Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stylish fantasy thriller has profanity, bloody violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MONA LISA AND THE BLOOD MOON follows a patient who has escaped from an asylum and attempts to survive in New Orleans.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour's movies are typically small on plot but big on atmosphere, and this fantasy mystery-thriller is no exception. Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon revolves around a female central character with special powers that help as much as they do hinder her life. Jeon Jong-seo stars in a breakout role as Mona, a troubled girl on the run who finds herself trying to survive in New Orleans. This is the setup for a series of interconnected set pieces, all brought to life with vivid lighting, a pumping soundtrack, and larger-than-life supporting players. This includes Ed Skrein's drawling drug dealer Fuzz, Kate Hudson's opportunistic stripper Bonnie, and Craig Robinson's befuddled beat cop Officer Harold.
Amirpour and Jong-seo do a good job of keeping Mona passive but watchable, rarely saying much but always ready to impose herself. The filmmaker's aesthetic -- built around plenty of lingering close-ups and music that swirls around the action -- might be too stylized for some. But this isn't a movie with any ambitions to provide deep character studies. Instead its deadpan fun is created by playing with genres and audience expectations, while taking care to look good along the way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon's portrayal of mental health. How are some characters' attitudes toward Mona harmful to her and themselves? Why is it important that mental illness is portrayed sensitively in films?
Discuss some of the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the plot?
Talk about the violence in the movie. Did the fantasy and comedic elements reduce the impact? If so, why? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How was sex discussed and treated in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How did the movie depict drinking, smoking, and drug use? Were they glamorized? What were the consequences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 30, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2022
- Cast : Jeon Jong-Seo , Kate Hudson , Craig Robinson
- Director : Ana Lily Amirpour
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Saban Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, sexual material and some violence
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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