[Review] Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon
In Director Ana Lily Amirpour’s film Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, we’re floating through the bayou of Louisiana to a high security mental facility, taking in a young woman clad in a straight jacket. She’s quiet except for a sound that seems to be emanating from her. This sound stops, breaking its hold over the young woman. However, when a rather rude nurse comes into her room, we quickly realize that the girl is not as she seems. Once we see her ability to take control of the woman’s movements, it’s apparent that the young woman has a power, and she puts it to good and bloody use.
The title character Mona Lisa Lee (played by Jeong Jong-seo) escapes the facility and goes on a whirlwind of an adventure. She comes into contact with an interesting character named Fuzz (Ed Skrein) who seems incredibly creepy, but actually means her no real harm. Yet, when she meets a haphazard Bonnie (Kate Hudson), she sees an opportunity to make a new friend (if that’s what we can call it) in Mona. She uses Mona for her own selfish reasons, but Bonnie’s son Charlie (Evan Whitten) is vehemently against it and calls her out on it.
Mona Lisa doesn’t understand the world, as she had been in the facility for over a decade, and lacks real world experience because of this. She also doesn’t understand that her actions have consequences because she hasn’t had the chance to be out and grow. Even so, Officer Harold (Craig Robinson) stays on her tail as he begins tracking her after coming across her and getting acquainted with her telekinetic ability. And she more than makes up for the lack of living in her short time out and about in the streets of New Orleans.
With quips and a charming cast, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is a fun film with great musical selections, and an even greater bond built with the characters Charlie and Mona. You will become endeared to Mona, and root for her throughout the film, even if you’re not sure if she’s evil or not. But in her naïveté, you will come to adore her and the creative ways she uses her power.
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is available to stream.
