The Crescent is a psychological horror movie, released in 2017, that revolves around a mother and her young child who struggle to come to terms with the death of their husband/father. The movie is directed by Seth A. Smith and stars Danika Vandersteen, Woodrow Graves, and Terrance Murray, among others. The movie begins with a tragic incident where a man, the father of the child, dies while on vacation with his family. After the incident, the mother, Beth, played by Vandersteen, and her child, Lowen, played by Graves, travel to a remote coastal community in Nova Scotia. There, they stay in a large and eerie mansion that belongs to Beth's friend.
As the mother and child begin to settle into their new surroundings, Lowen starts to experience strange and disturbing occurrences. He develops an obsession with a peculiarly shaped crescent moon that he finds on the beach. This crescent moon, which he calls the 'moon-crank,' fuels his imagination and invokes his father's memory, leading to unusual dreams that blur the line between reality and fantasy.
Meanwhile, Beth struggles with her own demons, trying to come to terms with her loss while coping with the mounting tension and paranoia caused by her child's odd behavior. The mansion and its bizarre surroundings add to her feeling of unease, leading to a slow descent into madness.
Despite its slow pace, the movie creates a compelling and eerie atmosphere. The cinematography is breathtaking and masterfully executed to convey the sense of horror and mystery that the movie portrays. The visuals are accompanied by an excellent soundtrack that captures the movie's dark and desolate tone, enhancing the overall experience.
The acting performances are impressive, with Vandersteen delivering a compelling performance as the mother coming to terms with her loss, grief, and alienation. Graves, who plays the child, gives an outstanding performance for a young actor, bringing to life the character's frustration, confusion, and anxiety convincingly.
As the movie progresses, it becomes evident that the child's attachment to the moon-crank and the strange occurrences around it are clues to a more significant mystery at play. The movie explores themes of mental illness, supernatural phenomena, and the mystical connections between the physical and the metaphysical world. It is worth noting that although the movie does not have any explicit gore or jump-scares common in most horror movies, it still manages to create a lasting and chilling impression in the viewer's mind.
In conclusion, The Crescent is an engaging and impressive horror movie that delves into the complexities of loss, grief, and the supernatural. With its hauntingly beautiful visuals, excellent soundtrack, and compelling acting performances, the movie is a must-watch for horror movie enthusiasts who enjoy slow-burning horror movies that leave a lasting impression.
The Crescent is a 2017 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.
