preview

Moonlight Film Analysis

Decent Essays

Moonlight is a movie that follows the life of Chiron as he grows up. Starting from an abusive childhood at his mother’s house, and through his struggle filled highschool years, Chiron ultimately ends up an independent adult. From the beginning of the film, Chiron face abuse at the hands of his mother as well as from bullies at his school, which leads him to find Juan, who acts as a type of mentor to him as he grows up. Juan’s girlfriend Teresa also acts as a mentoring figure through Chiron’s youth and adult life, while Chiron’s own mother slips into drug use and prostitution. In Chiron’s younger years, he befriends Kevin, who remains significant throughout the film as his love interest. While in school, Chiron must battle with bullies, while growing up in a rough home situation. This constant struggle for physical safety and well as safety in his sexuality causes high tension throughout the film. As he discovers himself, Chiron looks to Juan and Teresa for guidance, but eventually lashes out at the violent bullies in his life. The director of this film clearly presents an idea of masculinity and how it especially is pertinent in context to the african american men in the film. Growing up in his early days, Chiron does not have a male or fatherly figure in his life. The director shows that Juan acts as a stand in for Chiron’s father-like figure while protecting him from the threats of bullies and his mother. Juan could represent a positive male presence since he genuinely

Get Access