Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is about a young woman who comes to her senses in a strait jacket in a psychiatric ward. She uses psychic powers to escape into the wilds of downtown New Orleans where she gets help from a stripper played by Kate Hudson(!?!). They become a team of grifter thieves using Mona Lisa’s abilities and the stripper’s lack of moral fiber.

This is a curious flick with a cool, sexy vibe and a cool, sexy, throbbing, soundtrack. An enthusiastic and yet chill energy that I was really into. The movie tells a decent story but I enjoyed it more for its energetic appeal and fine cast of characters.

Kate Hudson and Ed Skrein give eye-opening performances as low down dirty regular folk just trying to get theirs in New Orleans. They aren’t bad people… they just know a good thing when they see it. I’ve never seen either actor give this kind of performance… think James Franco in Spring Breakers.

The lead is played by relative newcomer Jeon Jong-seo. She plays her character relatively stoic, relatively innocent, and a little hurt. It’s not a showy performance but it was good enough for me to root for her. Her partner is crime is a child played by young actor Evan Whitten who also turns in a smart, knowing performance.

The only problem I had with this flick is structural and script. I’m not sure where it was going and the longer it took to reveal it’s endgame, the more apparent they had some cool ideas but no idea where they were going. And we honestly don’t learn much about Mona Lisa and we don’t have much of a resolution. The movie just kind of ends in, granted, a logical spot but it still feels like I’m left baffled by the point of it all.

But, despite that, I was so engaged with the flick, so enamored by the cast and their acting chops, and so vibeing with the film’s groove that I forgive its lack of direction. It’s a darn good whatever it is…

Score: 86