Blue Moon: When Family Feels Like the Tides Are Pulling You Under

Ever felt like you just needed to get out? Like your surroundings were shrinking, and the people around you were holding you back from your big dreams? Well, grab a snack and settle in, because we're diving into a movie that takes that feeling and cranks it up to eleven.

We're talking about "Blue Moon," directed by the talented Oana Marian. This isn't your average rom-com, folks. This is a raw, intense look at a young woman named Irina who is absolutely desperate to break free from her rural Romanian village and her, let's just say, overbearing family.

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Imagine wanting nothing more than to go to college in the big city (hello, Bucharest!), but your uncle and cousins have other plans. Plans that involve keeping you stuck, controlled, and living under an iron-fisted, old-school patriarchy. It’s not just a little tough love; it's a suffocating web of expectations, abuse, and zero personal space. Irina’s dream of education and independence feels miles away, locked behind her family’s resistance.

The film plunges you right into this world with a super realistic style. Think handheld cameras, long takes that make you feel like you're right there in the room, watching everything unfold, and hardly any music to tell you how to feel. It’s all natural light and raw emotions, making for a truly immersive, and at times, intensely uncomfortable experience. You'll feel the claustrophobia right along with Irina.

While "Blue Moon" isn't exactly a feel-good flick, it's incredibly powerful. It's a gripping tale about the universal struggle for freedom, self-determination, and the courage it takes to fight for your own path, even when your own blood seems determined to hold you back. If you're looking for a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll and makes you truly appreciate your own opportunities, this one’s for you. Just maybe not right before bed.

Original article: https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/show/movie-reviews/2025-12-08/nathan-weinbender-reviews-blue-moon