Moonlight: How Internal Transformation Goes Visible

Moonlight (2016, Barry Jankins) has a remarkable plot showing how a character can visibly transform on screen. However, the transformation is not only related to appearance but also entitles a deeper change in the main character, namely: Chiron’s hard journey of self-discovery.

The film is divided into 3 chapters which resemble the main character’s phases in life: childhood, teenage years and adulthood.

Chapter 1: Little

As the chapter title suggests, Chiron’s childhood and background are thoroughly introduced in this chapter. An important person in his life other than his mother is Juan, who welcomes Chiron into his home at times of trouble. Note this character because he will have a deep impact on the visible transformation of Chiron in Chapter 3.

Chapter 2: Chiron

The name of the chapter again suggests that Chiron is going to be going through central events in this chapter concerning himself and his own self-discovery. At the end of the chapter, the character transforms from being passive into an active agent in his life and towards the people around him.

Chapter 3: Black

Chiron looks like a totally different person in this chapter. Visibly he is stronger and resembles Juan in his style with a black beanie and excessive silver jewelry. It seems as though he is trying to fit into a character he does not deeply resonate with on the inside. The film leaves it to us to make that inference.

BONUS

It is not hard to understand why this film won the Academy Awards. Here is an exceptionally aesthetic shot of how Chiron’s transformation is highlighted through the cinematography as well. Notice the difference in lighting and figures showing Chiron from the back in Chapter 2 vs. Chapter 3.

Conclusion

The character transformation in Moonlight not only carries visible annotations but also shows deeper levels of understanding the characters relations as well as the conflict within himself. That is what makes the film so special in that not only do we experience different levels of cinematography on a visual level but also get to see it’s mental affects on a psychological level in the character.

*All screenshots have been retrieved from Amazon.com and can only be used for educational purposes.