A ‘completely insane’ science fiction disaster film featuring leading Hollywood stars may have been panned by critics but fans of the flick found it hugely entertaining
08:00, 21 Dec 2025
With a cast including Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson and the late, legendary Donald Sutherland, the movie, which airs on Film 4 tonight, was surely destined to be a blockbuster.
However Moonfall, which follows NASA astronauts as they discover an unsettling truth about the moon which has been covered up for years, was a commercial flop when it was unleashed on the world. Film buffs were also quick to slam it with one calling the film itself "an actual disaster" and others labelling it "nuts" but devotees of science fiction found it to be wildly entertaining, just as it should be.
It begins when a team of astronauts, including Brian Harper (Wilson) and Jo Fowler (Berry) are on a 2011 mission to repair a space shuttle. They are attacked by a swarm of alien technology which leaves a member of the crew dead and Jo unconscious. Brian is the only one who witnesses the incident and sees the aliens disappear beneath the surface of the moon. When they return to earth he is given the boot from NASA and disgraced for reporting what he witnessed. A decade later a conspiracy theorist makes a terrifying discovery about the moon and announces it anonymously to the world. Investigations take place and the battle is on to save earth and figure out exactly what is going on.
Directed and produced by Roland Emmerich, Moonfall was one of the most expensive independent films ever made, which made its box office flop even harder to take. Shot on a budget of around $150 million, it took just $67 million worldwide. Critically it was also a stonker on its release in 2022. Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes where it scores a lowly 35% pan it for having a totally bonkers plot. "This movie is bananas, nuts, completely insane, and it didn't even have a great Aerosmith song!" wrote one.
Another said: "One of the most entertaining disaster movies for the first hour Then the second hour happened It became an actual disaster." While a third ranted: "The third act of this film goes to places that are so insane that it will leave audiences slack-jawed, open-mouthed and shaking their heads in utter disbelief to what they are witnessing."
However there are those who believe the enjoyment is in the suspense of reality. "Moonfall is exactly what it’s meant to be. It’s a big, bold disaster film that pulls us out of the disaster film that has become our lives over the last few years. Moonfall is the best kind of disaster, it distracts the brain just long enough to remind us it could be a lot worse," said one. Others praise it for the pure entertainment factor: "Not what I was expecting, but thoroughly enjoyed it! I've watched it twice now. If you just go with the storyline the plot and back story is very fascinating," one posted.
A second said: "Alright, it's a Sci Fi movie in the vein of old school ones that don't line up with true science, but who cares? It's entertainment and reminded me of when movies were just that, entertainment. I still love to watch those and I enjoyed this one as well. Had an interesting premise behind why and what. Don't go in too deep, just watch it for the fun of it. If you like those old movies like the day the earth stood still or still watch Star Trek and Doctor Who, well here you go."
A third even demanded more: "Incredibly dumb but very entertaining and for that I loved it! A movie can be bad as long as it’s entertaining and not boring and this is the one! We need the sequel! Please! With how the world is right now we must get part 2 to save humanity," they pleaded.
Moonfall airs on Film 4 at 6.25pm tonight, Sunday 21 December.