What Is Moonwalkers About?
The premise of Moonwalkers in 327 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the fever‑dream haze of 1960s London, the city hums with a mixture of swinging mod culture, smoky jazz clubs, and a restless optimism that seems to promise the world’s next great triumph. Neon signs flicker over cobblestones, and the air is thick with both the roar of electric guitars and the whispered urgency of secret dossiers. It’s a place where the lines between fame and espionage blur, setting the perfect backdrop for an adventure that feels equally cinematic and clandestine.
Tom Kidman is a meticulous CIA operative sent across the Atlantic with a singular, high‑stakes assignment: ensure that America’s most symbolic victory in the Cold War is secured at any cost. He carries the weight of a nation’s pride on his shoulders, his precise training and methodical mind contrasting sharply with the chaotic rhythms of the world he’s about to enter. Though his demeanor is disciplined, an undercurrent of personal strain hints at a deeper, more fragile side.
Jonny Thorpe is a flamboyant music manager whose life revolves around loud stages, eccentric artists, and the relentless pursuit of the next big hit. He navigates the glittering yet cut‑throat entertainment industry with charm, audacity, and a knack for turning the ordinary into spectacle. His exuberant personality and unconventional approach to problem‑solving make him an unlikely partner for a government agent, yet his connections and creative instincts become essential to the plan that looms ahead.
When these two disparate worlds collide, they hatch an audacious scheme to stage a fake moon landing—a venture that promises to fuse the precision of intelligence work with the flamboyance of show business. The tone is unapologetically absurd, laced with dark humor and a sense of frantic urgency as the pair teeter between genius and disaster. Their partnership sets the stage for a wildly inventive caper, where every misstep feels both hilariously inevitable and oddly thrilling, leaving the audience eager to see how far the line between reality and performance can be stretched.
What Happens in Moonwalkers?
The complete story of Moonwalkers, from the first scene to the last, in 753 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In the critical days leading up to the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing, CIA agent Tom Kidman finds himself facing an extraordinary and clandestine mission. He is instructed to hire legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to create a fake moonwalk, preparing for the possibility that the astronauts might be unsuccessful in their groundbreaking endeavor. The CIA sees the Moon landing as a vital ideological victory over the Soviet Union, which they consider necessary to bolster American morale during this tense period.
Armed with a hefty sum of cash in a briefcase, Kidman is given orders to eliminate Kubrick following the completion of this assignment to prevent any leaks regarding their scheme. However, a significant twist complicates the mission when Kidman, unbeknownst to the CIA, is grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his harrowing experiences in Vietnam. As a result, he tends to react to frustration with extreme violence, setting the stage for chaotic encounters ahead.
Upon arriving in England, Kidman seeks out Kubrick’s agent but mistakenly ends up meeting his agent’s cousin, Jonny Thorpe, played by Rupert Grint. Jonny is a struggling band promoter who finds himself in debt to a menacing East End gangster known as the Iron Monger. Despite the mix-up, Jonny agrees to help arrange a meeting between Kidman and Kubrick, enlisting the help of his stoner roommate Leon (portrayed by Robert Sheehan), who is convinced to impersonate the famed director.
During their encounter, Jonny accepts the suitcase filled with cash, promising that the movie will indeed be produced. Mistakenly assuming that Kidman is a Hollywood producer, Jonny and Leon indulge in a financial spree before their world comes crashing down when the Iron Monger’s henchmen break into Jonny’s home, assault him, and abscond with the briefcase.
Realizing he was duped, Kidman becomes furious when he sees a news segment about Kubrick and confronts Jonny, who sheepishly admits to his deception. Seeing an opportunity to capitalize on this chaotic situation, Jonny claims that a friend of his named Renatus can fulfill the role of the director. Taken to Renatus’s commune-like mansion, the unsuspecting filmmaker believes he is merely embarking on an art project and accepts the task.
While this convoluted plan unfolds, a free-spirited hippie named Ella begins to catch Kidman’s eye, deepening the personal stakes in this already complex narrative. Determined to retrieve the stolen briefcase, Kidman recruits Jonny to confront the Iron Monger directly. In a shocking display, instead of negotiation, Kidman resorts to violence, resulting in a series of brutal confrontations where he dispatches several henchmen and recovers the briefcase.
As production gears up, chaos ensues when Renatus insists on turning the film into a performance art piece, confusing the already chaotic atmosphere further. In a misguided attempt to showcase his prowess against marijuana, Kidman takes a hit from a bong that ends up being laced with opium. In a bid to aid his recovery, Ella offers him LSD, inadvertently sending him on a disorienting bad trip. Amid this surreal experience, he confides in Ella and Leon that he no longer wishes to resolve his issues with violence. In a moment of clarity, he attempts to contact the CIA to update them on his status.
Alarmed by his erratic behavior, the CIA dispatches several agents to England, who then take the entire commune hostage to force them to shoot the fake Moon landing. In a manic turn of events, Jonny and Leon don astronaut suits for the shoot, but Leon—overwhelmed and nervous about being on camera—gets high and spirals into a trip on set, stumbling across the faux lunar surface.
Meanwhile, the Iron Monger appears, setting off a violent shootout with the CIA, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. In the midst of the gunfire, the fake footage is successfully broadcast to CIA headquarters. Suddenly, a determined Jonny rushes to protect Kidman from the Iron Monger but is tragically shot in the ensuing chaos. After dispatching the villain, Kidman reassures a shocked Jonny that his astronaut suit absorbed the bullet and falsely claims that Jonny’s quick action saved his life.
With the CIA now hunting them down, Jonny, Leon, Kidman, and Ella must flee England. A montage captures the essence of American life during the 1960s, culminating with the actual Apollo 11 Moon landing. As the group arrives in a Spanish bar, they find themselves witnessing the Moon landing alongside locals, leaving them in a state of uncertainty as to whether they are watching history unfold or merely the results of their own dubious filming efforts.
Moonwalkers Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “CIA's Secret Mission” to “Fleeing to Freedom”. 12 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
CIA's Secret Mission
In the days leading up to the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the CIA assigned agent Tom Kidman a crucial and morally ambiguous task. Kidman's objective was to hire filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to produce a staged moon landing in case the real astronauts failed in their mission, a strategy designed to safeguard American morale during the Cold War.
When:Pre-Moon landing
- 2
Bribing Stanley Kubrick
Armed with a suitcase full of cash from the CIA, Kidman travels to England to persuade Kubrick to take on the job. The stakes are high, as the CIA also orders Kidman to eliminate Kubrick once the task is complete to prevent any leaks about the deception.
Where:England
- 3
Mistaken Identity
Upon arriving in England, Kidman mistakenly meets Jonny Thorpe, Kubrick's agent's cousin, instead of the director himself. Desperate for a solution, Jonny exploits the opportunity and arranges a meeting with Kidman, leading to unforeseen chaos as they concoct their scheme.
Where:England
- 4
The Fake Meeting
Jonny introduces Kidman to Leon, his stoner roommate, who pretends to be Kubrick. Kidman, unbeknownst to the ruse, hands over the briefcase filled with cash, celebrating their success with extravagant spending, all while being tracked by the Iron Monger's shady henchmen.
Where:Jonny's House
- 5
Briefcase Heist
The excitement is short-lived as the Iron Monger's henchmen break into Jonny's home, brutally beating him and stealing the briefcase. Kidman realizes that he has been duped and that the meeting with 'Kubrick' was a complete illusion, prompting a fierce desire to track down the stolen money.
Where:Jonny's House
- 6
A New Plan Emerges
After confronting Jonny about the scheme, Kidman learns that a director named Renatus could actually produce the Moon landing film. Kidman is taken to Renatus’s commune-like mansion where creativity reigns, and Renatus eagerly agrees to participate, oblivious to the true nature of the project.
Where:Renatus's Mansion
- 7
Retrieving the Money
Kidman decides to confront the Iron Monger to retrieve the briefcase. In a dramatic turn of events, he resorts to violence, killing several of the Iron Monger's henchmen and successfully reclaiming the money. This marks a significant turning point, showcasing Kidman's growing volatility.
Where:Iron Monger's Hideout
- 8
Stalled Production
With the project back on, the production halts as Renatus insists on turning the film into an avant-garde art piece. Kidman, trying to fit in, consumes an opium-laced bong hit, causing him to undergo a harrowing trip that complicates his already fragile mental state.
Where:Renatus's Mansion
- 9
The Bad Trip
In an attempt to recover from his drug-induced experience, Kidman is given LSD by Ella, a free-spirited hippie who becomes interested in him. On this psychedelic journey, he professes to Ella that he wants to move away from violence, reflecting an inner transformation while in the throes of his trip.
- 10
CIA's Response
Alarmed by Kidman's incoherent call to the CIA, agents are dispatched to England to regain control of the situation. They take everyone at the commune hostage, demanding that the filming of the fake Moon landing commence immediately, leading to an unexpected and tense stand-off.
Where:Renatus's Commune
Show the other 5 events of Moonwalkers Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Filming Under Duress
Jonny and Leon reluctantly take on the roles of astronauts while the CIA sets up their operations. As the shoot progresses, Leon’s nerves lead him to take more drugs, resulting in erratic behavior and chaos on set that further complicates the filming of their false Moon landing.
Where:Fake Moon Set
- 12
Showdown with the Iron Monger
The situation escalates dramatically with the arrival of the Iron Monger, who bursts in to reclaim his stolen money. A fierce shootout ensues between the CIA and the Iron Monger's henchmen, resulting in casualties and chaos that threaten to derail the entire mission.
Where:Renatus's Commune
- 13
Broadcasting Lies
In the midst of the chaos, the false footage from the filming is transmitted via closed circuit to the CIA headquarters. Despite the gunfire and confusion, the CIA successfully receives their desired content, marking a pivotal and ironic moment in Kidman's mission.
Where:CIA Headquarters
- 14
Life Over Death
After eliminating the Iron Monger, Kidman tells Jonny that his space suit absorbed the bullet from the shootout, falsely claiming that Jonny’s actions saved him. This moment encapsulates Kidman's transformation and the impact of violence versus camaraderie as they bond over their harrowing experience.
- 15
Fleeing to Freedom
Now wanted by the CIA, Jonny, Leon, Kidman, and Ella must quickly escape England. As they journey towards Spain, they share a moment of collective uncertainty while watching the Moon landing on television, torn between reality and the fabricated truth they created.
Where:Spain
Who Are the Main Characters in Moonwalkers?
4 characters, among them Tom Kidman (Ron Perlman), Jonny Thorpe (Rupert Grint) and Leon (Robert Sheehan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Tom Kidman (Ron Perlman)
Played by Ron Perlman
Tom Kidman is a troubled CIA agent tasked with a covert mission to create a fake moon landing. Haunted by his past experiences in Vietnam, he struggles with PTSD and resorts to violence when provoked. His character evolves from a rigid operative to someone who questions the morality of his actions.
- 🕵️♂️ CIA Agent
- 🎭 Troubled Soul
- 🚀 Veteran
-
Jonny Thorpe (Rupert Grint)
Played by Rupert Grint
Jonny Thorpe is a struggling band promoter who inadvertently gets caught up in the CIA's scheme. His naive and carefree demeanor masks his financial desperation, leading him to make reckless decisions. Throughout the film, Jonny's aspirations clash with the dire circumstances he finds himself in.
- 🎸 Promoter
- 💰 Reckless
- 🤷♂️ Naive
-
Leon (Robert Sheehan)
Played by Robert Sheehan
Leon is Jonny's stoner roommate, who becomes an unwitting participant in the fake moon landing project. His laid-back personality is evident in his casual approach to life, yet he grapples with anxiety when thrust into the spotlight. Leon's character adds comedic relief amidst the film's tensions.
- 😎 Stoner
- 🎬 Aspiring Actor
- 😂 Comedic
-
Ella (Stephen Campbell Moore)
Played by Stephen Campbell Moore
Ella is a free-spirited hippie who forms a connection with Kidman, encouraging him to embrace a more peaceful approach to life. Her character symbolizes the counterculture movement, advocating for love and exploration over violence. Ella's influence becomes crucial during Kidman's tumultuous journey.
- 🌼 Free Spirit
- ❤️ Advocate for Peace
- 🌈 Hippie
Where and When Is Moonwalkers Set?
Moonwalkers is set in England and Spain (1960s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960s
The film is set during the 1960s, a period marked by intense geopolitical tension due to the Cold War. The space race serves as a focal point of American pride and competition against the Soviet Union, culminating in the Apollo 11 Moon landing. This decade also features the rise of counterculture and the exploration of new art forms, as seen through the characters' experiences.
Where
England, Spain
The movie primarily takes place in England, where CIA agent Tom Kidman attempts to hire Stanley Kubrick to create a fake moon landing. England's vibrant culture during the late 1960s is depicted through the influence of art and counterculture. Spain serves as a final escape for the characters, providing a picturesque backdrop as they witness the Moon landing.
- 🇬🇧 England
- 🇪🇸 Spain
What Are the Themes of Moonwalkers?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception and Counterculture.
-
01
Deception
The theme of deception runs throughout the film, emphasizing the lengths to which the CIA will go to secure an ideological victory. Kidman's mission to create a false narrative around the Moon landing challenges the notion of truth in media. The interplay between reality and performance art raises important questions about authenticity.
-
02
Counterculture
The film captures the spirit of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, showcasing characters who reject societal norms. The portrayal of drug use and communal living reflects the era's push against conformity. Kidman's journey also highlights personal liberation amidst chaos.
What Kind of Film Is Moonwalkers?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A chaotic, fast-paced dark comedy that balances absurd humor with genuine tension, following a mentally unstable CIA agent and hapless hustlers through a drug-fueled mission to fake the moon landing.
- anxious
- chaotic
- absurd
- drug-fueled
- darkly comedic
- tense
- mistaken identity
- government conspiracy
- faking history
- ptsd
Content notes: graphic violence, substance abuse, ptsd, hostage situation.
Quiz
How well do you remember Moonwalkers? Test yourself on the story.
