Moonless Dawn (2019): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2019, Moonless Dawn is a drama film directed by Harika Abe, running about 60 minutes. “A simple yet breathtakingly beautiful debut that connects existential youth through music” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Adolescence is often fraught with anger and despair, leaving you feeling like you’re swimming in an endless sea of trouble and woe. Moonless Dawn follows three junior high school students in the midst of such difficulties. Kou is adrift in life, with no sense of purpose or direction, Yuka fills the void inside her by dating strangers she meets on the street, and Saki is stuck in the middle of never ending fights between her parents, unable to feel comfortable at home or in school. For Yuka and Saki, music by their favourite artist is a welcome escape from their everyday lives, until one day it is all taken offline. Without a soundtrack to immerse themselves in, the girls seek out the producer and discover life beyond the music. Inspired by the music of the band LOWPOPLTD, Harika Abe’s moody, quiet, and dreamy debut feature contrasts the innocence of youth with the disparate reality of life.

Who’s in it. Moonless Dawn stars Yuzu Aoki as Ko, Yuka Nakao as Yuka, Haruka Echigo as Saki and Kenji Mizuhashi as Ko's father, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Moonless Dawn page.

If you liked it. Fans of Moonless Dawn tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.