Moon Knight Review: The Tomb (Season 1 Episode 4)

What could possibly go wrong in the spooky Egyptian tomb?

That’s the question Moon Knight Season 1 Episode 4, “The Tomb,” must ask itself, and the answer is bad things — a ton of very bad things.

The good news is Moon Knight is ready to admit this thriller has the capacity for horror, testing the confines of its campy tones in an unforgiving playground of booby-trapped tombs. Unfortunately, the movie-style pacing continues to sabotage.

In some respects, “Episode 4” fixes many of the weaknesses the previous episode made glaringly obvious.

Arthur Harrow steps up in some big ways. His decision to weaponize Ammit’s intel against Layla is delivered chillingly by Hawke. The dialogue, the look, and even the sandals work the best they have yet.

And how could you not despise Harrow for pulling the trigger on our sweet, stabby Marc Spector? It’s a powerful, necessary display that shows he is willing to go beyond the gods to secure his plan.

It also plays into my theory that Harrow is a clone of Killian from Iron Man 3, so this violent outburst is appreciated. What is not appreciated is how closely Moon Knight is clinging to the Marvel movie formatting.

This episode plays out like the b-fight of the film, separating its characters and relying on reactionary action to get to the twist. As such, it loses touch with its deeper storytelling.

Oh, the Horrors!

We’re over the halfway mark of this season, and it’s expected this darker series will have to up the stakes, but — what the hell, Moon Knight?!

Forget psychological twists and magic hippo gods. The second that thing entered the room crawling, it was over for me. If something makes clicking sounds and has no face, I do not want it in my life.

However, this is the part where I congratulate this series on introducing an exceptional example of how practical horror can be used so effectively. This undead entity’s ominous clicking and offscreen brutalities are elegant in their simplicity.

Given this is a show that relies heavily on CGI, it’s commendable to see a tonal shift recognize the scariest horrors are often the ones we cannot see.

Layla’s War Cry

It sucks that Layla’s big moment has to be so traumatizing, but it puts into perspective how much of a force she is.

Moon Knight does something surprising by forcing Layla to go solo and face an unimaginable creature without Marc/Steven coming to her rescue. The choice to do this not for the plot but for her personal development is commendable.

She fights tooth and nail for that final war cry, whose existence in itself is groundbreaking. To see this woman give off such a primal expression of power grounds her arc in something more profound than superheroes.

The same strength in expression comes when Harrow confronts her.

Layla isn’t a trained assassin, but her intelligence evens the scales as she effortlessly points out Harrow’s condescension. When he attempts to turn her against Marc, Layla chooses to leave before he can reap the rewards of her anger.

She’s been piecing together Marc’s lies for months, and while Harrow’s nudge is confirmation, Layla refuses to play into his hand by revealing her next move. She won’t be a pawn in these mens’ lives, and damn if that’s not everything.

Three Is a Crowd

In the same breath that I praise Moon Knight for showcasing its singular female character, I have to condemn this episode for forcing a completely unnecessary romantic subplot on her.

I preface by saying Marc and Layla are a beautiful, haunting example of how superhero conflict can generate tangible heartbreak. So why would Layla kiss Steven?

It puts a weird Loki/Sylvie strain on Marc and Steven’s co-existence, and it undoes much of the angst simmering between Marc and Layla. Steven has not known Layla long enough to justify this beyond wanting to get back at Marc.

It does create a fun string of interactions escalating from Marc punching Steven in the face to threatening to drown him. The candid moment of honesty where Marc admits relief that Steven told Layla about Khonshu is a nice byproduct.

But given its premature nature, Layla falling for Steven seems like an unnecessary bid for a love triangle we don’t need.

Plot Twist!

Moon Knight‘s game-changing twist is just that, a game changer!

It brings to life a comic book run fans anticipated at a moment when we least expected it. That awakening in the mental hospital is incredibly jarring, and even the most unconvinced fans will need a few beats to get their bearings.

This show’s WTF moment earns that title well by littering Marc’s surroundings with visuals that aren’t quite right. The mental institute illusions easily crumble when you remember Marc was last seen in limbo.

In that sense, I’m disappointed. If you’re going to pull a “none of this is real” ruse, I don’t need the Mr. Robot full-season commitment. But Moon Knight could have benefitted from taking an episode to explore this twist.

Thankfully, the episode finds that wacky storytelling I admire. We get a lovely Rami Malek à la Night at the Museum moment with Steven and Jake trapped in the coffins. However, the cherry on top is the jumpscare with a cuddly cartoon goddess.

Just when you think you have this show pegged, it throws a CGI hippo at you.

That whimsical chaos helps soften the blow of the more difficult storytelling. It also allows Steven’s optimistic outlook to thrive beyond his element because that’s the beauty of that character; he’s always outside his element.

Some dynamics have been rushed for convenience but not Steven and his love for Egyptian mythology. Seeing him in his element and unbothered by those clicking monstrosities is everything we want for him. If Steven is thriving, we’re thriving.

“The Tomb” is a confining, horrific start to the second act of this adventure. It lacks the mythology and conviction this series craves but continues to weave themes of mental health throughout as Oscar Isaac chips away at Marc’s existence.

There’s no telling where Moon Knight will go next, and that’s an exciting prospect for a series that is still sorting out what it wants to be.

—

What did you think of this episode of Moon Knight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

New episodes of Moon Knight are streaming Wednesdays on Disney+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 Moments From ‘WandaVision’ That Are Truly Marvelous