History YMMV / Moonlight2016

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: On paper, ''Moonlight'' is about as niche and indie as you can get - a microbudget ($1.5 million) coming-of-age art film about a gay black man growing up in poverty, featuring an all-black cast with no big name actors. But the sheer positive word of mouth the film generated throughout its release propelled it into mainstream success (including a ''Best Picture'' Oscar Win!)

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: On paper, ''Moonlight'' is about as niche and indie as you can get - a microbudget (1.5 million) coming-of-age art film about a gay black man growing up in poverty, featuring an all-black cast with no big name actors. But the sheer positive word of mouth the film generated throughout its release propelled it into mainstream success (including a ''Best Picture'' Oscar Win!)

** In the last 10 years, identity politics has come into the spotlight, and even before it, movies were made about rough black life in the ghettos. While it is surprising this movie was successful with unknown actors, the premise itself is actually quite popular in modern day Hollywood.

** [[http://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/27/14748584/moonlight-oscar-envelope-meme This image]] of ''La La Land'' producer Jordan Horowitz holding up the announcement envelope to prove that yes, ''Moonlight'' really did win, with different movies and artists, usually ones that are cases of AwardSnub (e.g writing ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'' over ''Film/TheKingsSpeech''), filled in.

** [[http://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/27/14748584/moonlight-oscar-envelope-meme This image]] of ''La La Land'' producer Jordan Horowitz holding up the announcement envelope to prove that yes, ''Moonlight'' really did win, with different movies and artists filled in.

* CatharsisFactor: After all the shit Terrel puts Chiron through, [[spoiler: Chiron finally cracking a chair over him is a sight to behold. There are reports of audience members cheering at the scene]]. [[spoiler:However, this is arguably subverted to the point of becoming a subtle example of YouBastard when we see what horrible repercussions this has on Chiron's subsequent life. It's still unlikely anyone will feel sorry for Terrel, but some may consider the film's subsequent events to contain an implicit {{Aesop}} about violence.]]

* CatharsisFactor: After all the shit Terrel puts Chiron through, [[spoiler: Chiron finally cracking a chair over him is a sight to behold. There are reports of audience members cheering at the scene]].

** Not helping were several news articles accused of [[SpotlightStealingSquad focusing more on]] ''La La Land'' losing the award with only a token mention of how ''Moonlight'' actually won. [[WantsAPrizeForBasicDecency They were especially outraged by a Boston Globe article that said Jordan Horowitz was a hero for simply giving the award to its rightful owner rather than running off into the night with it]].

%%OvershadowedByControversy: Still too early to determine whether Moonlight will be remembered for itself or for the Oscar botch-up.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: On paper, ''Moonlight'' is about as niche and indie as you can get - a microbudget (1.5 million) coming-of-age art film about a gay black man growing up in poverty, featuring an all-black cast with no big name actors. But the sheer positive word of mouth the film generated throughout its release propelled it into mainstream success and many Oscar wins (including ''Best Picture''!).

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: On paper, ''Moonlight'' is about as niche and indie as you can get - a microbudget (1.5 million) coming-of-age art film about a gay black man growing up in poverty, featuring an all-black cast with no big name actors. But the sheer positive word of mouth the film generated throughout its release propelled it into mainstream success.

* AwardCategoryFraud: Was nominated at the BAFTA awards in the 'Original Screenplay' category despite this film being an adaptation of an unpublished play.

* ArmouredClosetGay: "I ain't with that gay shit, but if you fuck with me, I'll give your ass more than you can."
** This and Terrell immediately commenting on how tight Chiron's pants are makes it look as though Terrell was attracted to him but bullied him because he didn't know how to deal with those feelings.

* AwardCategoryFraud: Was nominated at the BAFTA awards in the 'Original Screenplay' category despite this film being an adaptation of an unpublished play.

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: The movie is a deeply personal story of a gay black man who grew up in poverty, potentially driving away audiences that weren't interested in such a narrative.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Is Chiron [[spoiler:on the asexual spectrum, a case of SingleTargetSexuality, or too ashamed of his sexuality to be sexually active with anyone other than Kevin]]? All are possible interpretations.

* TearJerker: SO MUCH.
** [[spoiler: Paula's last dialogue with Chiron in the film]]
-->[[spoiler: '''Paula:''' You ain't got to love me, but you gonna know that I love you.]]
** [[spoiler: The final shot of Kevin hugging Chiron, after Chiron admits he still loves him.]]
-->[[spoiler: '''Chiron:''' You're the only man who's ever touched me.]]

** Tensions between fans ''skyrocketed'' when an envelope mix-up at the Oscars resulted in the ''La La Land'' crew almost taking home ''Moonlight'''s Best Picture trophy.[[note]]When the time came for Creator/WarrenBeatty and Faye Dunaway to announce the Best Picture winner, a stagehand accidentally handed Beatty the second copy of the envelope containing the Best Actress recipient's name and movie. After Beatty found Creator/EmmaStone's name in the envelope, the confused speaker (Stone had already collected her Oscar, and the first copy of the Best Actress envelope, earlier that evening) passed it to Dunaway, who proceeded to read "''La La Land''" aloud into the microphone. That movie's crew had already either started or finished delivering their acceptance speeches by the time the envelope listing ''Moonlight'' as the true Best Picture victor reached the podium.[[/note]] The accidental symbolism of the moment was not [[http://www.thefader.com/2017/02/27/moonlight-oscars-la-la-land-best-picture-winner lost]] on some viewers.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Is Chiron on the asexual spectrum, a case of SingleTargetSexuality, or too ashamed of his sexuality to be sexually active? All are possible interpretations.

* LGBTFanbase: Unsurprising considering the movie is in some ways ComingOutStory, but ''Moonlight'''s success was viewed by many Black and LGBTQ people as an enormously validating moment, showing that stories about those communities could break into the mainstream and win the film world's highest honor.

* TheWoobie: Chiron, especially as a child and a teenager.

** Not helping were several news articles accused of [[SpotlightStealingSquad focusing more on]] ''La La Land'' losing the award with only a token mention of how ''Moonlight'' actually won. They were especially outraged by a Boston Globe article that said Jordan Horowitz was a hero for simply giving the award to its rightful owner rather than running off into the night with it.

** [[http://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/27/14748584/moonlight-oscar-envelope-meme This image]] of ''La La Land'' producer Fred Berger holding up the announcement envelope to prove that yes, ''Moonlight'' really did win, with different movies and artists filled in.

* SleeperHit: The movie went from a complete unknown, but it's managed to make 17 times its budget at the box office. Of course, given [[NoBudget its budget]] that isn't as impressive as it sounds, but it's still quite the financial success.

* FandomRivalry: A big one between ''Moonlight'' and ''LaLaLand''

** Tensions between fans ''skyrocketed'' when an envelope mix-up at the UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s resulted in the ''La La Land'' crew almost taking home ''Moonlight'''s Best Picture trophy.[[note]]When the time came for Creator/WarrenBeatty and Faye Dunaway to announce the Best Picture winner, a stagehand accidentally handed Beatty the second copy of the envelope containing the Best Actress recipient's name and movie. After Beatty found Creator/EmmaStone's name in the envelope, the confused speaker (Stone had already collected her Oscar, and the first copy of the Best Actress envelope, earlier that evening) passed it to Dunaway, who proceeded to read "''La La Land''" aloud into the microphone. That movie's crew had already either started or finished delivering their acceptance speeches by the time the envelope listing ''Moonlight'' as the true Best Picture victor reached the podium.[[/note]] The accidental symbolism of the moment was not [[http://www.thefader.com/2017/02/27/moonlight-oscars-la-la-land-best-picture-winner lost]] on some viewers.