Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, directed by Jun Jong-seo, released in 2022, follows the enigmatic Mona, a young girl with the power to make people's hidden desires come to life. After escaping a mental institution, Mona finds herself on a surreal journey across the city, encountering eccentric characters who are both drawn to her and afraid of her uncanny abilities. As Mona navigates this strange new world, she must confront her own past and inner demons while being pursued by authorities who seek to control her powers. Blending elements of fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age, the film explores themes of identity, freedom, and the search for belonging in a world that fears what it cannot understand.

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon has garnered mixed reviews from critics. While some appreciate the film's surrealistic visuals and Jun Jong-seo's compelling performance as Mona, others find the storyline disjointed and lacking depth. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a respectable 74% based on averaged reviews. IMDb rates it with a solid 6.2/10, praising the film's unique premise but criticizing its pacing. Metacritic offers a score of 69/100, indicating a generally favorable response from critics. Overall, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is a visually striking and thought-provoking film that may resonate with audiences looking for a blend of fantasy and psychological depth.