Published on March 26, 2026
John Carpenter, renowned for his ability to blend suspense with action, crafted a screenplay for “Black Moon Rising” back in 1980. This script, dubbed as his “my car is stolen and I’m going to get it back story,” languished in development limbo for nearly a decade before its eventual release in 1986. Although Carpenter received a co-writing credit, he was not involved in the film’s production and claims to have never seen it.
Starring Tommy Lee Jones as Quint, a high-tech thief working for the government, the plot follows his efforts to recover a stolen data tape from a corrupt corporation. After successfully stealing the tape, Quint hides it in an advanced hydrogen-fueled car, which is promptly stolen from a nightclub parking lot. In pursuit of the thieves, Quint discovers they are housing the stolen vehicles in a heavily secured twin-tower complex. Thus begins his race against time to reclaim the car—and the pivotal tape it contains.
Despite the promising premise, “Black Moon Rising” ultimately suffers from its direction. While Carpenter’s talents for pacing and engaging characters shine through in films such as “Escape from New York” and “Assault on Precinct 13,” journeyman director Harley Cokeliss does not quite capture the same magic. The film, which is a standard heist narrative, is bolstered slightly ’s solid performance and some commendable car chase sequences.
Jones effectively channels Quint’s world-weary demeanor, making it hard to imagine the character could truly embrace retirement. Linda Hamilton stars opposite him as a car thief who becomes Quint’s lover, sporting an impressive ’80s perm. However, Hamilton’s character lacks the formidable strength she exhibited in “The Terminator,” leading to an unexpected chemistry that feels disjointed on screen—particularly as the film awkwardly transitions from a car scene to an intimate moment between the characters.
The supporting cast features iconic actors like Robert Vaughn, Richard Jaeckel, and Kennan Wynn, but they receive little opportunity to shine. Vaughn, in particular, attempts to infuse some menace into his villainous role, but his character ultimately feels underdeveloped as he obsessively watches videos of Hamilton’s character from their initial encounter.
The film’s highlight arrives during an extended heist sequence that ramps up tension as it builds towards the climax. Although it doesn’t reach the heights of classic caper films like “Topkapi” or even “The Return of the Pink Panther,” it still provides a measure of suspense. For viewers with tempered expectations, “Black Moon Rising” serves as an adequate, albeit lightweight, popcorn movie experience—though one that leaves them wanting more.
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