Moonlight

Overview

Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins and based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney, is a groundbreaking film that explores the life of Chiron, a young Black man coming to terms with his sexuality, identity, and place in the world. Told in three distinct acts, the film traces Chiron’s emotional, social, and psychological development from childhood to adulthood. Each chapter is named after a stage in his life: Little (childhood), Chiron (teenage years), and Black (adulthood). Throughout these stages, Chiron grapples with the trauma of his environment, his complicated relationships, and the difficulties of growing up in a homophobic, hyper-masculine culture.

Act 1: Little

The film opens with Chiron (played by Alex R. Hibbert) as a young boy, nicknamed Little by his peers, in a rough neighborhood of Miami. His mother, Paula (Naomie Harris), is a drug addict who neglects him, creating a toxic and unstable home environment. Despite this, Chiron remains a sweet, quiet, and vulnerable child who finds solace in his solitude. His fragility and emotional sensitivity set him apart from the other kids at school, leading to bullying and isolation.

Chiron’s feelings of being different are magnified by his emerging awareness of his sexual orientation. He doesn’t have the language or support to understand these feelings, so they manifest as confusion and insecurity. His personal struggle is compounded by the fact that he has no real father figure in his life. This is where Juan (Mahershala Ali) enters the picture. Juan, a drug dealer, takes Chiron under his wing after the boy seeks refuge from bullies in Juan’s home. Despite Juan's occupation, he proves to be a compassionate and caring figure who shows Chiron what it means to be loved and respected. Through Juan and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monáe), Chiron experiences moments of warmth, care, and understanding that stand in stark contrast to his difficult life at home.

Juan and Teresa offer Chiron a safe space where he can open up and receive love, but it’s not without tension. Chiron doesn’t fully understand the implications of Juan’s lifestyle as a drug dealer, but Juan gives Chiron a sense of self-worth and reassures him that he doesn’t need to fit the mold of "tough" masculinity. In one crucial moment, Juan teaches Chiron to swim, which becomes a symbolic act of survival — Juan's way of showing Chiron that there are ways to navigate the challenges life presents. Juan’s role as a father figure is important, but it also highlights the gap between the emotional support Chiron needs and the reality of his life.

The act ends with Chiron sharing a tentative conversation with Juan about being different. Juan asks Chiron if he’s “a little different,” implying he might be gay, though Chiron does not fully grasp the question. Juan’s advice, that life will be tough but that Chiron can survive by being himself, is a rare moment of emotional clarity in Chiron’s life.

Act 2: Chiron

The second act picks up with Chiron (played by Ashton Sanders) as a teenager. He is now fully aware of his sexual identity, but his journey of self-acceptance is riddled with pain and confusion. He is ostracized by his peers, especially by Terrel (Patrick Decile), a classmate who bullies Chiron relentlessly for appearing weak and different. Chiron’s world feels increasingly isolating, and his relationship with his mother worsens as her addiction deepens.

Chiron’s sense of isolation is underscored by his troubled relationship with his mother. Paula's addiction to crack cocaine makes her emotionally absent, and she often neglects Chiron, both physically and emotionally. This absence leaves Chiron with no real support system, and his interactions with her are hostile and painful. In one particularly heartbreaking scene, Paula angrily chastises Chiron for "acting like a little girl" and trying to make her feel bad for her addiction. This scene exemplifies the emotional abuse that Chiron faces at home, exacerbating his sense of being unloved and unwanted.

Despite the bullying, Chiron develops a closeness with his classmate Kevin (Jharrel Jerome), with whom he shares a tender moment on the beach. Kevin, who is more socially accepted than Chiron, initially seems to be Chiron’s only ally, someone who sees him and does not judge him. Their emotional connection culminates in a tender kiss, a rare moment of physical intimacy that represents the beginning of Chiron’s understanding of his sexuality.

However, Chiron’s sense of safety and emotional connection is shattered when Terrel and his friends corner Chiron after school. They brutally attack him, an act that represents the culmination of years of bullying and abuse. Kevin, despite their shared moment on the beach, succumbs to peer pressure and refuses to intervene. He distances himself from Chiron, leaving Chiron to deal with the trauma of the attack alone. This betrayal cuts deeply into Chiron’s psyche and marks a turning point in his life. The violence he endures forces him to confront the reality that the world is unkind, and he must harden himself in order to survive.

After the attack, Chiron’s behavior shifts drastically. He begins to embody the tough exterior of masculinity he has seen in the world around him. He retaliates by lashing out violently at Terrel, mirroring the aggression he has absorbed over the years. Chiron’s transition from vulnerable child to hardened teenager is underscored by his decision to avoid emotional connection and embrace a more protective, defensive persona. He decides to accept the role of “the tough guy,” rejecting the sensitive, emotionally open boy he once was.

Act 3: Black

The third act takes place years later, with Chiron (now played by Trevante Rhodes) as an adult. He has embraced a new identity, adopting the name "Black." Chiron has become a drug dealer, following the path of Juan, but he is emotionally closed off and isolated. He has physically transformed, now a muscular and imposing figure, a reflection of the tough persona he has adopted to protect himself. He has learned to shut off his vulnerability, rejecting the emotional connection he once craved.

Despite the hardened exterior, Chiron’s past continues to haunt him. The act begins with a surprise phone call from Kevin (now played by André Holland), who has reached out to reconnect after many years. Kevin, who now works as a cook in a diner, has built a life for himself, but he’s also dealing with his own emotional scars. The phone call rekindles feelings from their youth, and Kevin expresses regret over abandoning Chiron when they were teenagers. Kevin is aware that their past together was complicated, and he wishes to make amends.

Chiron drives to Miami to meet Kevin, and the meeting is both tense and emotionally charged. When they reconnect in person, Chiron is still emotionally guarded, not knowing whether to open himself up to Kevin again. But the encounter gradually transforms into a moment of healing. Kevin, understanding Chiron’s emotional wounds, expresses his desire to make up for the past and invites Chiron to stay with him. The film reaches its emotional climax when Chiron and Kevin share a kiss, a deeply intimate and vulnerable moment. For the first time, Chiron is able to embrace his true self without the weight of shame or fear.

In the final moments of the film, Chiron’s expression softens. The final shot of him, sitting at the table with Kevin, reflects a sense of peace and acceptance, signaling that he is finally able to reconcile with his identity and the pain he has carried for so long.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Identity and Self-Discovery: Moonlight is primarily about Chiron’s search for identity, especially as a Black queer man. The film meticulously explores the struggles of reconciling one’s sexual identity in a world that is often hostile to it, particularly for marginalized individuals. Chiron’s journey of self-acceptance is central to the narrative, showing the emotional turmoil and resilience required to embrace one’s authentic self.

2. Masculinity: The film examines how masculinity is defined and enforced, particularly in Black communities. Chiron’s emotional fragility is viewed as a weakness, and he is constantly pressured to conform to a hyper-masculine ideal. The tension between Chiron’s sensitivity and the societal expectation to be tough is one of the film’s most powerful themes.

3. Love and Relationships: The film explores different kinds of love: familial, romantic, and platonic. Juan’s love and mentorship, Kevin’s friendship and later romantic interest, and Chiron’s complicated relationship with his mother all highlight the complexities of human connection. These relationships help Chiron navigate his struggles and ultimately find acceptance.

4. The Impact of Trauma: Throughout Moonlight, trauma is a key factor that shapes Chiron’s life. The abuse he endures, both from his peers and his mother, as well as his internalized homophobia, leave deep emotional scars. His transformation into "Black" is a direct result of this trauma, illustrating how the world’s cruelty can strip someone of their innocence and force them into survival mode.

5. Class and Race: The film is also a meditation on race, class, and the intersection of the two. Chiron’s story takes place in a working-class Black neighborhood, and much of his hardship is tied to the systemic inequalities faced by the Black community. Juan, despite being a drug dealer, offers Chiron an alternative to the harsh world around him, emphasizing that even within these confines, there are moments of tenderness and love.

Cinematic Style

Moonlight is known for its intimate, understated cinematography. The film often uses close-up shots and lingering frames to capture the internal lives of its characters, allowing viewers to feel the weight of their emotions without relying on heavy dialogue. The use of color is symbolic, with the film’s use of lighting and blues to evoke the mood of each act, reflecting Chiron’s emotional state at different points in his life. The film's score, composed by Nicholas Britell, combines classical music with hip-hop, complementing the emotional depth of the narrative.

Reception and Impact

Upon release, Moonlight was hailed as a masterpiece. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, making history as the first LGBTQ-themed film to win that honor. Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Juan, and the film also won Best Adapted Screenplay. Critics praised Moonlight for its nuanced portrayal of Black queer life, an underrepresented subject in mainstream cinema. It opened doors for more films that explore similar themes and contributed to broader conversations about representation and diversity in Hollywood.

Conclusion

Moonlight is a deeply emotional and visually stunning exploration of identity, love, and survival. Its intimate portrayal of Chiron’s life offers a rare and necessary perspective on the intersections of race, sexuality, and masculinity. Through its poignant storytelling, powerful performances, and beautiful cinematography, the film resonates long after the credits roll, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.