[Film Review] To the Moon (2021)

The complex (and often twisted) relationship between siblings has provided the tension for dozens of horror movies. A new edition to this subgenre is To the Moon (2021), written and directed by Scott Friend. Friend also stars in the film as Dennis, a man whose plan for a healing weekend getaway for himself and his wife Mia (Madeleine Morgenweck, who is also his real-life partner) takes a dark turn after his brother Roger (Will Brill) joins them.

As the couple settle in at Dennis and Roger's family cabin, a sadness hangs over them. The viewer quickly learns that Dennis is struggling in his career as an actor and trying to maintain his sobriety after a relapse; Coupled with this, Mia has experienced a miscarriage and a devastating injury that most likely ended her career as a figure skater. They're both in vulnerable positions, and adding an unstable element like Roger to the mix makes them even more so. 

The three stars of To the Moon form the points to a tense triangle as they spend time together in the family cabin. Younger brother Dennis is caught between what he knows about Roger, whom he describes as a "malevolent person" when they were younger, and the transcendent, New Age persona Roger is trying on for size. As he moves through his withdrawal, Dennis is plagued with guilt; he dreams that Roger tells him he is ruining Mia's life, then he dreams that Mia blames him for the miscarriage. 

Roger perfectly balances his new evolved way of being with passive-aggressive and manipulative behavior, constantly keeping both Dennis and the viewer uncertain about his true intentions. His first appearance in the film is startling -- he's dressed in a yellow jumpsuit, chanting in Aramaic and doing an unusual form of yoga in the yard. He shrewdly notices that Dennis is going through withdrawal, and he offers to fix him drinks made of what he calls "Benedictine berries," which he finds in the woods. But like many of Roger's actions, it's impossible to tell whether giving his younger brother this mysterious concoction is actually helpful or harmful. 

Mia's role is a large part of what makes To the Moon so effective as a psychological horror film. She's in a position many people can relate to: She's trying to be more of a peacemaker and mediator, unable to pick up on Roger's more alarming behavior because she doesn't know what Dennis knows about his past. She's more willing to give Roger a chance, which creates tension in her relationship with Dennis. While recovering from traumatic events, Mia is searching for something to believe in, and Roger is more than willing to take advantage of her need.

The triangulation between Dennis, Roger and Mia isn't the only thing that gives the movie its tension. To the Moon is atmospheric – from the muted colors that reflect the bleakness felt by Dennis and Mia, to the perfect set design that places viewers inside the isolated eighties-style wood cabin, it's impossible not to be drawn into the world that Friend has created. In this world, Dennis and Mia constantly teeter between letting their guard down around Roger, and being shocked by Roger's cruel comments and increasingly unhinged behavior, taking the viewer on an emotional roller coaster. 

To the Moon begins and ends with matching shots of a small peach moonstone pyramid in a sink, being washed clean by the dripping faucet. Peach moonstone is said to promote fertility, hope and healing. The pyramid appears frequently throughout the film, reminding us how much farther Mia and Dennis have to go on their healing journey – and making us fear just how much chaos Roger will bring into their lives.

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