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In the Shadow of the Moon

Play trailer 2:11 Poster for In the Shadow of the Moon PG 2019 1h 55m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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59% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1988, a police officer is hungry to become a detective and begins tracking a serial killer who resurfaces every nine years. But when the killer's crimes defy all scientific explanation, the officer's obsession threatens to destroy everything.
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In the Shadow of the Moon

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Critics Consensus

In the Shadow of the Moon isn't always successful at balancing its assorted elements, but its struggles may be diverting enough to warrant a stream.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle In the Shadow of the Moon comes up short in regard to the human angle. Still, there's enough mystery to pull the plot through, and all the technical aspects of the made-for-Netlix film are top tier. Oct 4, 2019 Full Review Roxana Hadadi Pajiba In the Shadow of the Moon is inconsistently fascinating, often muddled, and totally ignorant of why time travel rules. Oct 4, 2019 Full Review Adam Graham Detroit News [W]hen you least expect it, "In the Shadow of the Moon" delivers a powerful message about the roots of hate and the dangers it poses to society. Don't let this one stay in the shadows for long. Rated: A Oct 3, 2019 Full Review Lonita Cook KCTV5 News at 9 This sincere and intriguing mystery is a fine whodunit. Sep 14, 2021 Full Review Prahlad Srihari Firstpost Its combination of buddy cop drama, serial killer whodunit, and time travel thriller does seem like the result of a mix-and-matching algorithm. Rated: 2/5 Jul 24, 2020 Full Review Amanda Greever The Daily Times (Tennessee) At some point, In the Shadow of the Moon just goes down a wormhole of politics and elaborate theories. It's not fun to watch, and when we finally get the big reveal of why the killer did what she did we don't care. Nov 27, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

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Marco L (CASTELLANO) Lo que más llama la atención de El lado siniestro de la luna es su capacidad para mezclar géneros sin miedo. Thriller policiaco, ciencia ficción, drama familiar y hasta pinceladas de terror se dan la mano en una trama que, aunque algo descontrolada, mantiene el interés casi todo el tiempo. La premisa es potente: un detective que se cruza cada cierto tiempo con un misterioso asesino cuyas apariciones desafían cualquier lógica. Esa idea inicial atrapa y empuja al espectador a seguir el juego, aunque el guion no siempre logre sostener tanta ambición. Hay momentos en los que la película parece querer abarcar más de lo que puede. Boyd Holbrook cumple en el papel principal, aunque en algunos tramos se echa en falta más carisma para conectar con su drama personal. Aun así, el reparto en general aporta lo necesario para mantener la historia a flote, con una puesta en escena cuidada que refuerza la atmósfera enrarecida. Visualmente ofrece buenas imágenes y sabe crear tensión, pero también cae en ciertos clichés del género que restan frescura. El ritmo es irregular: pasa de escenas intensas y retorcidas a otras más planas que frenan la emoción. En conjunto, El lado siniestro de la luna no es redonda, pero sí entretenida y curiosa. Una película imperfecta que arriesga, mezcla sin complejos y, aunque no siempre acierta, consigue dejar al espectador con la sensación de haber visto algo distinto. (ENGLISH) What stands out most about In the Shadow of the Moon is its fearless mix of genres. Police thriller, science fiction, family drama, and even hints of horror come together in a story that, while somewhat chaotic, keeps your attention for most of its runtime. The premise is strong: a detective who encounters a mysterious killer appearing every few years in ways that defy logic. That hook pulls the viewer in, even if the script can’t always sustain so much ambition. At times, the film feels like it’s trying to cover more than it can handle. Boyd Holbrook does an adequate job in the lead role, though at times he lacks the charisma needed to fully connect with his personal struggles. Still, the supporting cast provides enough weight to keep the story afloat, supported by solid production values that enhance its unsettling tone. Visually, it delivers striking imagery and moments of tension, but also leans on familiar clichés that lessen its freshness. The pacing is uneven: bursts of intensity are followed by slower stretches that sap some of the momentum. All in all, In the Shadow of the Moon isn’t flawless, but it’s entertaining and intriguing. An imperfect film that takes risks, blends genres freely, and, even when it stumbles, manages to leave you with the sense of having seen something different. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/23/25 Full Review Heath M Plot-holes, and fuzzy time-travel logic abound… If only I could travel back in time and not press "play" on Netflix. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/16/25 Full Review Tyson C. Watchable, if you don’t take it too seriously or expect too much. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/05/25 Full Review Aun M "In The Shadow of the Moon" starts with a premise so gripping it's impossible not to be hooked. The film masterfully builds a chilling and sensational mystery in its first act. The initial investigation is a highlight. The atmosphere is thick with paranoia, the kills are inventive, and the cat-and-mouse game feels fresh. The movie expertly blends genres, presenting itself as a sharp detective thriller with a supernatural twist. However, the film's major downfall arrives the moment the central mystery is explained. The revelation that this is a time-travel story becomes its greatest weakness, not its strength. The second half painfully prolongs the mystery long after the core concept is understood, becoming a repetitive cycle of waiting nine years for the next encounter. The tight detective narrative unravels into a convoluted and emotionally manipulative family drama that the plot logic simply cannot support. The most glaring issue is the massive plot hole at the heart of its time-travel logic: If the killer, Rya, was born in 2019, how can she appear as an adult in 1988 to meet her grandfather? This isn't a minor oversight; it's a fundamental flaw that breaks the entire narrative engine of the movie. "In The Shadow of the Moon" is the definition of a one-time watch. It is a film with a fantastic first half that completely squanders its potential in the second. The strong atmosphere, initial mystery, and solid acting are ultimately betrayed by a lazy approach to its own sci-fi elements and a critical failure to maintain its internal logic. It's a frustrating experience that provides a compelling setup but a deeply unsatisfactory payoff. Watch for the intrigue, but don't expect the pieces to come together in a way that makes sense. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/10/25 Full Review Rob H This is a brilliantly executed, twisting and turning thrill ride. If you favor the overthrow of the American government, you will probably be less entertained then I was by this gripping smorgasbord of a little crime drama, a little sci-fi, a little family drama, a little political commentary, a little struggling to cope with difficult life events, I could go on, but you get the idea. This is just rich, rich, rich, thanks to one of the most original screenplays I've ever enjoyed. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review Paul S This is one of the best crime movies I've ever seen. It had one of the most captivating stories I've ever seen in a movie, and it left me hooked from start to finish. I definitely recommend it for crime and sci-fi fans! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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In the Shadow of the Moon

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1988, a police officer is hungry to become a detective and begins tracking a serial killer who resurfaces every nine years. But when the killer's crimes defy all scientific explanation, the officer's obsession threatens to destroy everything.
Director
Jim Mickle
Producer
Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jim Mickle, Linda Moran, Ben Pugh
Screenwriter
Geoffrey Tock
Production Co
Netflix, Belladonna Productions LLC, 42, Automatik, Nightshade
Rating
PG (Mild Language|Incidental Smoking|Brief Violent Images)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 55m
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