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Mystery thriller

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2022) movie poster

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is a 2022 mystery thriller directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, starring Craig Robinson as Officer Harold, Kate Hudson and Evan Whitten. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $123,508 worldwide. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
worldwide gross
$123.5K
Echo Score
70
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Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Fantasy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon About?

The premise of Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A struggling single mother finds herself unexpectedly partnered with a charismatic fugitive who possesses extraordinary powers. Recognizing an opportunity, they work together, but their scheme draws the attention of a relentless detective. As the detective investigates, the fragile relationship between the woman and the fugitive is tested, and the truth behind his abilities begins to surface, threatening to expose them both.

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • new orleans louisiana
  • strip club
  • single mother
  • mind control
  • astronomical object in title
  • supernatural thriller
  • escaped female mental patient
  • blood moon
  • mona lisa
  • heteronormativity
  • written by director
  • triple f rated
+38 more
  • korean
  • physical abuse
  • telepathic control
  • fistfight
  • fast food restaurant
  • extortion
  • robbery
  • friendship
  • korean american
  • straitjacket
  • full moon
  • louisiana bayou
  • schizophrenia
  • fortune cookie
  • bourbon street new orleans louisiana
  • pole dancer
  • channel surfing
  • bubble bath
  • gunshot wound
  • spirit possession
  • black magic
  • scam
  • atm robbery
  • korean woman
  • mother son relationship
  • laundromat
  • adolescent
  • 11 year old boy
  • young artist
  • handcuffs
  • chicken foot
  • man beats up woman
  • club doorman
  • retribution
  • street life
  • makeover
  • police hunt
  • fake id card
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Cast & crew

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Cast & Characters

Craig Robinson leads the cast as Officer Harold, with Kate Hudson as Bonnie Hunt and Evan Whitten as Charles 'Charlie' Hunt. Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Ana Lily Amirpour

More films directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, best-rated first: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Homemade, The Bad Batch and Hairy.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (45).

70 /100

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Echo Score Breakdown

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon delivers a stylish but uneven experience, with its visual flair offset by a thin narrative. Critics frequently note the film’s vivid color palette, neon‑saturated cinematography, and kinetic soundtrack, while audience comments echo appreciation for its mood and occasional strong performances. Conversely, many reviewers point to a meandering plot, limited character depth, and pacing issues that reduce engagement. The combined effect is a film that entertains in moments but struggles to sustain momentum, resulting in a moderate overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    ART: The film’s visual composition stands out as its core strength, featuring a neon‑rich color scheme and bold production design that evoke a graphic‑novel aesthetic. Critics repeatedly highlight the heightened sense of color, Day‑Glo lighting, and inventive cinematography, while users note the cool atmosphere and striking visuals. Even skeptics concede the aesthetic flair, though some find it distracting at times. Overall, the craftsmanship delivers a compelling sensory canvas.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    CHARACTER: Performances are uneven, with Kate Hudson receiving particular praise for injecting energy into a flawed narrative. Critics commend the strong personalities and occasional nuanced moments, yet many reviewers criticize over‑the‑top acting and lack of depth in supporting roles. User feedback mirrors this split, noting both Hudson’s compelling presence and the broader cast’s insufficient charisma. Consequently, character work provides occasional highlights but often falls short of fully engaging viewers.

  • Story & Flow 45

    STORY: The narrative premise blends supernatural elements with a gritty New Orleans backdrop, but its execution is often meandering. Critics acknowledge initial intrigue and occasional tension, yet note a loss of direction and uneven pacing that weaken coherence. Audience reactions echo these concerns, citing a trivial plot, undercooked themes, and unresolved questions that render the story forgettable. Overall, the storyline struggles to maintain focus and resonance.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    SENSORY: The film’s audio‑visual design is its most praised element, featuring a pulsating EDM‑infused soundtrack and striking neon lighting that reinforce its nocturnal mood. Critics repeatedly celebrate the “awesome music” and “Day‑Glo aesthetic,” while users highlight the cool atmosphere and memorable soundscape. Even detractors acknowledge the effective sensory immersion despite narrative flaws. Thus, the sensory experience consistently elevates the overall viewing impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    REWATCH: The film elicits modest repeat interest, with several critics noting its “cool vibe that lingers” and a desire to revisit its visual and musical world. Positive user comments describe satisfaction and a willingness to watch again, whereas many reviewers caution that the thin plot and unresolved narrative limit long‑term appeal. Consequently, the movie offers occasional rewatch value for fans of style, but broader audiences may not return.

Plot

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Plot Summary

What happens in Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Mona Lisa Lee finds herself trapped within the confines of a mental institution located near New Orleans. Having endured abusive treatment in silence, she unexpectedly taps into her telepathic abilities to devise an escape, causing harm to several staff members who attempt to restrain her. As she roams the desolate streets of New Orleans under the cover of darkness, she encounters a mix of strangers, some of whom exhibit hostile and menacing intentions. Her erratic behavior soon captures the attention of a police officer, Officer Harold, who seeks to bring her in. In a surprising turn of events, Mona employs her mental powers, prompting him to inadvertently shoot himself in the knee.

Full summary

The whole story of Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Box Office

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon grossed $123,508 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$123.5K

International
$123.5K
Videos

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Clip Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon Clip - I Don't Want To Go Back There!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where is Mona Lisa being held captive at the beginning of the movie?

Seen Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon?

FAQ

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon released?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon was released on September 30, 2022.

Who directed Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon was directed by Ana Lily Amirpour.

More films by Ana Lily Amirpour

Who is in the cast of Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon stars Craig Robinson as Officer Harold, Kate Hudson as Bonnie Hunt and Evan Whitten as Charles 'Charlie' Hunt, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon make at the box office?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon grossed $123,508 worldwide.

How is Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon rated?

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon have a post-credit scene?

No. Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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