Black Moon Rising (1986)

Black Moon Rising is the kind of lean, high-octane 80s thriller that doesn’t waste time explaining itself—it just throws you into a slick near-future chase and lets the cool factor do the talking. Tommy Lee Jones brings a scruffy, charismatic edge that makes the whole ride feel grounded even as the film indulges in glossy tech, neon-night visuals, and a wonderfully overbuilt “high-tech car” fantasy. The action has that practical, crunchy momentum modern movies often polish away, and the vibe is pure genre comfort food: tense, playful, and relentlessly entertaining. If you’re allergic to 80s style and pulpy swagger, it may not convert you, but for action and sci-fi fans it’s a genuine hidden gem that knows exactly how to have a good time.

Black Moon Rising is trying to be a slick, high-concept ’80s chase thriller where a futuristic car and a hot piece of evidence keep everyone running and double-crossing. The problem is it often plays like a routine B-movie on autopilot: the pacing drags, the plot beats are easy to call, and too many scenes feel oddly lifeless for something built around speed and danger. If you’re expecting sharp sci-fi ideas or a genuinely tense cat-and-mouse story, you’ll likely be underwhelmed. But if your bar is “cool car, familiar villains, and background-friendly action,” there’s enough glossy ’80s flavor and a capable cast to make it a decent late-night watch.