10 Years Later, ‘Moonlight’ Is More Important Than Ever

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Calling Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning film, Moonlight, underrated might seem strange, considering it was a critically acclaimed coming-of-age story. A decade ago, few predicted it would be a serious Oscar contender. In 2016, it was a long-shot indie film. Some might even argue its nomination was simply a way for the awards show to appear progressive, in a year when awards were expected to go to films with mostly white casts.

When Moonlight unexpectedly won Best Picture – following a famous mistake at the Academy Awards where La La Land was initially announced as the winner – it was immediately seen as a sign of progress. This win wasn’t just an honor for Jenkins’ coming-of-age story; it signaled a hopeful future for increased and more meaningful Black and queer representation in film.

We initially believed this success would lead to positive changes in how media and entertainment are made, finally giving a platform to underrepresented stories. However, with only a few exceptions – like the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All At Once – those promises quickly faded. So, what went wrong? And why is it crucial to recognize this shift right now?

‘Moonlight’ Embraces Harsh Realities With Indelible Beauty

Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight is a powerfully complex film, beautifully capturing a world full of contradictions. It explores the idea of chosen family, particularly through the impactful relationship between Chiron and Juan (Mahershala Ali, in an Oscar-winning performance considered one of the best of the 2010s), who acts as a father figure despite dealing drugs. The film also sensitively portrays the challenges faced by Black queer men, showing how harmful societal expectations around masculinity can stifle their self-expression. As Chiron explains in a key moment, he yearns for a life that doesn’t conform to these rigid norms, a desire the film conveys with nuance and emotional depth.

The film is deeply rooted in the genuine experiences of many queer people of color facing difficult challenges. In fact, Moonlight’s honest and sometimes painful truths – presented with striking visuals that also created a dreamlike atmosphere – demonstrated that audiences are eager for authentic stories told in innovative ways.

However, just two years later, in 2018, the film industry seemed to regress. Green Book, a more traditional Hollywood film about racism, won the Oscar for Best Picture. This was the same Green Book – a film criticized for downplaying the realities of racial prejudice, directed by a white filmmaker, and featuring a white character who rescues a Black man, played by Viggo Mortensen.

What Came After ‘Moonlight’ Is a Reminder of the Broken Hollywood Industrial Complex

The film Green Book follows a predictable arc where a white character overcomes his racism thanks to the influence of a Black man, played by Mahershala Ali of Moonlight. However, at its core, it’s a story focused on white experiences, overshadowing Black perspectives. Green Book’s award win felt hollow because it suggested a step backward in the types of stories being told about minorities and who got to tell them. Calling Moonlight underrated isn’t about the film’s quality—it’s about the false hope its win initially offered for better representation in movies.

Seven years after Green Book and nine since Moonlight won Oscars, Ryan Coogler’s new film, Sinners, feels poised to deliver on the promise those films initially showed. Sinners is a historical horror movie – and so much more than that – that tackles the exploitation of Black people and the dangers of cultural appropriation using the imagery of vampires. It also examines the structures and beliefs that shape our society.

I’m completely blown away by Ryan Coogler’s direction, and the acting is incredible – especially Michael B. Jordan playing both Elijah and Ezra. It really makes you think, though, that this film feels different from Moonlight, leaning less into that gritty realism. And honestly, it makes me wonder if that’s why Moonlight didn’t get the full recognition it deserved. It’s hard to say, but it’s something I can’t shake – it feels like a really important question to ask.

Despite receiving a stunning 16 Oscar nominations – the most any film has gotten since Titanic in 1997 – it’s still worrying that Sinners might suffer the same fate as Moonlight, where critical acclaim didn’t translate to lasting impact, no matter the outcome of the awards. That possibility is perhaps the most frightening thing to consider.

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2026-03-14 18:33