Cosmic Dawn

I hadn't heard about this 2022 sci-fi thriller titled "Cosmic Dawn" from writer and director Jefferson Moneo prior to sitting down to watch it. Normally, I am not overly keen on sci-fi movies, but the synopsis for this particular movie actually sounded interesting, and thus I opted to watch it.

I will say that writer and director Jefferson Moneo managed to deliver a rather unique movie here, for better or worse. "Cosmic Dawn" is not your average run-of-the-mill mainstream movie, because the storyline is pretty far out there. And in that sense, then writer and director Jefferson Moneo managed to capture the dangers of a cult and the way that a cult works in brainwashing and manipulating its members in a rather entertaining manner. Sure, I am no expert on cults, and never been in a cult, but I really found the portrayal of the Cosmic Dawn cult in this movie rather interesting.

The movie was actually entertaining and it is worth watching, especially if you enjoy movies that are not mainstream movies. It was a refreshing change of pace, I would say, and I can recommend you sit down to watch "Cosmic Dawn" if you get the chance.

While "Cosmic Dawn" was enjoyable and entertaining throughout the entire course, I have to admit that I didn't care much about the last 5 minutes of the movie and the ending to the movie. But of course, that is a matter of personal taste and preference. But other than that, then I found "Cosmic Dawn" to be wholesome and entertaining.

While I wasn't familiar with the cast in "Cosmic Dawn", I will say that they had managed to put together a great cast ensemble, and the actresses and actors in the movie really put on good performances. I was especially impressed with Antonia Zegers (playing Elyse) and also Camille Rowe (playing Aurora).

This movie is strange and bizarre, no doubt about it, but that is part of what makes it enjoyable.

My rating of "Cosmic Dawn" lands on a six out of ten stars.

I highly recommend this to anybody who enjoys slower paced, cerebral, emotional SciFi, and/or anyone who enjoys the cult genre. I happen to enjoy both, which is why I took a chance on it with such a low rating.

This is a compelling story following a girl who had an UFO experience in childhood. One that she has never been able to cope with properly. Her trauma makes her vulnerable to the influence of a cult later in life.

Most of this film bounces back and forth between a four year period when she reaches early adulthood. Although this sometimes feels confusing, because we are often introduced to characters in the present, when there is an obvious back story from the time frame set four years prior, it very effectively produces an air of mystery. Trust the the connections will be made in following scenes.

A SciFi fan who enjoys plots based mostly on scientific fact will be disappointed. This film focuses more on the "what ifs", or is it possible? It's deeply emotional and character driven, with the plot unfolding slowly.

I gave it a 9/10 to help offset some of the lower ratings. Realistically It's probably a 7.5/10.

I find the most helpful part of reviews, when undecided about investing my time in a low ranked film, is a comparison to other movies. If you enjoyed Brit Marlins "Sound of My Voice" or "The Endless", both of which also have cult themed SciFi, you will love this film. Obviously, I recommend both of those films if you enjoyed this one.

Just wow. I hope that the director received accolades for this gorgeous piece of art at all the most important film festivals.

This is an incredible film, one with something for everyone to enjoy - for example, when the cult ecstatically danced and sang to "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", I knew that i would follow them forever.

The acting on this film is worthy of all the Daytime Emmies, all of them, even the ones for technical stuff and craft services.

The acid sequence was also a winner. I took acid once at a small festival in the early 2000s and it was exactly as portrayed. Uncanny.

And the ending? No spoilers but hang on to your hats! Whoo! Pheoooooow.

I kept hoping the ending was going to pay off in this slow moving movie. Nope, It cuts from scene to scene quickly, most flashbacks serve no purpose at all. In the end it just seems a Cosmic Yawn.

Just watch it as an antidote to the cycle of generic blah that is coming out.

If you don't take it too seriously and are mature enough to overlook the budget then this film offers some genuinely great moments.