Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘All the Moons’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘All the Moons’.
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Human begins, fear a great deal in life. For instance, we are terrified of living life alone, because we are fully aware of the fact that community and love and creating memories with those important people, adds great fulfillment to our lives. Plus, we also fear coming down with a major illness. For we are the commanders of our bodies and minds, and the thought of our bodies being invaded by a sickness that would allow for us to lose control of our faculties and mental functions, is a terrifying thought indeed. One that drives us to do whatever it takes to stay healthy and vibrant. But of the many things we fear in this life, there is one above all else that we all share in. Specifically… death.
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Because regardless of the fact that we know death is our biological purpose in life, the finality of it and what it robs us of, makes it a horrifying prospect. Which in turn motivates us to do whatever is necessary to obtain as much life as possible and of course, to make an impact on this world, so that we are remembered long after we go. But while we do indeed fear death and react accordingly, eventually the majority of us make peace with it. But what becomes of those who don’t make peace with it? How do they function in a world where death is an inevitability? Well, it just so happens that the answer to those questions is explored in a powerful new horror film on Shudder entitled, All the Moons.

Now in this particular film we are transported back to the 19th Century, at the end of a war and as it rages around an orphanage, we are introduced to a girl named Amaia, and she quickly finds herself in a difficult situation. For an explosion brings down the orphanage and critically wounds her, and in her dying moments… she begs for help from a stranger and receives a curse in return. For the stranger in question… is a vampire and she gifts Amaia with life eternal. But before she can learn about her new heritage and what it entails, she is separated from her new master and forced to forge a path of immortality alone. One that will allow for her to find immunity to sunlight and eventually… a family life. For an encounter with a lonesome and broken farmer, allows for her to live a life she’s never known… one that will never end, and that revelation will unsettle her soul in ways she never thought possible.

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Which is a plot that appears to be heavily grounded in old school horror. Since there is a familiar feel to Amaia’s plight. The kind that should see her struggle with her bloody brand of thirst and that should in turn lead to a story about the monsters we can become. But as Amaia comes to learn that she doesn’t have to kill humans and drink their blood to survive, the story quickly shifts gears and truly becomes a character study on what it means to be human and the importance of family and connection and going that route and watching her grow and try to live a life that deep down she knows she may never have, is what really gets the exploration of our fear of death underway. Because despite finding the peace she craves, there is one problem when it comes to her journey.
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In that, the people she loves and forms a connection with, eventually grow old and die. A reality that breaks her heart more often than she’d like. But it does help her to learn the importance of death and how it can help us to grow, and that motivates her to go to great heights to embrace it and find it. Whether or not she achieves that, we won’t spoil here. In part so you can experience that part of her journey for yourself, but more so because… we need to talk about the powerful message present here. Since Amaia’s journey in essence, walks us through how to not fear death and we do so, by outright embracing it. Because to do so… removes its power and encourages us to live in the moment and experience the wonder of life, so that we do meet our eventual end with joy our hearts and peace in our souls, and while some may see that as too simplistic a message to inject into a horror film, it’s the right answer to the questions posed earlier.

Because those who fear it and cower at its presence miss out on so much and never come to appreciate everything this world and its beauty have to offer and it is only when we let go that we truly understand the meaning of life and well, that makes this a beautiful horror film in the end. One that is visually as stunning as its message and for those hoping for gore and more than uplifting messages… have no fear. Because the gothic horror elements here and classic vampiric elements give this movie an eerie feel, one that keeps the viewer guessing as to what kind of vampire Amaia will become and there’s gore to be found when she needs to feed and that really is enough to satisfy the more classic horror hound and well, in the end, this is simply a must-see horror feature. Simply because it is unique and artistic and intelligent and if you’re ready to experience something fresh and original, then swing by Shudder and give All the Moons a look. You’ll be glad you did.

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