Moonwalk (film)

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Moonwalk
Moonwalk Malayalam Movie.jpg
Theatrical Release Poster
Directed byVinod A. K.
Written byVinod A. K.
Mathew Varghese
Sunil Gopalakrishnan
Produced by Listin Stephen
Jasni Ahmed
StarringAnunath
Rishi Kainikkara
Siddharth B.
Sujith Prabhakar
Arjun Manilal
Nikhil Sahapalan
Nainita Maria
Cinematography Ansar Shah
Edited byDeepu Joseph
Kiran Das
Music byPrashant Pillai
Production
companies
Magic Frames
Firewood Shows
Distributed byMagic Frames
Release date
  • 30 May 2025 (2025-05-30)(Kerala)
Running time
116 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Moonwalk is a 2025 Indian Malayalam language film directed by Vinod A. K. in his directional debut featuring Anunath, Rishi Kainikkara, Siddharth B., Sujith Prabhakar and Arjun Manilal. [2] [3] [4] The film was released on 30 May 2025. It received positive reviews from critics.

Contents

Plot

This movie is set in the 80s. A group of friends gets inspired by Michael Jackson dance and style and tries to adopt his trend.

Cast

Release

Theatrical

Moonwalk was shot in late 2020, and the post-production began in 2021. The teaser of the movie was released in 2020, [5] , but the release of the movie was delayed. Later in 2025, Lijo Jose Pellissery and Listin Stephen jointly brought the movie to the theatre. [6] The film finally hit the theatres on 30 May 2025. [7]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film were acquired by JioHotstar and started streaming from 8 July 2025. [8] The satellite rights of the film were bought by Asianet. [9]

Reception

Critical reception

Gopika Is of The Times of India rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Moonwalk is a film that stands out with its theme, performances and simplicity. It can even be called a slice-of-life film, focusing primarily on how dance transforms the lives of a few young men and their families. It also serves as a soulful tribute to Michael Jackson, the entertainer." [10]

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Vinod AK's dance drama serves as a reminder to prioritise theme, concept, story and script over the male lead’s (almost nonexistent) star value." [11]

Vishal Menon of The Hollywood Reporter India wrote, "Moonwalk is a film that simply brims with life in the way that you've been transported straight into someone’s dearest memories. It's the best kind of nostalgia, made with so much love that you can't help but get with the beat." [12]

S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote, "Moonwalk is a heartfelt tribute to a time period and to the breakdancing subculture that ruled the campuses and street venues during that time." [13]

Cris of The News Minute wrote, "Moonwalk owes its title and inspiration to the American king of pop and dancer, Michael Jackson, who managed to sway the film’s protagonists in a faraway Kerala." [14]

Vivek Santhosh of The New Indian Express rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "A heartfelt celebration of passion and resilience, the film captures the spirit of 80s dance and youth with sincerity, despite some familiar storytelling choices." [15]

Divya P. of OTTPlay rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Led by the spirited Sibi Kuttappan, Anunath, Manoj and the rest of the gang, director Vinod AK’s film remains entertaining and engaging from start to finish. Even if you are not an avid fan of breakdance or dance in general, Moonwalk is definitely worth your attention for its honest tale and lively performances." [16]

Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote, "Ultimately, Moonwalk isn't trying to be slick or overly choreographed. It's raw in parts, slow in others, but sincere throughout. And sometimes, that's enough." [17]

References

  1. "Moonwalk (12A)". British Board of Film Classification . 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  2. "Moonwalk trailer: Over 100 newcomers star in dance drama tribute to Michael Jackson. Watch". The Indian Express. 11 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  3. "'നീ അവന്മാരുടെ ഡാൻസ് കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ടോ? ചെയ്യുന്നെങ്കിൽ അതിലപ്പുറം ചെയ്യണം'; മൂൺവാക്ക് ട്രെയിലർ". Mathrubhumi. 10 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. "Lijo Jose Pellissery and Listin Stephen unite for 'Moonwalk', a dance-driven tale of 80s youth culture". The Times of India. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  5. "Moonwalk teaser looks at the 80s' breakdancer teens". The Times of India. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  6. "ലിജോ ജോസ് പെല്ലിശ്ശേരിയും ലിസ്റ്റിൻ സ്റ്റീഫനും കൈകോർക്കുന്നു; മൂൺ വാക്ക് ഉടൻ റിലീസിന്". Mathrubhumi News. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  7. "Moonwalk new release date: This dance movie avoids a clash with Narivetta and Detective Ujjwalan". OTT Play. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  8. "Moonwalk OTT release date: When and where to watch Malayalam's latest dance movie". OTT Play. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  9. "നൂറിലധികം പുതുമുഖങ്ങളുമായെത്തിയ 'മൂൺവാക്ക്'; ഏഷ്യാനെറ്റ് പ്രീമിയർ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു". Asianet News. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  10. Is, Gopika (31 May 2025). "Moonwalk Movie Review: A Heartfelt Tribute to Dance, Friendship, and Michael Jackson". The Times of India . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  11. Suresh, Anandu (30 May 2025). "Moonwalk movie review: This tribute to Michael Jackson is yet another example of why Malayalam cinema soars while Bollywood Struggles". The Indian Express . Retrieved 18 November 2025.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
  12. Menon, Vishal (4 July 2025). "'Moonwalk' Movie Review: A VHS-Era Dance Movie With The Meanest Of Moves". The Hollywood Reporter India . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  13. Praveen, S. R. (31 May 2025). "'Moonwalk' movie review: A heartfelt tribute to the breakdancing subculture". The Hindu . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  14. Cris (30 May 2025). "Moonwalk review: Set in the 80s, this film on break dance in Kerala is enchanting". The News Minute . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  15. Santhosh, Vivek (31 May 2025). "Moonwalk Movie Review: An uplifting dance of dreams, friendship and identity". The New Indian Express . Retrieved 18 November 2025.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
  16. P., Divya (13 July 2025). "Moonwalk movie review: Sibi Kuttappan, Anunath's gang ride the wave to kill it on the breakdance floor". OTTPlay . Retrieved 18 November 2025.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
  17. P. Ajith, Swathi (31 May 2025). "'Moonwalk': A tribute to the 80s, breakdance, and a generation finding its rhythm | Movie Review". Onmanorama . Retrieved 18 November 2025.