Half Light

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Matthew D Demi Moore delivers some of her strongest dramatic acting in Half Light! Director Craig Rosenberg’s romantic mystery thriller Half Light (2006) is quite beautiful with vast Scottish island vistas and the lovely Demi Moore dejected after the drowning death of her 5-year-old son. Rosenberg deftly blends romance, horror, mystery, drama, and thriller elements. His direction bears a maturity, elegance, and gentle sympathy for Demi’s heroine suffering from grief over her child’s untimely demise. It’s got an eerie and deeply romantic atmosphere, yet simply works by just following Demi Moore the entire time, so we’re always emotionally connected to her thriller novelist with a curious nature. Half Light is mesmerizing, passionate, mysterious, and melancholic. Writer Craig Rosenberg’s tender script feels thoughtful, ominous, and warm with a clear consideration for how his heroine feels, while also leaving clues and Red Herrings all over Half Light’s mysterious Scottish surroundings. I found it very romantic and affectionate with a delightfully earnest tone. Half Light is a strange combination of Ghost, Gaslight, The Sixth Sense, The Shining, The Lighthouse, Eye of the Needle, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Wicker Man, and What Lies Beneath. Editor Bill Murphy letting conversations flow gently and only cutting to smooth flashbacks or creepy imagery craft an unnerving tone that can still feel resonant. The montage comparisons to Demi Moore writing and her child playing are haunting. Half Light is a stunning film with many of cinematographer Ashley Rowe’s greatest close-up and medium shots just being the Scottish Isle winds blowing Demi Moore’s brunette hair all over the place to reveal her radiant hazel green eyes. The focus on hands typing, eyes locking into another’s, hair blowing everywhere, and waters ever splashing is enthralling. Demi Moore herself is impressive as grieving thriller author Rachel Carlson, who goes on a retreat to a Scottish cottage as she’s inconsolable and wracked with guilt over her son’s accidental drowning in the sorrowful opener. Moore is captivating as every moment hinges on her melancholy feeling real and deeply felt. Her sad expressions feel pensive like Rachel is always lost in thought. Demi Moore honestly delivers perhaps her strongest and most natural dramatic acting performance in Half Light. It’s instantly one of my favorite films of hers. She also looks effervescent throughout Half Light. Hans Matheson is very charming, intriguing, and handsome as the inviting lighthouse in Scotland named Angus McCulloch. He has amazing romantic chemistry with Demi Moore. Some of the nicest scenes are just them gazing into each other’s eyes or conversing as they walk around the isle. Henry Ian Cusick is loathsome as Demi’s jealous ex-husband Brian, full of greed and disdain for his former wife. Kate Isitt is fascinating as the insightful Sharon Winton. I found her quite compelling in her supporting scenes. James Cosmo is very friendly and warm as the welcoming Scottish Police Sergeant Finlay Murray. He’s just so nice to Demi Moore, that you’re immediately happy to see him appear again. Joanna Hole is great as Finlay’s pleasant, but skeptical wife Mary Murray. Michael Wilson’s curious and concerned Reverend James McMahon is a neat touch. I was really struck by the incredible soft lighting and shadow use for a random thriller that looks immaculate in comparison to modern movies. The serene wide shots of waves crashing onto quiet beaches and wind blowing fields of grass melt into a visual painting of tranquility for Half Light’s backdrop. Composer Brett Rosenberg’s film score is tremendously romantic with sweeping melodies of lush piano playing soaring across these lonesome Scottish fields. I kept thinking about The Piano score for a similar hauntingly dark romantic soundscape. Costume designer Ruth Myers provides warm sweaters and jackets for Demi Moore for a cozy aesthetic to Half Light. Makeup artists Erin Ayanian, Alison Rainey, and Gemma Waugh do really pretty natural looking looks for Demi. She really shines here. Demi Moore and Hans Matheson’s flowing hair looks astonishing by hairstylists Tara Smith and Gemma Waugh. In all, Half Light is a dreamy delight for 110 minutes with Demi Moore on an idyllic Scottish island. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Valerie K I actually enjoyed this movie. It has beautiful scenery, a nice soundtrack, and a good story with some plot twists. I've watched it several times now. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/15/24 Full Review exer c Nice music. Ok plot. Demi's Botox robbed her face of emotion which really showcased her terrible acting . Editing was terrible….yeah …..didn't care for it all. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review angela g The cast was good the acting was good the murder mystery story was good i enjoyed the movie the twist was good watch the movie Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Audience Member Demi Moore must have a thing for ghost stories. This one is much different than Ghost, different story entirely and more than one ghost, and it's a ghost story and a hoax story all in one. The premise is sound, Moore turns in another great performance, and at the end of the story there is a satisfying wonderment about where the story took us and where it left off. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member I could not even get past the sound track. And 15 min into it, it should have been in the 90's. Would have been better if they cast Michael J Fox and at least threw in a DeLorean or made him an up and comer that gets a job in the mailroom. I am not saying you should not watch this movie. I am saying...... Bad guys would use this to torture people to get information because it would work better than water boarding. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Half Light

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