Therapist Reacts to Alan's horror short MOONSTRUCK!

Then join ACTOR Jonathan Decker, ACTRESS Shona Kay, and WRITER/DIRECTOR Alan Seawright while they discuss the themes, and character motivations in Moonstruck, the short film they all made last year!

MOONSTRUCK is a horror short about Alan's fears about who he is to his family, what it's like for a mother to deal with a partner who is absent/dangerous, and what it's like when the moon makes people go crazy. So it's a true story that definitely happened. It's actually based on a Reddit writing prompt from about 6 years ago (that Alan thinks also prompted Local 58. But don't quote him on that.)

This short film was made possible by 700 Kickstarter Backers, and a dedicated crew who shot for two nights in March 2022 at the Seawright house, in the middle of the night.

[JonathanDecker]

This video here on CT isn't the full movie. Watch it there then come back here :)

[Ashely]

The scariest part is we are so used to Jono be a safe nonthreatening person and presents in our lives that when his character here is the opposite of nonthreatening there is an immediately visceral reaction of no no no no, not normally, bad

[bananatiergod]

My brain can't process the idea that our therapist cinnamon roll of an internet dad could be this damn scary 😂

[vicdaughtler]

I 100% believe Jono and Alan could bring about a new golden age of youtube sketches if they really wanted to.

[HIRSE]

I mistakenly read "Alan's Monster Film" and I believe it's possibly accurate.

[fugithegreat]

I found it really scary and really heartbreaking when the wife pauses because she's concerned for the husband, after he falls down the stairs and after he gets his hand slammed in the door. She's scared, but her love for him doesn't make her run away immediately, even though she probably should. It's killing me not knowing what is going on with the moon, so the feature film HAS to be made or else!

[andreakenison]

I just want to say everyone did a fantastic job! I am surprised this was Audrey’s first role, she did so good! Can’t wait for the full length version, because I need answers!

[yukiakiba]

I have never watched a jumpscare without noise. That effect on the eyes was chilling, the lack of noise in that moment made me feel frozen for a second, and Jono looks like a mannequin so it made the scene even scarier for me. Really good, love concepts of the Moon affecting people and nature.

[Puckaboo]

I really love the starry curtains still letting through some light. I feel like it is the 'bad' light trying to creep through things that we see as calming.

[TheVioletMaze]

When Jono said, "It will make me happy..." It was like a punch in the gut of bad memories.

[ohkaygoplay]

I don't know why I was laughing when Jonathan turned into full nightlight mode. Maybe because it was Jonathan. He did give off a "get away from me" dissonant feeling that I would never attribute to him. It had a great creepy premise, and the cool palate throughout the whole thing added to the "unknown element" factor. It left so many questions, though!
The little girl who played Miranda did a fantastic job! *applause* (edited: This is your daughter? She did great!)
The musical score was great. The first thing I thought was "Who did this? I love it."
It had some "come join us for ever and ever and ever" vibes. I also agree on Jono's observation that it reminds me of the Birds. Everyone turning at the window to the small 'click' of the window latch was a nice touch of suspense that had me thinking about "A Quiet Place."
The jump scare got me a little, I'll admit that.
I had a hard time switching Jonathan over in my head from "Safe, squishy, trusting, internet dad" to "dangerous feral kreature infected by moon dna."

How did Audrey react to Jono going nuts? Did he scare her on set, or were his scenes shot separate from hers?

Someone pointed out in a tumblr post that horror movies reflect the fears of people of the time. And it's true. What fear does this one represent in society today? A mysterious plague that you can't avoid forever? Something you can't control infecting the whole world, and the only thing you can do is try to protect the ones you love, and survive?

This react video made me miss working on shoots. It must be so satisfying to see something you write brought to life. :) I can only hope to experience that one day.

[gracefay]

This movie was amazing! My dad was an alcoholic and even though he wasn’t violent, but that feeling of helplessness and fear in the face of something that seems inhuman and overwhelming is very familiar.
Great job Jono, Alan and Shona! (and the whole cast/crew)

[tsukikomochizuki]

I love jono’s reaction of seeing his moon eyes he looked so excited I wish I could act like this during scary movies

[saragerardo]

Jono's acting is a great example of why people are shocked when they learn someone is an abuser. We don't know Jono personally, yet we collectively agree he seems like a good person, so if someone accuses him of abuse, it seems absurd. After seeing the movie though, we all were shocked to see a darker side of him. That's exactly how abusers are! Only showing us the lighter side, never the darker, so people tend to not believe the victim of abuse.

[starshineOnme]

A trilogy is on it's way. I'm totally stoked! Yay!!!

[eptck]

i appreciate you for making this video ! i can’t watch horror but i love analysis of it, so this makes it so i can still appreciate your work ^^

[milomazli]

The whole short film started to make sense to me when Alan you said that this kind of represents your fears relating to your connection and influence regarding your family. I think many guys will be able to relate to this. And because the ending is leaving us with shivers on our arms, I will spend a long time thinking about this. Thank you for expanding my horizon and showing me a world I would have otherwise not seen.

[AryonaSamoto]

It's so nerve wracking watching the panic of not knowing if a mother can keep their child safe. It's why I've questioned if I want children so often.

[karaleetdrenduringdragon]

Alan, your kid is a superstar, Shona Kay brought the receipts, and Jono hit the role with everything he had. Brilliant casting. I've been waiting to see what you'd done since you started mentioning this would come. The jump scare got me, totally the scariest moment of the film imo. I knew it was coming but I still didn't anticipate it, Jono's fast walk behind to the window was perhaps his best, most telling moment in all the acting he laid down for us. That need for, fascination with the moon. Seeing nothing but the light. Looking back, that fast move towards the window and the mother/daughter reaction in the moment were all 100% pitch perfect. A ton of exposition done in one second of motion rather than five minutes of dialog. Admirably done from the actors and the crew and props to Alan for choosing the exact right thing and the perfect place for it.

I think, for me, the horror antagonist character of the moon is summed up mostly by the line, 'Just come look. You'll be glad you did.'.. I imagine that is roughly how all addictions start. That thing you have slated as 'non-threatening' and so you do it because nothing bad will happen. Then, bad things happen, but... well, now you NEED it, and it isn't THAT bad... and if it IS that bad, well, it's not like YOU can control it...

For me, that was what the 'moon' as depicted here represents. 'Oh, come on, all our friends are doing it, look at them on the front lawn with their eyes glowing so cheerfully!' Uh huh. This is why we need to have personal defense against peer pressure (not that you are not a good argument for moonies, Jono! lol)

[debkunkel]

Shona was awesome in this. (And yes I watched the full.) Love the 'fill in the blank" feel - definitely what I prefer in horror. Great job all!