The Moonfall film is a 2022 science fiction disaster movie directed by Roland Emmerich. The plot follows two former astronauts and a conspiracy theorist who discover the Moon is a hollow, artificial megastructure and must team up to save Earth after a mysterious force knocks it out of orbit, sending it on a collision course with our planet.
Have you ever gazed at the moon and wondered what secrets it holds? What if those secrets weren’t just ancient history, but a threat to all life on Earth? Director Roland Emmerich, the king of disaster epics, tackles these questions in his sci-fi spectacle, Moonfall. The film swings for the fences, promising a cosmic adventure where humanity’s fate hangs by a lunar thread. But did it stick the landing, or crash and burn like a rogue asteroid?
Whether you’re curious about the film or have heard about its divisive reputation, you’re in the right place. Our comprehensive moonfall review dissects every asteroid-dodging, gravity-defying moment. We break down the plot, introduce the cast, and explain the real reasons behind its less-than-stellar moonfall rating. We also explore why many Critics savaged Moonfall and why it ultimately faced such a challenging reception.
From its baffling scientific inaccuracies to a truly mind-bending ending, we are leaving no crater unturned. So, buckle up. Before diving into our critical analysis, let’s first get a clear picture of what Moonfall is all about.
What is the Film Moonfall About?
Core Plot Synopsis
Ever wondered what would happen if our Moon decided to go rogue? The Moonfall film answers that question with a thrilling, over-the-top disaster scenario. This sci-fi action movie, directed by Roland Emmerich, is a true spectacle. It begins when a mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit, sending it on a collision course with Earth. With the clock ticking for humanity’s survival, the world descends into chaos as gravity waves trigger widespread destruction, ravaging the planet with earthquakes and tsunamis.
The plot then focuses on an unlikely trio of heroes who must embark on a desperate mission to save civilization. They discover a shocking secret: the Moon is not a natural satellite but a colossal megastructure. Deep within it lies an ancient, malevolent alien entity responsible for its destructive new path. To prevent a global catastrophe, the team must navigate treacherous challenges and reactivate the Moon’s core. The movie Moonfall truly delivers on its epic premise [1].
Key Characters and Cast
The Moonfall movie boasts a solid cast that brings these larger-than-life characters to life. Each plays a crucial role in humanity’s last stand. Here are the main players:
- Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson): A disgraced former NASA astronaut haunted by a past space shuttle accident. Harper is one of the few who believes in the Moon’s true nature, and his conviction makes him instrumental in the mission.
- Jo Fowler (Halle Berry): A brilliant NASA executive and former astronaut who once served alongside Harper. She leads the charge to counter the lunar threat, and her scientific acumen proves vital when she becomes the interim director of NASA.
- K.C. Houseman (John Bradley): An eccentric conspiracy theorist obsessed with the Moon’s artificial origins. While initially a fringe character, his theories prove disturbingly accurate, making his knowledge invaluable.
- Sonny Harper (Charlie Plummer): Brian Harper’s rebellious teenage son, who struggles with his father’s reputation while facing the impending doom on Earth.
- Michelle (Kelly Yu): A Chinese exchange student and close friend of Sonny who navigates the chaos on Earth alongside him.
- General Zeke (Donald Sutherland): A high-ranking military official who represents the skeptical establishment and plays a role in the government’s response.
These characters, from the seasoned professionals to the quirky outlier, must put aside their differences, as their combined efforts are humanity’s only hope. The ensemble cast effectively conveys the urgency of their predicament in this thrilling Moonfall review.
Why did Moonfall get bad reviews?
Critical Response & Ratings (Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb)
The reception for Moonfall was overwhelmingly negative. Both critics and audiences found the action-packed disaster movie difficult to connect with, struggling to find its footing among viewers.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a “Rotten” score of just 35% based on 215 critic reviews [2]. The audience score was only slightly better at 49% [2]. Similarly, the average rating on IMDb was a lukewarm 5.1 out of 10 stars [3]. These low figures indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the film.
Reviewers pointed to several core issues, arguing that the film’s ambitious premise failed to translate into a cohesive or enjoyable viewing experience. This failure to deliver contributed heavily to the film’s negative perception and poor ratings.
Common Criticisms: Script and Dialogue
One of the most frequent criticisms leveled against Moonfall concerned its script and dialogue, which many described as clunky and uninspired. Characters often delivered exposition-heavy lines that explained the plot rather than allowing it to unfold naturally. For instance, key scientific concepts were introduced with little nuance or subtlety.
Moreover, the dialogue often felt forced and overly dramatic, struggling to create a genuine emotional connection with the audience. The unrealistic character interactions made it difficult for viewers to invest in their plight. In addition, the script’s attempts at humor frequently fell flat, creating awkward moments instead of providing comic relief.
The narrative’s pacing also received scrutiny, with some plot points feeling rushed while others dragged on unnecessarily. Ultimately, the consensus was that the script failed to live up to the film’s spectacular visual ambition, significantly hampering the overall viewing experience.
Scientific Inaccuracies in Moonfall
For a science fiction disaster movie, Moonfall took considerable liberties with scientific fact, which became a major point of contention for viewers. While director Roland Emmerich’s films are known for spectacle over scientific reality, many felt this movie pushed the boundaries too far.
Several major scientific issues stood out:
- Gravity’s Effects: The film depicts massive gravitational anomalies as the Moon approaches Earth, but the scale of these effects was often exaggerated and inconsistent. In reality, tidal forces would be devastating long before the Moon reached such proximity.
- The Moon’s Interior: The central premise reveals the Moon is a hollow, artificial megastructure, not a natural celestial body. This concept, while intriguing for sci-fi, directly contradicts all known astronomical and geological data about our Moon.
- Atmosphere and Space Travel: The ease with which characters travel into space and navigate orbital mechanics frequently defied the laws of physics. Key factors like fuel requirements and structural integrity were largely ignored for convenience.
- Sound in Space: As with many sci-fi films, Moonfall featured prominent sound effects in the vacuum of space, which is scientifically impossible as sound requires a medium through which to travel.
As a result, this blatant disregard for scientific principles pulled many viewers out of the experience, making it harder to suspend disbelief. While Moonfall aimed for blockbuster entertainment, the constant factual errors undermined its credibility, even within its own fantastical framework. This became a critical factor in its poor reception.
Why did Moonfall flop at the box office?
Budget vs. Box Office Performance
Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall arrived with high expectations, promising his signature brand of spectacular disaster. However, the box office numbers quickly painted a different picture.
The film commanded a massive production budget, estimated between $138–146 million [1]. To be profitable, a film with such a hefty price tag requires a substantial box office haul.
Despite its ambitious scope, Moonfall struggled to attract audiences. Its worldwide box office gross was a mere $60.8 million [4], a figure that barely scratches the surface of its production expenses. When factoring in marketing and distribution costs, the financial losses become even more pronounced. In short, the film was a significant box office flop.
This stark contrast is clear in the numbers:
| Category | Figure (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $138–146 Million |
| Worldwide Gross | $60.8 Million |
The massive gap between cost and revenue highlights the film’s financial failure. Indeed, Moonfall became one of the biggest box office disappointments of the year.
Marketing and Competition
Several factors beyond the film’s critical reception contributed to its poor performance. For Moonfall, a challenging marketing landscape and fierce competition proved to be major hurdles.
First, the marketing push for Moonfall showcased its impressive visual effects and high-concept, apocalyptic premise. However, this may not have been enough to distinguish the film, as many viewers felt it tread familiar disaster movie territory. This sense of familiarity could have led to a lack of urgency to see it in theaters.
Furthermore, the film’s early February 2022 release date placed it in a highly competitive environment. It had to vie for audience attention against several other major releases, including:
- Jackass Forever: This comedy-stunt film opened strong, tapping into a different but equally dedicated fanbase [5].
- Death on the Nile: As a star-studded mystery, this film offered a distinct genre appeal [6].
- Spider-Man: No Way Home: Released in December 2021, this superhero juggernaut was still performing exceptionally well and continuing to dominate the box office [7].
Ultimately, the combination of a high budget, a familiar premise, and strong competition created an uphill battle. Moonfall struggled to find its audience, which sealed its unfortunate box office fate.
What did the ending of Moonfall mean?
What did the ending of Moonfall mean?
The Moonfall movie delivers a wild ride, with an ending that ties together numerous fantastical elements and reshapes our understanding of the cosmos. Let’s break down this thrilling climax.
Explaining the Final Act
The Moonfall film builds to an epic confrontation as Earth faces imminent destruction. With the Moon spiraling closer and raining down fragments, our heroes—Brian Harper, Jo Fowler, and K.C. Houseman—embark on a desperate mission. Piloting a salvaged space shuttle, their target is the Moon’s very core.
Inside, they discover an astonishing truth: the Moon is not a natural satellite but a colossal megastructure housing a white dwarf star at its center. The true antagonist is a hostile, sentient AI swarm that is attacking the Moon’s core, causing its erratic trajectory. The swarm’s goal is to extinguish all life within its reach.
Facing the relentless swarm, K.C. Houseman makes a pivotal and heartbreaking choice to sacrifice himself. He merges with the Moon’s central intelligence, a desperate act that ultimately defeats the swarm and stabilizes the Moon’s orbit. As a result, Earth is saved from annihilation, allowing Brian and Jo to return home as humanity breathes a collective sigh of relief.
What is the twist in Moonfall?
The biggest revelation in Moonfall is undoubtedly the Moon’s true origin. It’s not a celestial body but a “Mega-structure,” a Dyson Sphere-like ark constructed by ancient human ancestors. They built these “Moons” as a way to preserve life while fleeing a cosmic threat: a rogue AI known as the “sentient swarm” [8].
Here’s a deeper look at this incredible twist:
- Ancestral Origins: Our ancestors were an advanced civilization that lived on a world beyond Earth.
- AI Creation: They developed artificial intelligence, which eventually turned on its creators.
- Cosmic Escape: To survive, these ancestors created vast, moon-shaped vessels that acted as generational arks.
- Earth’s Moon: Our Moon is one such ark, sent to seed and protect new life while also serving as a weapon.
- K.C.’s Connection: K.C. Houseman’s unique genetic makeup allows him to interact with the Moon’s consciousness because his ancestors were the Moon’s original builders.
- The Merge: K.C. effectively becomes the Moon’s new consciousness by merging with its core AI, which allows him to repel the sentient swarm.
This twist completely redefines humanity’s place in the universe, hinting at a vast cosmic history and setting up a potential future narrative. The Moonfall review circuit often highlights this audacious plot point, a bold move even for a disaster movie.
Who is streaming the movie Moonfall?
Looking to watch the action-packed spectacle Moonfall? Figuring out where a movie is streaming can be a challenge, but we’re here to help. This guide will show you exactly where to find the sci-fi disaster film.
Is Moonfall on Netflix?
While Netflix is a common first stop for movie searches, Moonfall is generally not available on the platform in most regions. Streaming rights change often, so it’s always worth checking your local library. However, Netflix has not been the primary streaming home for Moonfall.
This means you’ll likely need to explore other platforms to rent, purchase, or stream Moonfall.
Where to Rent or Buy Moonfall
Fortunately, Moonfall is widely available on several other platforms. You can typically find the sci-fi adventure on various video-on-demand (VOD) services, which allow you to either rent or purchase the movie.
Common platforms where you can rent or buy Moonfall include:
- Amazon Prime Video: Typically available to rent or purchase.
- Apple TV (iTunes): A popular option for buying or renting movies like Moonfall.
- Google Play: Offers Moonfall for digital rental or purchase.
- YouTube Movies: You can typically rent or buy Moonfall directly through YouTube.
- Vudu: Another reliable VOD service where you can find Moonfall.
- Microsoft Store: For Xbox and Windows users, Moonfall is often available for purchase or rent here.
- Starz: As a Lionsgate film, Moonfall has been available with a Starz subscription in the past. It’s worth checking to see if it’s currently included. [9]
Keep in mind that availability can vary by country. It’s always a good idea to check your preferred platform for the most current information on where to stream Moonfall.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Moonfall Film
Is Moonfall 2 coming out?
As of now, there has been no official announcement of a sequel to Moonfall. A primary reason is that the original film struggled significantly at the box office.
With a reported production budget of around $140 million, it only grossed about $69.7 million worldwide [source: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1700684801/]. Such a financial loss makes a sequel highly unlikely.
Although director Roland Emmerich has discussed ideas for a potential trilogy, the first film’s financial performance means a follow-up is not currently in active development.
Is Moonfall appropriate for 12 year olds?
Moonfall is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), which suggests some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 [source: https://www.filmratings.com/Search?filmTitle=Moonfall&x=0&y=0].
The reasons for its PG-13 rating include:
- Sci-Fi Violence and Action: The film contains intense disaster sequences, combat scenes, and depictions of destruction and peril on a global scale.
- Brief Strong Language: There is some profanity in the film, though it is not excessive.
- Thematic Elements: The plot involves existential threats and other intense situations that might be frightening or too complex for younger viewers.
Parents should consider these elements when deciding if the film is suitable for their 12-year-old. While some younger teens may handle the content well, others could find certain scenes too intense.
Was Moonfall a good movie?
Whether a film is “good” is subjective, but the critical reception for Moonfall was largely negative. Its review scores reflect this:
- On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 35% critical approval rating based on 239 reviews, with many critics citing its convoluted plot and cheesy dialogue [source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moonfall].
- Metacritic gave it a score of 41 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews” [source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/moonfall/].
Despite the poor reviews, audience reactions can differ. Viewers who enjoy over-the-top spectacle and grand, improbable sci-fi concepts may find Moonfall entertaining as a fun popcorn flick. In fact, some fans embrace it as a “so bad it’s good” type of movie.
What is the message of Moonfall?
While primarily an action film, the message of Moonfall explores several key themes. A central idea is humanity’s origin and purpose, suggesting our existence is not random but part of a grander, engineered cosmic narrative.
Furthermore, the film emphasizes the importance of:
- Cooperation and Sacrifice: Faced with an extinction-level event, characters from different backgrounds must work together and make ultimate sacrifices for the survival of humanity.
- Second Chances: The story gives its main characters, particularly Brian Harper, a chance at redemption as he overcomes past failures to become a hero.
- Questioning Reality: The film challenges what we believe to be true about our universe, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding with its wild theories.
Ultimately, Moonfall encourages viewers to look beyond the obvious and consider that a deeper, stranger truth may lie behind everything—even our own moon.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonfall
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moonfall
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5884796/
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1264879617/
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3701237761/
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2926017025/
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3975514625/
- https://collider.com/moonfall-ending-explained/
- https://www.starz.com/us/en/movies/moonfall-62507
