Netflix dropped this absolute mindf*ck, In the Shadow of the Moon, in 2020. It wants you to think it’s about a serial killer. Well, it is, but it isn’t. Don’t worry, I’m not going to run any obvious spoilers here, but be warned that the film itself, a Netflix Original, is a little hard to talk about without giving the game away. But don’t worry, Mother of Movies has an In the Shadow of the Moon Explained section at the end that explains both the science and the film.
In the Shadow of the Moon Full Movie Trailer
How does In the Shadow of the Moon Start? (Plot)
A bus driver, a pianist, and a cook all begin bleeding suddenly from the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, then drop dead. Each scene is separate, but shown one after the other to ensure you know they are all happening relatively close to being at the same time.
A woman runs from the vicinity of the crimes, and we aren’t shown what she looks like. Then the story for In the Shadow of the Moon cuts to Locke and his wife in a small apartment. Locke (played by Boyd Holbrook) is a cop, and he’s about to be called in to attend the gruesome city scene.
Dexter (not really, but he’ll always be Dexter to me) arrives with a weird accent. I can’t help wanting this guy they’re referring to as Holt (because that’s his character’s name) to be the serial killer. Someone is melting people’s brains right out of their heads.
Cops and Cops
Cops and detectives get busy comparing notes, and the opening for In the Shadow of the Moon should be regarded as a success. The psychological thriller movie is exciting, has a familiar cast, and promises to be dramatic and ruthless if the first fifteen minutes are anything to go by.
But what about the rest of the film? You’ll have flashbacks of movies like 12 Monkeys. You’ll also check a few times whether this one is really a Netflix Original. I assure you it is. The political undertones in the narration will cause a divide among many. Because it rears its head in the final act, I’ve included a hidden spoiler section that includes an explanation for In the Shadow of the Moon at the end for my thoughts on this one. Hit the arrow, and it will pop down.
Not all the performances are on point. This is not Dexter’s best gig. That weird accent. He’s popped in and out of it from time to time. Other characters aren’t entirely convincing or as shiny as I would have liked, but they do the job decent enough to have it still be a compelling movie. I loved Rachel Keller, and with her star power, it’s a shame she didn’t have a bigger part. Keller plays the role of Locke’s wife, but many will know her from series like Fargo, Legion, and Society.
At Least Michael C. Hall is in it
Overall, though, if you like movies that walk like a duck and quack like a duck, then turn into an elephant in the room, I’m sure you’ll appreciate this one. If you’re someone who gets offended by everything, then steer well clear of this twisted serial killer movie.
I give In the Shadow of the Moon
3 drugs that melt your brain out of 5
In the Shadow of the Moon Explained
Spoiler section for what I thought of the Political undertone
Despite the story being heavily politically motivated, the narration seeks to answer an age-old question:
- “Can you fix the future by destroying the past?” or
- “Would you kill Hitler if you could?”
These scenarios have been around for a really long time. The political agenda inserted into the final act of the film, however, will either make you angry or cause you to think about the state of the world
Personally, I’m not sure I’m behind killing ideas to stop the cause of violence that hasn’t happened yet. But with movies like The Purge purporting vigilante justice and the wider audience going into this one thinking it’s a crime movie with a serial killer, some might forget that it’s still fiction based on an idea. Even if the story ventures into something akin to a Black Mirror episode, I’m sure many people will read a little too closely between the lines of this one. Maybe they can get it pulled as they did with The Hunt… I’m just saying, censorship is ridiculous in present times.
The Science Explained From In the Shadow Of The Moon
The scientific theory touted by Naveen Rao explained
Pĕr-ăgo (meaning to pass through) every 9 years, on the super moon, electric pockets are created which cause a bridge to be formed between the future and the past. During this blood moon, technology has advanced to allow for time travel at this time. And this, my friends, is the theory behind our mysterious serial killer
