Black Moon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl runs away from warring women, finds a weird farm with a talking unicorn and a breast-feeding granny, and basically becomes Alice in a very messed-up Wonderland.

🍿 Black Moon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escaping the Gender War

The film opens with Lily, a young woman, attempting to escape a brutal war between men and women. She drives through a desolate landscape, encountering stark violence and illustrating the extremity of the conflict. This sets the stage for her retreat into a more surreal and isolated environment, highlighting the breakdown of societal norms and the need for escape.

Arrival at the Farmhouse

Lily finds refuge at a remote farmhouse, which becomes the central location for the rest of the film. Here, she encounters a strange family consisting of an old woman, a silent brother and sister both named Lily, and a group of naked children. The farmhouse is filled with animals, including a talking unicorn, adding to the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. The narrative shifts from a war-torn reality to a more internal, symbolic landscape.

Life in a Surreal World

Life at the farmhouse is unconventional and dreamlike. The old woman communicates via radio and engages with a large rat. The brother and sister perform mundane tasks in silence. The naked children roam freely, and the talking unicorn offers cryptic advice. Lily navigates this bizarre environment, trying to understand her place within it. The film explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lily (Cathryn Harrison): A young girl fleeing a gender war who finds herself in a surreal and bizarre world at a remote farmhouse.
• Old Lady (Therese Giehse): An eccentric, bedridden old woman who communicates with animals and through her radio, exerting a strange influence over the farmhouse.
• Sister Lily (Alexandra Stewart): A silent and enigmatic woman who attends to the Old Lady and engages in unsettling rituals.
• Brother Lily (Joe Dallesandro): A mute and mysterious man who, along with his sister, cares for the Old Lady and inhabits the bizarre farmhouse.
• Unicorn (N/A): A talking, somewhat ungraceful unicorn that offers cryptic insights and interacts strangely with Lily.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lily: “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re not very graceful. In my books, unicorns are slim and white.” – Lily expresses her surprise at the unconventional appearance of the unicorn.
• Unicorn: “Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh. The most beautiful things in the world, are the most useless. Peacocks and lilies for instance.” – The unicorn responds to Lily, philosophizing about beauty and utility.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Black Moon Reviews

Personal Review

I remember feeling totally lost and confused the first time I saw Black Moon. It’s like stepping into a bizarre dream where nothing makes sense, but somehow, you’re drawn in. The unicorn speaking, the naked kids running around, and the old lady – it’s all so strange, but in a fascinating way. I found it really unsettling but thought provoking. It stuck with me for days.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of surrealist cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in experimental films”
  • “Those who enjoy dreamlike narratives”
  • “Admirers of Louis Malle’s work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Surreal and disturbing imagery”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Violence”
  • “Thematic elements of war and apocalypse”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “This dark, surrealistic cinematic fairytale is revered as a cult movie for good reason. Its dreamlike quality and exploration of gender and identity make it a thought-provoking and visually stunning experience.
• Slant Magazine: “Black Moon is a surreal, and nightmarish allegory, that plays with themes of gender, sexuality, and alienation. Malle creates a disturbing atmosphere which makes the movie stick with the viewer long after it’s finished.

Audience Reactions

The visuals were unforgettable, creating a haunting and dreamlike atmosphere.: Viewers often praise the surreal imagery, making the film a unique and memorable viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: Black Moon is a highly divisive film, praised for its surreal visuals and allegorical themes, while criticized for its lack of plot coherence and confusing narrative. A cult film that polarizes audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was partially filmed at director Louis Malle’s country home in Cahors, France, adding a personal touch to the surreal setting.”
• “Joyce Buñuel, Luis Buñuel’s daughter-in-law, collaborated on the screenplay, hinting at the film’s surrealist influences.”
• “Sven Nykvist, Ingmar Bergman’s renowned cinematographer, was responsible for the film’s lush and dreamlike visual style.”

🖥️ How to Watch Black Moon?

Currently, ‘Black Moon’ is difficult to find on major streaming platforms. Keep an eye on services like Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, and Shudder, as films like this sometimes appear on those known for art-house cinema. You may also be able to find it available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV or Google Play Movies, but availability can vary by region. Checking physical media retailers for DVD or Blu-ray copies might be another option.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Black Moon, you might like these similar films:

• Alice (1988): Similar surreal and dreamlike journey into an altered reality, inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
• Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970): Shares a similar atmosphere of surrealism and coming-of-age themes explored through dreamlike imagery.
• Eraserhead (1977): Known for its bizarre and unsettling imagery and surreal narrative, appealing to fans of experimental cinema.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Blends fantasy with dark reality and features a young girl escaping into a surreal world.

🛒 Black Moon Related Products

• Surrealist Film Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of surrealist films including movies like Eraserhead and Un Chien Andalou, perfect for fans of Black Moon’s bizarre and dreamlike style. See the influences and explore similar cinematic experiences.
• Alice in Wonderland Limited Edition Art Print: A beautifully crafted art print featuring scenes from Alice in Wonderland, capturing the whimsical and surreal nature of the story. Great for fans who enjoy Black Moon’s similarities to Carroll’s work.
• David Lynch’s Eraserhead [Blu-ray]: If you love films with a surreal and dreamlike mood, David Lynch’s Eraserhead should be on your shelf. The experience can be a bit disturbing but is sure to leave a mark on you.
• Unicorn Plushie – Fantasy Stuffed Animal: A cute and cuddly unicorn plushie to remind you of Black Moon’s strange and wonderful creatures. Makes a great gift for fans of surreal cinema and fantasy.

🎧 Soundtrack

Black Moon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tristan und Isolde, act 2” – performed by Richard Wagner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lunar Moon shot down by Air Force

Ever wondered what would happen if the Air Force took down Majora’s Mask moon? This hilarious VFX short answers that question in a completely absurd but visually impressive way. Trust me, it’s a fun minute!

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