Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie) proves to be a smart and capable first-time film maker with Moon. The depth and vision he has created with only a $5 million budget and a single set is remarkable. It is an indie film that will appeal to anyone who appreciates a cerebral and grown-up strand of sci-fi.
The story builds slowly and engrosses the audience. The characters are well-developed, and the relationships between them create a sense of dramatic tension. The movie also includes a great performance by Sam Rockwell, who plays the lone astronaut on the lunar station.
The film’s visual effects are amazing, and the eerie score by Clint Mansell is perfect for the setting. The use of color to establish the different settings is also effective. The only thing missing is a payoff that is as satisfying as the build-up. The film leaves the viewer with a few questions but still makes an impact.
