Mona Lisa & the Blood Moon: A Kooky, K‑Rod Blend of Escape and Friendship
Kate Hudson and Jeon Jong‑seo take on the role of two misfits spiralling straight into the chaotic thrall of New Orleans. After a supernatural breakout from a locked‑down mental asylum, Mona Lisa—played by Jong‑seo—winds up in the riotous French Quarter, where she encounters Bonnie (Hudson), a single‑mom ex‑dancer now doling out survival tips to a kid named Charles.
What’s the Deal?
- • A break‑out from maximum security (yes, we can’t begin the story without the alarm).
- • The chaos of the French Quarter, complete with polka‑dot jazz and a sneaky drug dealer courtesy of Ed Skrein.
- • A quirky, not‑so‑typical team that treats formidable powers like a harmless gadget.
Why It Feels Fresh
The film’s fulcrum is that friendship can turn the worst of chaos into something that feels almost magical. The director’s own words echo this sentiment: “I wanted to find what’s optimistic about this madness that we’re all in. And I do think friendship is such a defining and important thing. It feeds us so much and it can take so many forms,”
Alex said in an interview before the world premiere.
Lean into the Wildness
Imagine a junk‑food‑loving hero who’s in love with nobody but the underdog culture, and suddenly you have an unlikely buddy who can literally lift you off the ground while you chat about your favorite 70s pop hits.
Takeaway
Mona Lisa & the Blood Moon reminds us that the most improbable bonds arise in the most jaw‑dropping circumstances. If you’re looking for a ride that’s part fantasy, part laugh‑and‑cry, this film turns the New Orleans vibe into a whole new kind of gold mine.
<img alt="" data-caption="The 78th Venice Film Festival – Screening of the film Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon – Red carpet arrivals – Venice, Italy, September 5, 2021 – Actor Kate Hudson poses.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”8eaeea70-92e8-4954-8361-cc182692e3e7″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/actresssss.jpg”/>
Emily Hudson: Breaking Out, Breaking Rules
Life 24/7 as a Creative Outsider
At a recent press event, film maker Amirpour let her words echo the narrative she’s built for herself: “I’ve always felt like an outsider—different in looks, voice, and vibe. The world’s looked at new, and I stayed on my own beat.” That vibe carries forward into her star role in “Mona Lisa.”
Amirpour’s Wild Re‑imagining of a Hero
He’s motion‑for the dub‑tastic The Bad Batch that roared in Venice in 2016, but this time he’s re‑working a heroine who can reinvent herself through every twist of the plot. “Freedom. That’s the real thrill,” he said, hinting that the character could vibe with any kid who embraces their quirky side.
Hudson Plays the “Almost‑Famous” Star with Great Humor
- Hudson, 42, joys in the freedom of making choices that make her laugh: “It’s liberating to live w/out caring what others think. I liked that with Bonnie.”
- Amirpour cracked the jokes at the conference: “Her first time I met her—she was pregnant. I quipped, ‘Got the baby? Wanna be a stripper?’ She replied, ‘Yeah, cool.’”
Good Talent Meets Joyful Extremes
The film festival buzz is building: acting, alt‑directions, competition—this is the star, and the under‑dog, that’s beating them all. People around the world will hood the screens and know this brave woman is ready to inspire the next generation of toss‑the‑stash, out‑and‑about mavericks.
