In the Shadow of the Moon (4/5) – Netflix Movie Review

IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON is a new Netflix movie. It has elements of Sci-Fi, Crime, and Mystery and is definitely worth your time. Also, the story covers several decades and involves time travel. One of the best Netflix movies! Read our full In The Shadow of the Moon review here.

In the Shadow of the Moon is a new Netflix sci-fi mystery crime movie. I love plots that span over a long time (such as True Detective or IT) so this Netflix movie already has that going for it. The opening scene takes place in 2024 but then we go back to 1988 before moving forward with 9 year intervals.

Also, this movie is very much a Sci-Fi story since it involves time traveling. Personally, I think this is one of the best Netflix movies. It offers solid acting and a fascinating story (which is very relevant to our current climate). 

Read more in our full In the Shadow of the Moon review below.

A cast for the ages

The casting of In the Shadow of the Moon has to work in many ways. For one, all the actors need to play characters over a span of several decades.

Boyd Holbrook from the Netflix series Narcos and The Predator reboot plays the main protagonist, Locke. He starts out as a regular police officer in uniform, but moves on to becoming a detective. His partner is Maddow portrayed by Bokeem Woodbine (Overlord) and the two work really well together with great chemistry.

Also, we have Michael C. Hall from Dexter as their superior, Holt. Whenever Locke advances, Holt does as well. However, Holt is also the brother of Locke’s wife and does give his brother-in-law a lot more room than he’s allowed. All three actors work really well in terms of both aging 9 years a few times as the story progresses.

As the time-traveling serial killer in the blue hoodie, we have Cleopatra Coleman (Fear Clinic). To me, she is the scene stealer of In the Shadow of the Moon. Both due to the nature of her character – which means she’s killing people every nine years – and due to her overall presence. Most fans of Dexter will probably recognize her rationale in many ways.

Afterall, both are killing people for something they would consider the “greater good”.

Killing for the greater good

In many ways, the plot of In the Shadow of the Moon isn’t unlike that of Terminator. Someone travels back in time from the future to save the world. In other words, we kind of know that people are being killed to save the future. We just don’t know how these people are involved with anything potentially dangerous. 

However, we do get a lot of this explained before the actual ending since Locke (Boyd Holbrook) uncovers a lot of answers along the way. Also, the ending of In the Shadow of the Moon explains how sacrifice is an important ingredience. Not everyone can be saved and yes, seemingly innocent people have to die for the greater good.

Some people might dislike the ending for wrapping up the story so neatly. But honestly, those are probably the exact same people who are angry with endings that aren’t completely spelled for them – even when they actually are, as it was the case with the Netflix movies Open House and Mother. Oh well, you can’t win them all, but you can enjoy watching this Netflix sci-fi mystery.

The ending of In the Shadow of the Moon 

This isn’t some spoiler-filled “The ending of In the Shadow of the Moon explained” because quite frankly, it doesn’t need any further explanation. Unlike many other sci-fi or mystery movies, this one does a very good job of tying together all the lose ends.

The ending of In the Shadow of the Moon especially does its best to answer all the questions you’ve been sitting with (along with Locke). Also, through a narrator, we get the complete story told in a very rational way that almost makes it feel like a fairytale. Albeit a very dark and apocalyptic one.

Finally, you’ll probably guess who the time-traveling woman in the blue hooded jacket is before she explains it. Or at least have an inkling. Enough signs and foreshadowing is given along the way. Even if you don’t, it’s fine since all will be answered and revealed in due time.

Watch In the Shadow of the Moon on Netflix now

The director of In the Shadow of the Moon is Jim Mickle. He previously directed Stake Land (2010) and We Are What We Are (2013) which he also co-wrote. For this new Netflix movie, the screenplay was written by Gregory Weidman and Geoffrey Tock. The two also wrote for the Limitless series so they have experience with the crime hybrid storylines.

Netflix has had a lot of misses which has made “Netflix movie” a less than flattering term whereas their series tend to have been better. However, Netflix has also had some pretty awesome movies and In the Shadow of the Moon is definitely one of them.

If you love sci-fi, crime or mystery, then be sure to check out this new Netflix movie. And if you love all three genres, then you’re in for a real treat!

In the Shadow of the Moon is out on Netflix from September 27, 2019.

Details

Director: Jim Mickle
Writers: Gregory Weidman, Geoffrey Tock
Stars: Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Michael C. Hall, Bokeem Woodbine, Ryan Allen

Plot

In 1988, Philadelphia police officer Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook), hungry to become a detective, begins tracking a serial killer who mysteriously resurfaces every nine years. But when the killer’s crimes begin to defy all scientific explanation, Locke’s obsession with finding the truth threatens to destroy his career, his family, and possibly his sanity. Directed by Jim Mickle and also starring Michael C. Hall and Cleopatra Coleman, In the Shadow of the Moon is a genre-blending psychological thriller that examines the power of time, and how its passing can either bring us together or tear us apart.