Is Rising Moon Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2020, Rising Moon represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Family, Comedy, Drama category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Two brothers disagree about their mother heritage. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Family, Comedy, Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Two brothers disagree about their mother heritage. The older brother has a lot of children but no money, he is living in his mothers house in a small sea village with his wife and four children. The younger brother has no children but a lot of money. He is living in the city with his unsatisfied wife who desparetly wants a child but cannot. When the older brother wife unexpectly gets pregnant it appears like the perfect solution. The younger brother brings the older one a proposal to adopt the unborn child but instead the older brother can keep the heritage. The older brother and his wife accepts the proposal. When their youngest daughter discovers this she gets very disappointed and makes an effort to destroy the agreement. Soon she finds out that she is not alone in her actions, her newly dead grandmother is still around, ready to help her."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Elva Ósk Ólafsdóttir, the performance in Rising Moon feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Lýður Árnason is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 92 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Rising Moon truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Family, Comedy, Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Rising Moon explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2020 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Lýður Árnason respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Rising Moon is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Elva Ósk Ólafsdóttir or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Rising Moon is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.