Moonlight
Movie, 2016, The 2010s, Set in Miami
Moonlight is #8 of 37 in release order and #8 of 37 in chronological order in the A24.
The story
The tender, heartbreaking story of a young man’s struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality.
Moonlight recap
Moonlight (2016) follows Chiron, a quiet Black boy growing up in Miami's Liberty City, across three chapters of his childhood, adolescence and adult life. Barry Jenkins directs, adapting Tarell Alvin McCraney's play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. As a child called Little (Alex Hibbert), Chiron is taken in by Juan (Mahershala Ali), a kind drug dealer, and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monáe), while his mother Paula (Naomie Harris) sinks into crack addiction, the drug Juan sells. As a teenager (Ashton Sanders), Chiron shares a kiss on the beach with his friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome), who is then pressured into beating him as part of a bully's hazing. Chiron smashes a chair over the bully's head and is arrested. As an adult called Black (Trevante Rhodes), he deals drugs in Atlanta, visits Paula in rehab, and drives to Miami after Kevin (André Holland) calls him. The film stands alone.
Moonlight ending explained
Moonlight ends with Chiron and Kevin at Kevin's apartment after a meal at the diner where Kevin cooks. Kevin has been to prison, has a young son and is content with a modest life; he plays Chiron the Barbara Lewis song Hello Stranger that made him think of him. Chiron admits that no one has touched him since their night on the beach years ago. Kevin holds him, and the last image is young Little standing on a beach at night, turning to look at the camera. The film won Best Picture, and Ali won Best Supporting Actor.
Post-credits scenes
No. Moonlight has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Moonlight
Moonlight is streaming on Netflix and YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 98%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Green Room, before 20th Century Women.
- Chronological order: after Green Room, before 20th Century Women.
Cast
- Trevante Rhodes as Black
- André Holland as Kevin
- Janelle Monáe as Teresa
- Ashton Sanders as Chiron
- Jharrel Jerome as Kevin Age 16
- Alex R. Hibbert as Little
- Jaden Piner as Kevin Age 9
- Naomie Harris as Paula
- Mahershala Ali as Juan
- Shariff Earp as Terrence
- Duan Sanderson as Azu
- Herman 'Caheei McGloun as Longshoreman
Directed by Barry Jenkins.