Australia’s dark history of the “Stolen Generations” serves as the foundation for “The Moogai,” a horror film by Jon Bell. The movie, an expansion of Bell’s 2020 short film, delves into the consequences of forcibly removing Aboriginal children from their families. While the metaphors are significant, the film struggles to transform them into a compelling and thrilling narrative.
Unveiling Australia’s Torrid Past
The film opens with a gripping prologue, immersing viewers in Australia’s troubled past. White men in suits chase Black children on an Aboriginal reserve, seeking to kidnap them. Two young sisters manage to escape, but one of them falls prey to the Moogai, a supernatural creature lurking in the shadows. The Moogai, with its sickly talon-like fingers, snatches children away.
A Present-Day Family Saga
The main story takes place in the present day. Ruth, one of the surviving sisters and now an elderly woman, visits her pregnant biological daughter Sarah. As Sarah and her husband welcome their second child, strange voices and inexplicable events suggest that the Moogai might be targeting Jacob, their newborn baby. Sarah is thrust into a rabbit hole of self-doubt and uncertainty.
Metaphors and Missed Opportunities
“The Moogai” wears its metaphors on its sleeve, but fails to integrate them effectively into the narrative. While the intentions are thoughtful, the execution falls short. The film employs standard horror tropes that lack the tension and impact necessary to captivate the audience. The framing and editing choices undermine the potential for surprise and suspense.
Unexplored Subtext
The film is filled with self-evident subtext, but fails to explore it dramatically or conceptually. Sarah, a light-skinned woman who passes as white, grapples with the physical complications of childbirth and the emotional complexities of reuniting with her Black birth mother. She also confronts the possibility that her white-passing child, Jacob, may suffer the same fate of forced removal from their culture and heritage. However, the weight of this confrontation rests solely on the audience, rather than being an integral part of the film’s subtext or presentation.
Lacking Chills and Impact
Despite being described as a “long-armed” creature, the Moogai’s lackluster appearance severs its connection to the film’s exploration of intergenerational trauma. The film touches on themes of white assimilation and victimization of Aboriginal subjects, but fails to delve deeper into these dynamics. The white supporting characters feel tangential to the story, resulting in a flimsy social drama that fails to engage.
A Missed Opportunity for Emotional Depth
“The Moogai” attempts to tie together its cultural double entendres, but leaves no room for lingering fears or the audience’s imagination. Instead, the film focuses on logistics, plot-driven behaviors, and stilted dialogue, suppressing the emotional nuance that could have evoked human terror and anguish. Tessa Rose delivers a compelling performance as Ruth, but Shari Sebbens’ talent remains hidden behind the film’s shortcomings.
A Film of Academic Significance
While “The Moogai” may provide viewers with insights into Australian history, it primarily serves an academic purpose. The film’s attempts to express the enduring pain and historical trauma fall flat due to the lackluster filmmaking and the absence of tension.
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