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Action adventure film

Moonfall (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Moonfall (2022) movie poster

Moonfall is a 2022 action adventure film directed by Roland Emmerich, starring Patrick Wilson as Brian Harper, Charlie Plummer and Halle Berry. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $67.3 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. Critics gave it 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
35%
worldwide gross
$67.3M
Echo Score
51
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Moonfall (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Roland Emmerich
Original language
English
Budget
$150M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Moonfall About?

The premise of Moonfall without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A catastrophic event sends the Moon hurtling towards Earth, threatening the planet with destruction. NASA executive Jo Fowler enlists the help of ex-astronaut Brian Harper and conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman to confront the crisis. They embark on a risky mission into space, leaving behind their families, to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Moon’s trajectory and the hidden truth behind this unprecedented event, all while racing against time to save humanity.

Moonfall Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • disaster film
  • moon
  • disaster
  • rocket
  • meteor strike
  • meteor shower
  • snow adventure
  • one word title
  • galaxy
  • earth
  • nasa
  • mission
+38 more
  • astronomer
  • space adventure
  • disaster action
  • astronaut
  • car chase
  • final battle
  • colorado
  • end of the world
  • tidal wave
  • conspiracy theory
  • boxer briefs
  • griffith observatory
  • los angeles california
  • flood
  • global disaster
  • artificial intelligence
  • megastructure
  • ancient alien
  • man wears underwear
  • outer space
  • space shuttle
  • space shuttle endeavour
  • fired from a job
  • house for sale
  • conspiracy theorist
  • swarm
  • cat
  • newspaper
  • can't swim
  • rocket launching
  • countdown
  • flight to the moon
  • gun
  • cell phone
  • mass destruction
  • satellite repair
  • year 2012
  • female astronaut
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Cast & crew

Moonfall Cast & Characters

Patrick Wilson leads the cast as Brian Harper, with Charlie Plummer as Sonny Harper and Halle Berry as Jocinda Fowler. Directed by Roland Emmerich; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Moonfall

· 10 more
Ratings

Moonfall Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Moonfall 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in rewatch factor (60) and weakest in story & flow (40).

51 /100

Moonfall Echo Score Breakdown

Moonfall delivers a roller‑coaster experience that swings between high‑octane spectacle and derivative disaster tropes. Critics and audiences alike acknowledge moments of visual excitement, yet repeatedly point to a cluttered narrative, uneven pacing, and thin character work that undermine its ambitions. While the film can be enjoyed as a guilty‑pleasure popcorn flick, its reliance on clichés and inconsistent execution limit lasting appeal. Consequently, the movie rests in the mixed‑mid range of overall quality.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Moonfall shows flashes of ambition but falls short of consistency. Reviewers note occasional impressive special effects and striking set pieces, yet many criticize shoddy CGI and uneven editing that disrupt the flow. The production design is praised for its scale, but the overall execution feels uneven. This mix of strengths and weaknesses yields a modest artistic rating.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character depth, the film largely relies on archetypal figures rather than nuanced performances. Critics highlight one‑dimensional relationships and predictable arcs, and users describe the protagonists as stereotypical and underdeveloped. A few reviewers acknowledge occasional compelling performances, but these are outweighed by the lack of emotional resonance. The net impression is a below‑average handling of character work.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The story of Moonfall is widely regarded as convoluted and cliché‑laden. Reviewers point to a plot that mixes familiar disaster motifs without fresh ideas, resulting in confusing exposition and rushed climax. Pacing is described as uneven, with sluggish early acts and frantic endings. While some find the absurd premise entertaining, the overall narrative cohesion is weak, placing the story score on the lower end.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience in Moonfall is a blend of high‑impact moments and technical flaws. Critics and users commend the film’s ambitious visual scale and occasional striking cinematography, yet many cite inconsistent CGI quality and a soundtrack that fails to elevate tension. Sound design receives little specific comment, suggesting it is serviceable but not standout. This balanced feedback results in a moderate sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch value for Moonfall leans toward the favorable side due to its sheer spectacle and occasional comedic charm. Reviewers acknowledge that, despite its flaws, the movie can serve as an entertaining guilty pleasure and offers enough action to merit a second viewing for fans of disaster cinema. However, narrative weaknesses and lack of depth limit its lasting appeal, yielding a slightly above‑average rewatch factor.

Plot

Moonfall Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Moonfall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2011, astronauts Brian Harper, played by Patrick Wilson, and Jocinda Fowler, portrayed by Halle Berry, along with newcomer Marcus, embark on a Space Shuttle mission aimed at repairing a satellite. Their mission takes a catastrophic turn when they are suddenly attacked by a mysterious entity known as the Black Swarm, which results in the death of Marcus and leaves Fowler incapacitated before Harper can safely return to the shuttle. Initially celebrated as a hero for successfully piloting the damaged spacecraft back to Earth despite having no functional onboard electronics, Harper’s attempts to share his harrowing story are disregarded by NASA. An extensive investigation spanning eighteen months ultimately places blame on human error, and Harper’s truth is met with skepticism.

Full summary

The whole story of Moonfall, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Moonfall Box Office & Budget

Moonfall grossed $67.3 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, 45% of what it cost. $19.1 million came from the US and Canada and $48.2 million (72%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$67.3M

45% of its budget back

US & Canada
$19.1M
International
$48.2M
Budget
$150M
US & Canada 28% Rest of the world 72%
Videos

Moonfall Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 3 clips and 1 featurette.

All 7 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Announcement Teaser
  • Clip First 5 Minutes Opening Scene
  • Clip Inside the Moon
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Moonfall?

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

Who are the main astronauts involved in the 2011 mission to repair the satellite?

Cars

Cars in Moonfall

25 cars on screen, including the AM General HMMWV M1025 and the 1980 Ford F-Series.

All 25 cars
  • AM General HMMWV M1025 in Moonfall AM General HMMWV M1025 Important role
  • 1980 Ford F-Series in Moonfall 1980 Ford F-Series Important role
  • 2022 Lexus NX in Moonfall 2022 Lexus NX Important role
  • AM General M-35 in Moonfall AM General M-35 Minor role
Details

Moonfall Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Moonfall: Mēness krišana” and “วันวิบัติ จันทร์ถล่มโลก”.

Also known as
  • Moonfall: Mēness krišana
  • วันวิบัติ จันทร์ถล่มโลก
  • 月球隕落
  • Moonfall: Ameaça Lunar
  • ムーンフォール:2022
  • 月球陨落
  • Падение Луны
  • 문폴
  • Pád Měsíce
  • Падіння Місяця
  • הספירה לאחור
  • Pad mjeseca
+10 more
  • Trăng Rơi
  • Moonfall: Η Σκοτεινή Πλευρά του Φεγγαριού
  • Месечев пад
  • سقوط القمر
  • Moonfall - Rota de Colisão
  • Лунна светлина, მთვარის ვარდნა
  • ムーンフォール
  • Moonfall: Mėnulio kritimas
  • سقوط ماه
  • Padec lune

Seen Moonfall?

FAQ

Moonfall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Moonfall, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Moonfall?

Moonfall runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was Moonfall released?

Moonfall was released on February 4, 2022.

Who directed Moonfall?

Moonfall was directed by Roland Emmerich.

More films by Roland Emmerich

Who is in the cast of Moonfall?

Moonfall stars Patrick Wilson as Brian Harper, Charlie Plummer as Sonny Harper and Halle Berry as Jocinda Fowler, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Moonfall make at the box office?

Moonfall grossed $67.3 million worldwide ($19.1 million domestic, $48.2 million international) on a budget of $150 million.

How is Moonfall rated?

Moonfall has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Moonfall have a post-credit scene?

No. Moonfall has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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