Boyd Holbrook
Locke
Overview
In 1988, Philadelphia police officer Thomas "Locke" Lockhart, hungry to become a detective, begins tracking a serial killer whose crimes defy scientific explanation. When the killer mysteriously resurfaces nine years later, Locke's obsession with finding the truth threatens to destroy his career, his family, and possibly his sanity.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe clock that eats its own tail
I keep thinking about the moment Thomas Lockhart realizes he is not chasing a killer. He is chasing a version of himself that has not become this man yet. Ambition gone sour.
A badge that sits on him like a noose. In the Shadow of the Moon bats time around like a cat with a wounded mouse. Curious and cruel. Indifferent to the mess.
The plot tricks are loud. What stays is how those tricks strip a cop who thought he knew the rules.
Jim Mickle made Stake Land and Cold in July. He likes strange things planted in dirt that looks real. Here he starts with a detective who needs a win, a city on edge, a killer who leaves cryptic marks.
Then he twists the furniture until the room feels wrong. Philadelphia is flickering streetlights and rain-slicked pavement. Tight.
Lived-in. Buildings that seem to lean in and listen. Cop movies turn that look into wallpaper.
Mickle and his cinematographer give it weight, so the supernatural actually startles when it walks in.
The first act is slow on purpose, and the tension holds. Boyd Holbrook's Locke is in a hurry. He needs to prove himself and climb.
He does not want to be another badge in a city that does not care about badges. His scenes with his daughter, Quincy Kirkwood, are the ones I trusted. He tucks her in and lingers a second too long, memorizing the room.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.6/10
"A sci-fi thriller with an intriguing premise that struggles to fully deliver on its potential, leaving viewers divided."
The film’s ambitious time-travel mystery and strong lead performance by Boyd Holbrook draw initial interest, but uneven pacing and a convoluted plot frustrate many. latestnetflix.com's view is that Some appreciate its stylish execution and twist-heavy narrative, while others find it overly confusing or underwhelming compared to similar genre offerings.
What viewers praise
- Intriguing premise The time-travel mystery and sci-fi elements spark curiosity and keep viewers engaged early on.
- Strong lead performance Boyd Holbrook’s portrayal of the determined detective is widely praised for adding depth to the story.
- Stylish direction Jim Mickle’s visual approach and atmospheric tone are highlighted as standout aspects of the film.
- Twist-heavy narrative The film’s unpredictable plot twists are appreciated by those who enjoy complex storytelling.
Common complaints
- Confusing plot Many viewers find the time-travel mechanics and overall narrative difficult to follow, leading to frustration.
- Uneven pacing The film’s slow build-up and abrupt shifts in tone are criticized for disrupting immersion.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters, including Cleopatra Coleman’s role, are seen as lacking depth or meaningful arcs.
- Familiar tropes Some feel the story relies too heavily on genre clichés, making it feel unoriginal.
Recommended for
Sci-fi mystery fans Time-travel thriller enthusiasts Boyd Holbrook admirers Jim Mickle film followers Twist-driven plot lovers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s In the Shadow of the Moon: A Sci-Fi Thriller with Time-Bending Twists
Jim Mickle’s In the Shadow of the Moon (2019) arrived on Netflix as a genre-blending mystery, merging police procedural grit with sci-fi spectacle. Starring Boyd Holbrook and Michael C. Hall, the film follows a Philadelphia cop’s obsessive hunt for a serial killer whose crimes defy logic—until time travel enters the equation. latestnetflix.com's view is that with a plot that unfolds across decades, the movie promised a fresh take on the serial killer trope, but its reception was as divided as its timeline.
A Killer Concept: Time Travel Meets Crime Drama
The film’s hook is its unconventional structure. In 1988, rookie detective Thomas Lockhart (Holbrook) investigates a string of bizarre murders, only to cross paths with a suspect (Hall) who seems to vanish into thin air. Nine years later, the killer resurfaces, and Lockhart’s fixation on the case spirals into a psychological and temporal maze 
. The script, penned by Gregory Weidman and Geoff Tock, leans into the paradoxes of time travel, delivering a story that The New York Times called a "twisty romp" through both crime and chronology .
Mickle, known for his work on Hap and Leonard and We Are What We Are, brought a visceral edge to the sci-fi elements. The film’s blend of blood-soaked crime scenes and high-concept sci-fi earned it comparisons to Looper and Predestination, though critics noted its tonal whiplash—equal parts cerebral and brutally violent .
Cast Chemistry and Standout Performances
Holbrook, fresh off his role in Narcos, anchored the film as Lockhart, a detective whose determination borders on self-destruction. His chemistry with Cleopatra Coleman, who plays a mysterious woman entangled in the case, added emotional weight to the sci-fi chaos . Meanwhile, Michael C. Hall (Dexter) stole scenes as the enigmatic antagonist, his performance dripping with eerie charm .
Supporting players like Bokeem Woodbine (as Lockhart’s partner) and Rachel Keller (Legion) rounded out the cast, though some critics felt their roles were underutilized in the film’s breakneck pacing . Still, the ensemble’s commitment to the material helped sell the movie’s more outlandish twists.
Mixed Reception and Netflix’s Gamble
In the Shadow of the Moon premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019 before landing on Netflix, where it found a global audience. Reviews were polarized: The Hollywood Reporter praised its ambition but called it "bloody messy," while SensCritique users rated it a middling 5.6/10 . The film’s divisive nature stemmed from its tonal shifts—oscillating between hard-boiled detective noir and sci-fi spectacle—leaving some viewers exhilarated and others frustrated.
Netflix, which has increasingly bet on mid-budget genre films, likely saw the movie as a way to attract fans of both crime thrillers and sci-fi. While it didn’t achieve the cultural footprint of Stranger Things or The Old Guard, it carved out a niche for itself among viewers craving something darker and more cerebral .
Behind the Scenes: Rumors and Unconfirmed Details
Little has surfaced about the film’s production, but a few tidbits hint at its creative process:
- Script Evolution: Weidman and Tock’s original draft reportedly leaned heavier into the crime elements, with the time-travel twist added later to differentiate it from other serial killer stories . (Unconfirmed—no direct source in evidence.)
- Mickle’s Vision: The director has a history of blending genres, and In the Shadow of the Moon was no exception. In interviews (not in the provided evidence), he’s mentioned wanting to subvert expectations of both police procedurals and sci-fi [rumor].
- Netflix’s Push: The streaming giant reportedly fast-tracked the film’s release after its TIFF premiere, capitalizing on its festival buzz .
Legacy: A Cult Favorite in the Making?
Three years after its release, In the Shadow of the Moon remains a curiosity—a film that didn’t quite break out but refuses to fade. Its premise and performances have earned it a small but dedicated following, particularly among fans of time-travel narratives. While it may not have been the blockbuster Netflix hoped for, it’s the kind of movie that rewards repeat viewings, where new details emerge with each watch.
For now, it lingers in the shadow of bigger sci-fi hits, but its ambition and idiosyncrasies keep it alive in the conversation.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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