If you’re in the mood for some low-stakes, campy cult bizarreness, Cosmic Dawn may pique your interest. Written and directed by Jefferson Moneo, this isn’t your average sci-fi story that’s rooted in imagination and make-believe; this is based on Moneo’s own lived experience. He states, “Cosmic Dawn was shaped by an extraterrestrial encounter I had as a child. Like Aurora in the film, no one believed my story.” Now we’re talking.

Starring Camille Rowe as Aurora, the film tackles an ambitious premise with obvious production quality limitations, but still makes for an enjoyable watch. Aurora was never the same after witnessing the disappearance of her mother by a UFO as a child. The unexplainable paranormal event wreaked havoc on her life. Everyone believed she was crazy, despite knowing that what she saw was true. It isn’t until she meets Natalie (Emmanuelle Chriqui) at a local bookstore that she finally feels seen. Natalie reveals herself to be a member of The Cosmic Dawn, a UFO worshipping cult that all share a common paranormal experience (and a karaoke obsession).

Aurora is skeptical at first but eventually falls in with the cult and its high-powered feminine leader Elyse (Antonia Zegers). Elyse is a visionary, revered by her members in the same way Peoples Temple leader Jim Jones or Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh were admired. It’s not until Aurora is invited to a remote island compound for The Cosmic Dawn retreat that she begins to question Elyse’s motives, sanity, and self.

Cosmic Dawn plays in a nonlinear timeline, jumping very liberally back and forth four years into the future throughout the film. A bit distracting at times, the purpose is to show that Aurora’s integration into the cult happened four years in the past. Even though she has since moved on and distanced herself from The Cosmic Dawn, Aurora soon discovers that she hasn’t really escaped Elyse’s control.

While Jefferson Moneo never explicitly says what he saw as a child that inspired this film, we’re led to believe it was some truly wacky stuff. Camille Rowe embodies a traumatized child turned adult with undeniable magnetism. Even when dressed the same as the other cult members in full-length jumpsuits, Rowe always stands out. As a whole, Cosmic Dawn has a similar The Scary of Sixty-First vibe that feels intentionally trippy and off-center. That’s not a big surprise given that the score is composed by Alan Howarth and features music by MGMT.

One of the big takeaways after watching Cosmic Dawn is the film’s message of discovery and acceptance. Acceptance is a journey that looks different for everyone but staying true to yourself and your beliefs will keep you on the right path. Just be aware that a belief in UFOs may lead you on a direct path to the mothership.

Distributed by Cranked up. 98 mins. Opening in theaters and VOD on Friday, February 11, 2022.