Cosmic Dawn Review: An Otherworldy Simple Science Fiction Story

Release date: October 9, 2021
Running time: 98 minutes
Written and Directed By: Jefferson Moneo
Starring: Camille Rowe, Emmanuelle Chriqui

Ever since her mother vanished before her eyes as a child, Aurora (Camille Rowe, The Deep House) has never given up her search. When an alluring bookstore clerk (Emmanuelle Chriqui, Wrong Turn) recruits her into the ranks of a UFO cult called The Cosmic Dawn, answers seem to finally be in reach. As she falls deeper into their bizarre world led by the eccentric Elyse (Antonia Zegers), Aurora must decide how far she is willing to go for the truth. Inspired by the writer/director Jefferson Moneo's own alien encounter when he was a child, THE COSMIC DAWN is an engaging, timeline hopping psychological thriller topped off with a dope score from Alan Howarth (Halloween franchise, They Live).

Cosmic Dawn is a simple and complex movie.  The time jumping style is disorienting at first, but you get used to it as the film goes on.  The movie is understated, with a simple style that uses the beautiful nature and splashes of color to tell its story.  There are hints of science fiction throughout, including some very interesting looking rock formations and a futuristic looking camp, but these just help to accent the overall feel.  The movie has a mix of science fiction and cult aspects, with the characters wearing bold primary colored jump suits that will feel at home in any cult type film.  

And the music is great as well, with a retro feel that is right at home in this throwback science fiction style.  The music is done by MGMT and you can tell that it has that band's exciting and throwback style. And this throwback feel is helped by some lower resolution space footage and effects.  I really loved how it had these aspects without feeling the need to intentionally degrade the rest of the film.  It had hints of older science fiction and horror, without intentionally hurting the audience's enjoyment.

And the story is mysterious and sinister enough to keep you attention throughout this film.  I really loved the overall feeling and how unsettling it felt despite the relative simplicity of the film.  And as I mentioned, the film jumps back and forth in time but the story comes through easily enough.  And after it all, you are left with a strange, but perfectly appropriate ending.

Cosmic Dawn will abduct your attention and open your mind with its simple but bold style, great characters and music, and sinister, science fiction story.  

Watch it.

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Cosmic Dawn is premiering at Nighstream 2021 on October 9, 2021.  Keep your eyes open for future chances to view it.