Closer to the Moon 2015

A group of hapless criminals hatch an audacious plan to rob a bank – they'll disguise their heist as a film shoot.  But when reality blurs with fiction, their scheme spirals into hilarious and unpredictable chaos.

A group of hapless criminals hatch an audacious plan to rob a bank – they'll disguise their heist as a film shoot. But when reality blurs with fiction, their scheme spirals into hilarious and unpredictable chaos.

Does Closer to the Moon have end credit scenes?

No!

Closer to the Moon does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Closer to the Moon

Explore the complete cast of Closer to the Moon, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for Closer to the Moon

See how Closer to the Moon is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Closer to the Moon stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

47

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

46%

TOMATOMETER

review

55%

User Score

TMDB

67

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Closer to the Moon Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Closer to the Moon with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Quiz on Closer to the Moon: Test your knowledge about the intricate plot and characters of 'Closer to the Moon'.

What is the main objective of the Ioanid Gang in the film?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Closer to the Moon

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Read the complete plot summary of Closer to the Moon, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the aftermath of a tumultuous post-war period in Communist Romania, a secretive assembly of high-society elites, known as the Ioanid Gang, gathers in the heart of Bucharest to unveil their ambitious film project. Among those present are Max Rosenthal (portrayed by Mark Strong), Alice Bercovich (played by Vera Farmiga), Dumi Dorneanu (Tim Plester), Răzvan Orodel (Joe Armstrong), and Iorgu Ristea (Christian McKay). Observing from the sidelines is Virgil, a young café employee with a knack for observation. Under the pretense of filmmaking, the Ioanid Gang orchestrates a daring heist aimed at the National Bank of Romania. The very next day, Virgil finds himself pulled onto a film set where he meets the director, Flaviu (Allan Corduner), who sends him on an errand to fetch vodka.

Flashback to eight months prior to the heist, we see celebrated figures of resistance during World War II—Max, Dumi, Iorgu, and Răzvan—gathering to welcome the year 1959. Max is grappling with the fallout from his impending divorce from Sonia, portrayed by Monica Bîrlădeanu, while Alice returns from Moscow, bringing their son, Mirel (Marcin Walewski), along. As she reintroduces Mirel to his father, a tender bond begins to blossom between them.

While celebrating Dumi’s birthday, the Ioanid Gang reminisces about their past revolutionary lives. In a moment of camaraderie, they craft plans for their heist, aiming to reignite anti-Communist sentiments in Romania. Although Alice initially declines to participate due to her responsibilities as a mother, she ultimately agrees when Mirel expresses a desire to join, becoming the fifth member of their unconventional crew.

As the heist unfolds, Alice’s anger ignites upon discovering that Mirel is filming the entire escapade. After a period of tranquility, Iorgu unwittingly draws attention to himself, thrusting the gang into the crosshairs of the authorities, led by Comrade Holban (Anton Lesser), who begins tracking down each member of the Ioanid Gang just as Luna 2 makes history with its lunar landing.

As Virgil takes on his responsibilities as an experienced camera assistant, he receives a call from his boss regarding the commencement of a short film production, which he has been assigned to. His role demands he capture every moment on camera, but as the layers of deception unfold, Virgil learns that this film serves a darker purpose: it’s a piece of propaganda orchestrated by the infamous Ioanid Gang. With the Securitate breathing down their necks, the gang members are coerced into participating in the film as part of a deal with the authorities.

Amidst this chaos, Alice finds herself forming a bond with Virgil, who harbors crucial information about the robbery that led to the Gang’s downfall. During a shoot, when Flaviu becomes inebriated and collapses, Max seizes the opportunity to discreetly convey important details to Virgil. The camera assistant is soon tasked with reaching out to the gang members’ families, a mission he embarks on with the aid of his landlord, Moritz (David de Keyser).

One fateful night, Virgil has an untimely visit from Holban, who is aware of his secretive support of the gang. Holban requests that Virgil help secure the gang’s trust further and asks him to find Alice’s missing son, the sixth member of their ensemble. Time is of the essence for the Ioanid Gang, and in a surprising turn during a hectic moment on set, Alice manages a bold escape.

Virgil trails her to a covert meeting with her son, culminating in an emotional farewell. Later, they reunite at Virgil’s home, where their connection deepens over a shared night together. However, the following morning, Alice turns herself in to the authorities, leaving behind sealed instructions for Virgil. With Holban temporarily sidelined by Max’s ex-brother-in-law (Darrell D’Silva), Alice’s letter unveils a shocking revelation: she had become pregnant at the last moment, resulting in her sentence being commuted to a lifetime in prison.

As Iorgu, Dumi, Răzvan, and Max face the grim reality of execution, the narrative takes a poignant twist. In a reflective voiceover, Alice shares her new life—a new beginning in Israel with her children, Mirel and her daughter, leaving behind the chaos of her past.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Closer to the Moon

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Closer to the Moon. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Cars Featured in Closer to the Moon

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Explore all cars featured in Closer to the Moon, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


ARO

1970

M-461 C

Ford

1937

V8

Ford

1948

V8 Pilot

GAZ

1950

M-12 ZIM

GAZ

1955

M-20V Pobeda

GAZ

1962

M-21 Volga

GAZ

1962

M-22 B Volga

Moskvitch

1958

407

Moskvitch

1962

407

Plymouth

1938

De Luxe

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


romanianpolice officeryear 1959bucharest romaniapost world war twobank heistcommunist occupation of romaniaarresttrialconvictionexecutionpropagandajewjewishromanian resistancedeceptionscene of the crimeromanian communist partycommunist partysentenced to deathexecution squadfake bank heistanti nazi resistance movementfreedomsoviet unionpartisansoviet armyromanian governmentromanian politics1950sbegins with textromanian historycommunist square bucharest romaniasidewalk cafechapter headingswaiterlooking out a windowmoneygangstercriminalmachine guntaxiapplausecigarette smokingvanwoman wears a gas maskcandlelighting a candlebolshevikcurse

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