The Moon
Performance & Direction: The Moon Review
Last updated: February 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Moon (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Moon features a noteworthy lineup led by Sul Kyung-gu . Supported by the likes of Doh Kyung-soo and Kim Hee-ae , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Moon
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2023, The Moon is a Drama, Adventure, Science Fiction film directed by Kim Yong-hwa. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Sul Kyung-gu.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In 2029, Korea's lunar probe Woori embarks on a historic journey to the moon, capturing global attention. The screenplay takes time to develop Sul Kyung-gu's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Sul Kyung-gu's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: The Moon
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, The Moon concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Sul Kyung-gu, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Moon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Moon?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Sul Kyung-gu or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Moon
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $92.7K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Moon Budget
The estimated production budget for The Moon is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Moon
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Moon Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeThe Moon Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about The Moon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Moon is 129 minutes (2h 9m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Moon is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2023 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Moon worth watching?
The Moon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Moon parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Moon identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Moon?
The total duration of The Moon is 129 minutes, which is approximately 2h 9m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Moon
**It's sci-fi with the human aspect.** This is the best “Moon” movie to date. The #Kdrama industry once again has proven that they can produce top-notch #scifi productions. They never cease to amaze me on how they can keep the human aspect strong in their stories without it turning into a regular drama. I highly recommend this! You wouldn't even think it was an Asian production. They surpassed Hollywood here, hands down. Thank you, Viu Philippines, for providing both a subtitled and dubbed versions. I enjoyed watching both versions. A great 2023 holiday gift for your subscribers. And congratulations to the production team for giving the world a great film.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
