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Closer to the Moon

Closer to the Moon

2014112 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Director
Nae Caranfil
Starring
Vera Farmiga, Mark Strong, Harry Lloyd, Anton Lesser

A Romanian police officer teams up with a small crew of bank robbers to pull off a heist by convincing everyone at the scene of the crime that they are only filming a movie.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Closer to the Moon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Closer to the Moon streaming on AMC+ and Sundance Now via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Closer to the Moon?

Closer to the Moon earns 6 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Closer to the Moon worth watching?

Closer to the Moon's Midcredits score is the 68th percentile of all films, from 5.7K ratings across 5 sources. 67% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

68th percentile

Better received than 68% of films

76th percentile among Comedy68th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)75th

64 /100

58th percentile of all films

67th percentile among Comedy58th percentile among 2010s

Critics 47 · Audience 65

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.2 — solid but not unanimous.

67% liked it

75th percentile of all films

81st percentile among Comedy76th percentile among 2010s
67% rated it 7–1033% rated it 1–6

Critics 46% · Audience 55%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 9 wins / 4 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

70th percentile

5.7K ratings across platforms

66th percentile among Comedy73rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Budget€4.4M

In euro, not converted to dollars.

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • top-notch cast with strong performances from Farmiga and Strong
  • black humor and ironic tone effectively capture absurdist spirit
  • cinematography and visual craft elevate the film above typical Romanian productions

Detractors panned

  • inappropriately jaunty tone undermines the tragic historical subject
  • historical inaccuracies and romanticized portrayal of real events
  • confusing storytelling with flashbacks that delay inevitable outcome

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

solid performances from leads despite questionable accents

OriginalityDivisive70

unique real-life incident and meta-film approach

AtmosphereDivisive55

too colorful and idyllic for communist-era authenticity

HumorDivisive50

black comedy lands for some but off-key for others

DialogueDivisive45

witty at times but fails to sell characters' motivation

Plot and storyDivisive35

implausible scenes, weak logic behind suicidal robbery

CharactersDivisive35

motive unconvincing, portrayed as frivolous thrill-seekers

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 17 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 33 points higher than US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Closer to the Moon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Food for thought: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something to think about afterwards.

It has a few laughs, swings between moods and leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Food for thought.

Moods
MelancholicAbsurdTense
Heaviest: late
Dark humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.
ToneThe film treats its tragic subject with satirical irreverence, undercutting the grim reality with jaunty comedy and absurd situations.
The rideThe film swings between absurd heist comedy and elegiac tragedy, with the heaviest emotional weight coming in the final act as execution looms.
StructureThe story opens with the heist, then jumps to a year later after capture, and unfolds through the propaganda film reenactment, creating a nonlinear structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

The answer rests on this: Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's satirical approach leaves you pondering the absurdity of the regime's propaganda while feeling the weight of the characters' inevitable fate.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe crew stages a heist as a symbolic act of defiance against the Communist regime, knowing they will be caught and executed, which frames the regime as the oppressive monster they challenge.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfLoyaltyBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Loyalty · 4% of filmsFreedom · 5% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a crew of former Resistance fighters who remain loyal to each other even as they knowingly sacrifice themselves for a defiant act of freedom.
StanceThe film questions the cost of loyalty and sacrifice under an oppressive regime, never fully settling whether the heist was heroic or futile.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score · Laurent Couson
Setting1959 Bucharest, post-war Communist Romania; a bank heist, then a prison and propaganda-film set
MusicCouson's score blends Jewish folk motifs with orchestral drama, reflecting the characters' heritage and the period.

Content guide

Is Closer to the Moon okay for kids?

Not Rated

Closer to the Moon is not rated. As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its sexual content at mild (17/100) and drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
needs 3 or more scored categories
not ranked
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Overall standing needs at least three scored categories; this title has 2.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Closer to the Moon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Closer to the Moon?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Vera Farmiga
as Alice
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mark Strong
as Max
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Harry Lloyd
as Virgil
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Anton Lesser
as Holban
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joe Armstrong
as Razvan
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Christian McKay
as Iorgu
Tim Plester
as Dumi
Monica Barladeanu
as Sonia
Allan Corduner
as Flaviu
Martin McDougall
as Prison Commander

Crew

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TMDB's suggestions for movies like Closer to the Moon include Violent Saturday (1955), Heist 88 (2023) and Going in Style (1979).

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