In the year 1970, two government officials attempted to remove Aboriginal children from their families. The children managed to escape, one by hiding in a cave. While inside the cave, strange and unexplainable noises were heard, causing the frightened child to scream. Jumping ahead to the present day, the audience follows Sarah (played by Shari Sebbens), a successful lawyer at the peak of her career. She is about to give birth to her second child with her partner, Fergus (played by Meyne Wyatt). Her birth mother, Ruth (portrayed by Tessa Rose), comes to help her prepare for the new arrival. Despite Ruth’s good intentions, it’s clear that Sarah struggles to see her as her birth mother due to a tragic past.
One day, after returning home from work, Sarah goes into premature labour and is rushed to the hospital. While doctors attend to her, Sarah experiences strange visions and tragically dies on the birthing table as her child is born. Miraculously, she is revived, but her doctor gives strict instructions to her and her husband for them to focus on her recovery.
Once back home and adjusting to life as a mother of two, Sarah begins to have haunting visions and frightening dreams of a monster that seems to want her newborn baby. When she shares her experiences with those around her, they assume she is overtired and needs more rest. The only person who appears to understand Sarah’s troubling visions is Ruth, but her approach to helping is not ideal and leads to further conflict. Will Sarah be able to uncover the truth behind her terrifying visions and protect herself and her family?
The Moogai is a horror film written and directed by Jon Bell, who is known for his earlier work, including the original short film of the same name released in 2020. Due to the high praise and recognition of the short film, the creation of a feature-length version was inevitable. The Moogai effectively captures many elements of horror and excels in several areas. Visually, the film is quite strong, and the horror depicted on screen is often creepy and unsettling, especially during Sarah’s unexpected visions day or night. The film’s audio is even more impressive, featuring an outstanding soundtrack (composed by Steve Francis) and remarkable sound effects. The performances are likable and enjoyable, particularly Meyne Wyatt as Fergus and Shari Sebbens as Sarah, who gradually descends into madness and terror.
As a story, I was thoroughly engaged with most of this film. I felt hooked, scared, and deeply invested in the main characters and the horrifying situations they faced. However, while most of the film is captivating, it struggles significantly in the final act, presenting outcomes that are not fully explained. As an audience member, I was left with more questions than answers. The finale also feels much slower and clunkier than the rest of the film, which was disappointing considering how much enjoyment I derived from it.
Overall, I found a lot of enjoyment in The Moogai. With a simple premise, this horror film had many practical elements, such as its sound design, jump scares, and uncomfortable, disturbing moments. A creepy presence that is trying to steal a newborn baby from its family added to the tension. The film took viewers on an incredible journey, with a strong beginning and a solid build-up in the second act leading to the climax. However, I was disappointed by the finale, which felt underwhelming compared to the rest of the frightening experience. Instead of a fantastic conclusion, it was safe, vague, and flat.
The Moogai (2024) is now available on Blu-ray, thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!
Published: 26th April 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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