Netflix’s Unrated Sci-Fi Thriller Goes Absolutely Mental
A perplexing mystery unfolds in Netflix’s 2019 sci-fi thriller, In the Shadow of the Moon, centering on a time-travelling serial killer who resurfaces every nine years. The film, described as an “absolute trip,” blends neo-noir elements with a complex, time-bending narrative reminiscent of True Detective Season 1.
A Nine-Year Cycle of Violence
The story follows Philadelphia rookie cop Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook) as he investigates a series of bizarre murders beginning in 1988. Victims are found with catastrophic brain hemorrhages and puncture wounds, bleeding from every orifice. The investigation takes a strange turn when a suspect, Cleopatra Coleman, predicts details of Thomas’s personal life – including the impending death of his pregnant wife, Jean (Rachel Keller) – before taking her own life.
As the years pass – 1997, 2006, and 2015 – the same pattern of killings reemerges every nine years. Thomas, haunted by the case, becomes increasingly obsessed, even as his colleagues, including partner Maddox (Bokeem Woodbine) and Lieutenant Holt (Michael C. Hall), dismiss the possibility of a connection through time travel. He leaves the force to work as a private investigator solely focused on solving the mystery.
The Question of the Killer’s Origin
The film leaves open the question of the killer’s true nature: is it an alien, a human from the future, or a manifestation of Thomas’s unraveling psyche? This ambiguity fuels the suspense and drives Thomas’s decades-long pursuit of answers.
While praised for its ambitious premise and Boyd Holbrook’s compelling performance, the film has received some criticism for its lack of period detail in the earlier timelines, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the 1988 and 1997 settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central mystery in In the Shadow of the Moon?
The central mystery revolves around a serial killer who appears every nine years, committing murders with a distinctive and gruesome method – causing victims to hemorrhage from every orifice.
Who plays the main character, Thomas Lockhart?
Boyd Holbrook plays Thomas Lockhart, the police officer who becomes obsessed with solving the case of the time-travelling killer.
What time periods does the film cover?
The film spans several decades, beginning in 1988 Philadelphia and continuing through 2024, revisiting the same pattern of killings every nine years.
Does the relentless pursuit of a seemingly impossible case ultimately lead to resolution, or does it consume the investigator entirely?