When the Moon Returns

Persecuted and hunted by Christianizing forces, young Deirdre and her clan eke out an itinerant existence in the forest. When the threat grows more imminent, Deidre's mother, Brigid, is led by a ritualistic vision to make a transformative choice: she offers herself as holy sacrifice. Many years later, Deirdre and her father, Orson, are all that remain of the clan. Deirdre and Orson embark upon a harrowing and hallucinatory journey to find Brigid, one that will lead them across the threshold of death and far beyond.

Directed by Brandon Colvin, When the Moon Returns leans on a strong ensemble — Yumna Jane, Jesse Samba Wheeler, Sanam Erfani — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 2024.