Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE MOOGAI [Sundance Film Festival 2024 - Park City, Utah]

The essence of mythology and lore especially in aborginal cultures comes from the context of understanding and maybe tolerating old ways but not forgetting about their power. "The Moogai" [Midnight] takes this trajectory using the aspect of the modern Aborginal woman (in this case Sarah -- played by Shari Sebbens) in Australia and creates an underlying dread that is based in history but also regret...and, in a way, retribution. While the film does make subtle reference to relocation throughout the story ( and overtly in the introduction) of the native people, the key of the story is that family protects their own even in fear or opression. Sebbens does an interesting and dynamic job of transforming based on her concept of society and what sacrifices she and others have made (though she is blinded at the inset). Sarah belittles her birth mother when the aspect of a child stealer in the form of a boogeyman is brought up. Writer/Direcor Jon Bell knows the noose of claustrophobia that starts to quicken on Sarah. The notion that post partum can be misconstrued especially when a monster pretends to be a friend to thwart the loyalty of a child is an interesting twist.

Sarah's husband Fergus (Meyne Wyatt -- doing a very understated but effective performance) is trying his best and balancing the notion of a modern man versus protector. The film tends to really work when it takes this life they believe they have built and it starts being deconstructed because of what they choose to believe versus what can actually be proven. At one point, the relationship takes a dark turn because of a very practical response. Of course this imagery is bathed in metaphor but its consequence is very real. But what is interesting as the film moves towards its end is that the imagery reverses on itself and its idea becomes one of using the creature's own power against itself. There are some elements of certain stalwarts of horror films in that the creature cannot hunt during the day or see through some forms of soil but that is necessary to create the time and plot progression. The final ring of fire does speak to the inherent nature that nothing is really ever gone but that the understanding of sacrifice and trauma, whether through action or listening, is a powerful thing, especially when everything else seems lost. B+

By Tim Wassberg