Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- melancholic
- sardonic
- quiet evening
- music history night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Ethan Hawke’s performance, the luminous ensemble, and the richly atmospheric period setting, while some found the film’s stylized presentation distracting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lorenz Hart struggles with alcoholism, mental health, and the collapse of his partnership while Oklahoma! opens.
Hart’s LGBTQ identity and loneliness are central to his emotional and professional predicament in the 1940s.
Hart spends much of the story talking with his favored bartender Eddie while waiting for the Oklahoma! after-party.
Critics emphasize the retro-bar atmosphere, cocktail-piano mood, and Linklater’s conspicuous effort to reshape Hawke’s physical presentation.
Films like Blue Moon, and why
Maestro
intimate biographical drama centered on a brilliant but troubled artist, with melancholic humor and a standout lead performance
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
period music drama about artistic collaboration, personal vulnerability, and the pressures surrounding a public creative life
Trumbo
witty, bittersweet portrait of queer identity and artistic ambition in a historically specific cultural milieu
Birdman
compact backstage character study blending theatrical atmosphere, creative rivalry, and emotionally bruised humor
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Linklater
- Release Date
- 2025-10-17
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (337)
Cast
- Ethan Hawke
- Bobby Cannavale
- Andrew Scott
- Margaret Qualley
- Patrick Kennedy
- Jonah Lees
- Simon Delaney
- Giles Surridge
- Cillian Sullivan
- Michael James Ford
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blue Moon about?
- A witty yet aching backstage portrait of lyricist Lorenz Hart confronting addiction, isolation, and the eclipse of his partnership on the night Oklahoma! opens.
- What is Blue Moon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blue Moon as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Blue Moon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Blue Moon.
- What did critics think of Blue Moon?
- Critics broadly praised Ethan Hawke’s performance, the luminous ensemble, and the richly atmospheric period setting, while some found the film’s stylized presentation distracting.
- Which films are like Blue Moon?
- Films with a similar feel include Maestro, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Trumbo, and Birdman.
- How long is Blue Moon?
- Blue Moon runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blue Moon?
- In United States, Blue Moon streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
