The Moon Knight Directors Whose Wild Science Fiction Movies You Need To See
The second episode of "Moon Knight" ups everything that worked from the pilot, including Oscar Isaac delivering an impressive dual performance as Steven Grant and Marc Spector, Ethan Hawke embracing the "creepy religious fantatic" vibes, and more jackal-slaying action. Special props also go May Calamawy, who steals every scene she's in as Layla El-Faouly; Hollywood needs to be knocking down her door after "Moon Knight" ends its run.
"Moon Knight" episode 2, "Summon the Suit," also marks a shift in directors. While Mohamed Diab handled the pilot and will direct most of the episodes, the second installment was directed by the team of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead — whose time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is only beginning as they're also slated to helm the sophomore season of "Loki".
Benson and Moorhead have made an impact in the indie genre, particularly when it comes to science fiction; their films are not only standouts in the indie scenes but also showcase the skills and beautiful yet horrific imagery that made them a lock for "Moon Knight".
Resolution and The Endless
Benson and Moorhead's directorial debut, "Resolution," sees best friends Michael (Peter Cilella) and Chris (Vinny Curran) reconnecting as Michael attempts to help Chris work through his drug addiction. Both men soon encounter a cult dedicated to UFOs and start to receive a series of disturbing materials that hint at their deaths. Benson and Moorhead would later return to the world of "Resolution" with their 2017 film "The Endless", which they also starred in as ... a pair of brothers named Justin and Aaron who reconnect with the same alien-worshipping cult and learn that there actually is an eldritch alien entity with sadistic designs on the cult.
Much like "Resolution" and "The Endless", "Moon Knight" contains a cult lead by Ethan Hawke's Arthur Harrow. Rather than worshipping aliens, they worship a god — specifically the Egyptian god Ammit, who judges you based on the history of your life. The trippy, disturbing imagery in both films is touched upon with Khonshu; honestly, wouldn't you be freaked out if a giant being with a bird skull proclaiming to be the Egyptian god of the moon followed you around and insulted you? The fact that Benson and Moorhead have also created a shared universe of sorts means that they're no strangers to working in a creative sandbox.
Spring
Benson and Moorhead's third film, "Spring," is a horrific twist on the classic romance/travel film, especially when it comes to the couple involved. After the death of his mother, Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) travels to Italy and meets a girl named Louise (Nadia Hilker). The two hit it off, consummating their relationship shortly after. But Louise is holding a deadly secret: she's an immortal mutant who seeks sexual partners in order to preserve her immortality. And I thought "Spin Me Round" was the strangest take on this genre!
"Spring" is built around Pucci and Hilker's romance, which features a tragic turn that Guillermo del Toro himself would applaud. It also continues Benson and Moorhead's penchant for disturbing imagery, as Louise transforms into various animals and creatures (a would-be street assailant suffers a grisly death at the hand of one of those transformations). Marc and Layla's relationship seems to be built on a similarly tragic foundation; Marc tells Steven that he offered himself in servitude to Khonshu to save her, and I have a sinking feeling that there's more to the story that he's letting on.
Synchronic
Benson and Moorhead's latest film, "Synchronic," is what cued me into their filmography, and may have been what landed them their "Moon Knight" and "Loki" gigs. Paramedic Steve Denube (Anthony Mackie) and his friend/co-worker Dennis Dannelly (Jamie Dornan) discover a string of bizarre deaths linked to the titular drug Synchronic. It turns out that Synchronic can send its user back in time — a fact Steve takes advantage of to try and find Dennis' daughter Brianna after a Synchronic-fueled party.
Putting aside the fact that Benson and Moorhead worked with MCU veteran Anthony Mackie (who recently starred in his own Disney+ series, "The Falcon on the Winter Soldier"), "Synchronic" also captures the genre blending and character development that has made Marvel a force to be reckoned with in pop culture. Steve is revealed to be suffering from a brain tumor, and his quest to save Brianna stems from a desire to do something good before he leaves this Earth. The trippy time travel effects (including objects being able to be transported with you from past to present) could also inform how the duo will approach season 2 of "Loki".
"Synchronic" is available to stream on Netflix, and I highly suggest you check it out — it's a phenomenal film, and an example of Benson and Moorhead at their best. "Moon Knight" is in good hands.