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Moon Garden

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2:18

Moon Garden

Released May 19, 2023

1h 33m

Fantasy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

When a little girl has a terrible accident and slips into a coma, she finds herself thrust into a darkly surreal industrial dreamworld. Haunted by a nightmarish spectre that feeds off her tears, she must follow her mother's radio-static voice to find her way back to consciousness. Shot on expired 35mm film stock with vintage rehoused lenses, MOON GARDEN is a fantastical odyssey and a visionary, handcrafted, and fully practical work of art that shows how a child can shine light even in the darkest places.

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Critics Consensus

If writer-director Ryan Stevens Harris' story is somewhat less compelling than his bizarrely transfixing visuals, Moon Garden remains a mind-bending achievement of dark DIY fantasy.

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Nick Allen

RogerEbert.com

A horror/fantasy that puts every bit of its imagination on the screen and constantly impresses with its DIY spectacle.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 19, 2023

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

New York Times

Initially, we’re repelled by the ’90s grunge video aesthetics. Later, we admire the power in these visceral expressions of traumas Emma will someday tell her therapist.

May 19, 2023

Full Review

Nadine Whitney

AWFJ.org

Ryan Stevens Harris has created a modern-day fable, a dark fairy tale, and a story about love and resilience that lingers with its sublime beauty and ominous terrors – terrors that can be banished by sunlight and the warmth of familial attention.

Jun 21, 2023

Full Review

Nathaniel Muir

AIPT

A darkly beautiful adventure that is part children’s adventure, part horror story. The setting and imagery make up for a story that is often put in the background. There is a degree of patience required, but those who love fantasy should check this out.

Jun 20, 2023

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

I disliked the experience—but again, many have found it enchanting.

Jun 12, 2023

Full Review

Bobby LePire

Film Threat

The lead is perfectly acted and written, and the visuals, from the effects to the cinematography and lighting, are immaculate.

Rated: 7.5/10

Jun 9, 2023

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John P

This film was an incredible journey through the imagination of a child , Emma, who’s traveling through her angels and demons to return from a coma due to a fall. She is brilliantly portrayed by Haven Lee Harris. The film is magical. Intriguing, engrossing and wildly imaginative. If you’re looking for a “different” film, Moon Garden is it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/23

Full Review

kae b

I can't say enough about how beautiful this movie was! I came on here immediately afterwards and created an account just so I could give it five stars. If you found the trailer at all compelling don't hesitate to watch this movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

dave d

Loved the premise, but hated the journey. Ryan Stevens Harris's film is brought together by a crisp final scene, but I wouldn't blame any viewer for losing interest. There isn't much good to say. It was like a Tim Burton low budget no script feature that should have been a short. Final Score: 2.1/10

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/23/23

Full Review

c b

This was great! Original movies still get made? Who knew? This is like finding an 80s movie gem you never saw! Its very well made and I've never seen anything like this. The effects and visuals are incredible! I also enjoyed the actors, all unknowns to me. I'd highly recommend this, it was a great suprise!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

Full Review

doe boi 9

How this movie with absolutely no chemistry or characters I could connect with, or care about. had such a high rating. is baffling.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

g j

Directing a young child actor is one of the most difficult things to do in cinema. Unfortunately the result here isn't compelling enough to compensate for how derivative the visuals of her character's dreamscape are. The result is surprisingly flat, lacklustre and devoid of strong emotional weight, despite an obviously vast effort to achieve otherwise. Maybe just watch Jan Svankmajer's Alice instead, it is orders of magnitude better in every regard.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

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Ryan Stevens Harris

Director

Augie Duke

Sara

Brionne Davis

Alex

Haven Lee Harris

Emma

Morgana Ignis

Teeth

Maria Olsen

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Moon Garden: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a little girl has a terrible accident and slips into a coma, she finds herself thrust into a darkly surreal industrial dreamworld. Haunted by a nightmarish spectre that feeds off her tears, she must follow her mother's radio-static voice to find her way back to consciousness. Shot on expired 35mm film stock with vintage rehoused lenses, MOON GARDEN is a fantastical odyssey and a visionary, handcrafted, and fully practical work of art that shows how a child can shine light even in the darkest places.

Director: Ryan Stevens Harris
Producer: John Michael Elfers
Screenwriter: Ryan Stevens Harris
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: Fire Trial Films
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 2023, Limited
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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