Moon Knight Episode 5 “Asylum” Review - Oscar Isaac Delivers His Best Performance to Date in a Moving Penultimate Episode
If you haven’t read my coverage of Moon Knight thus far, click here to read my critique of the series, plus all previous coverage.
Like the two previous episodes, the story begins right where we left off last week. Heads up: spoilers for the ending of last week’s episode. After last week’s episode, Marc and Steven find themselves in some sort of psychiatric hospital run by Dr. Arthur Harrow.
This dramatic shift in tone and place takes this week’s episode back to the stylings of the first two episodes. The series is no longer concerned with providing the viewer with the more adventurous tone of the previous two episodes. Instead, the series refocuses itself to explore Steven’s mind yet again.
This sharp right turn, as those who’ve read my previous reviews of the series can attest to, is exactly what I want from the show. After more than two dozen movies in this universe and several Disney+ shows, it was time for a new formula. Besides Black Panther and Shang-Chi, I can’t point to an aspect integral to any of the other Marvel Cinematic Universe’s heroes. With Moon Knight, Steven’s mental health is always an aspect of each episode’s story, which should be celebrated.
Something that should also be celebrated is Mohamed Diab’s direction. I wasn’t a fan of his direction on episode three, but his direction here is much improved from previous episodes. It’s a much more focused effort that feels authentic to Steven’s experiences and the circumstances that creates.
How Steven’s mental health is represented in this episode is through him and Marc taking a trip down memory lane. I don’t want to give away the plot, but it’s a fascinating story that forces the two to confront truths about each other’s lives, offering a great deal of emotional catharsis. I’ll stop there, but the writing by Rebecca Kirsch and Matthew Orton is impeccable.
The great direction and writing are highlighted by outstanding performances from Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke. Both actors are at the top of their game here, fighting a war between each other without ever lifting a finger. It’s a battle of the minds, and truly wonderful to see take place.
Particularly, Isaac’s performance in a scene I don’t want to spoil had me in a puddle of tears. I felt Marc’s pain, his inner turmoil about his past, and ultimately understood the reasons for doing the awful things he’s done. Not only that, but I began to understand what Steven means to Marc and vice versa. It’s a complex relationship, with no easy answers. His performance only makes me more excited to see his performance in the finale next week.
Unlike many of the villains of the MCU’s past, Harrow has cemented himself as a villain who is someone that can only be defeated by outthinking him and proving his devotion to Ammit is misguided. This presents itself this week by Harrow challenging Steven’s way of thinking more directly, by forcing Steven and Marc to face their truths about each other. As a result, Hawke’s performance this week is very subdued. Hawke isn’t doing much more than matching Isaac’s energy in the scenes they have together, but it’s still fascinating to watch. Isaac and Hawke are fantastic scene partners, and it only makes me more excited to see what happens next week.
As a penultimate episode to the series, it wonderfully brings all (well, most) of the story threads concerning Steven and Marc to a close, leading the way for what seems to be an exciting finale.
★★★★★
Episodes one through five of Moon Knight are streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.
Until next time!
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