Fantasia Fest 2021: Igor Legarreta’s ‘All the Moons’ (2021) Is A Sad, Poetic Vampire Drama – Movie Review

In films and television, child vampires are often depicted as willful, angry, and petulant. They illustrate an ongoing theme of the difficulties of an immature mind being trapped an eternally young body. But the new movie, All the Moons, directed by Igor Legarreta (When You No Longer Love Me), chooses to go a different route.

Synopsis:

As war rages through 1876 Spain, an orphanage is bombed, and a young girl (Haizea Carneros) is gravely injured. She is rescued by a woman (Itziar Ituño: Money Heist) whom she perceives to be an angel, and who heals her wounds while telling the girl she must now avoid the daylight. She also promises the girl that she will see many more full moons, and when more soldiers attack, they are forced to flee into the wilderness. The two become separated, and the girl is forced to take shelter, facing an uncertain future – one that will last far beyond that of ordinary human beings.

At the start of All The Moons, a group of children huddle an orphanage huddle together in a chapel as gunfire erupts outside. They whimper and pray until an explosion obscures the screen. One girl, Amaia (Haizea Carneros), is found by a woman (Itzair Ituno) and given the gift of immortality. They are soon separated, and Amaia finds herself alone for years. Out of necessity, she finds a way to not only survive but push the boundaries of her limited existence. She becomes determined to find a way back to the living.

This is not your typical child vampire movie. Unlike Claudia in Interview With the Vampire and Eli in Let the Right One In, Amaia in All the Moons doesn’t embrace her immortality or savage nature. She instead deliberately shies away from it. Like most vampire children, she does seek a guardian, but she does so out of the natural loneliness of an orphaned child seeking a parent. She forms genuine, loving, long-lasting bonds throughout the movie.

The acting in this film is exceptional, especially given that this is Haizea Carneros’ first film. She is so natural and calm in front of the camera. Itzair Ituno has a smaller but important role as Amaia’s “mother,” and she does great work.

While All the Moons may not have the gore some viewers are looking for, those who want a deep, thoughtful take on the vampire genre will not be disappointed!