The Light of the Moon
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Intimate, mature drama chronicles aftermath of a rape.
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The Light of the Moon
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What's the Story?
Brooklyn, New York, is the setting for THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. Bonnie (Stephanie Beatriz, best known for Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is an architect on the rise. Bonnie's in love with Matt (Michael David-Stahl), an ambitious young man who hasn't quite got his priorities straight. She's disappointed when he bows out of plans for an evening with friends. At a local club, drinking and partying are in high gear. Bonnie has had too much to drink when she and her friends say goodnight. She demurs when they want to walk her home. So she's vulnerable, oblivious, and high when a stranger grabs her on the dark city street, pulls her into an alley, and rapes her. Her resistance only makes him angry and he beats her. When he's gone, Bonnie makes her way back to her apartment. What follows are Bonnie's heartbreaking attempts to cope with the assault and its devastating effects on her life. Dealing with the medical, legal, and workplace challenges are significant, but nothing is as unsettling and scary as Bonnie's personal journey. Heightening the already fraught circumstances are Matt's loving but overprotective concern, a difficult relationship with her traditional Latino family, and the fact that Bonnie secretly feels ashamed of putting herself in harm's way. The young woman must call upon her inner strength and resourcefulness to find her way back to normalcy and a new awareness.
Is It Any Good?
A deeply affecting story, with a remarkable performance by Stephanie Beatriz, this film is compelling and insightful as it adeptly portrays a life-changing experience with honesty and compassion. Winner of multiple film festival awards, The Light of the Moon was written, directed, and edited by Australian filmmaker Jessica M. Thompson, who gets strong work from many of the featured players as well. Especially noteworthy are Michael David-Stahl and Conrad Ricamora. The production is solid throughout. Art direction, editing, and music are all first-rate with what must have been a minuscule budget. The message of the movie, about adversity and the long, slow road to recovery, is heartfelt and should resonate particularly with mature teens and young adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the filmmaker handled the sexuality in The Light of the Moon. Did the sex scenes ever feel gratuitous? How were they used to facilitate both character and story?
What is the meaning of the term "cautionary tale"? In what way or ways was this movie a cautionary tale? What were your takeaways about safety? About coping with adversity?
What character strengths were most essential for Bonnie's recovery? What character or life strengths did Matt exhibit that were significant? How did he show compassion, integrity, and empathy?
Why was it important for Bonnie to finally confide in her family and friends? How did keeping the real story a secret prevent her from fully healing? Have you ever noticed that keeping secrets sometimes makes things worse? Think of an example from your own life that may confirm this idea.
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 1, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: February 28, 2018
- Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael David-Stahl, Conrad Rica
- Director: Jessica M. Thompson
- Inclusion Information: Bisexual directors, Bisexual actors, Latinx actors
- Studio: Amazon
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy, Integrity, Perseverance
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 8, 2023
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