Under the Autumn Moon

6.6/10 · 1,705 ratings20181h 23mWeirdness 4/10Bingo card

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The premise

While visiting a dude ranch that is a potential acquisition for the outdoor adventure company she works for, an eager candidate for a big promotion discovers what matters most when she reignites her passion for the great outdoors.

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc keeps it from being totally by-the-book.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

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Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • The CEO's management style involves setting up 'secret tests' where he lets employees believe he's going to destroy a family's heritage just to see if they'll object.
  • A high-level corporate executive is fired in a barn for 'lacking soul' regarding a distribution center proposal.
  • The protagonist is a VP of an outdoor gear company who has never been camping or skiing.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 29 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)
Alex McKenna is a Director at Great Frontiers, a massive outdoor recreational goods retailer, though she avoids the very activities the company promotes. When a Vice President position opens up, Alex finds herself in competition with her rival, Ben, who is scouting a new distribution center. Their eccentric boss, Roger Hilton, sends Alex to North Dakota to scout Harmony Ranch, a property owned by siblings Josh and Taylor Ketchum that is facing financial ruin. Upon arrival, Alex is forced to share a cabin with a guest named Jill and has a literal run-in with Josh when she gets tangled in his lariat. Josh is initially hostile toward Alex, viewing her as a 'corporate raider' from a company that doesn't even sell cowboy boots. To prove her company's intentions are honorable, Alex agrees to Josh's terms: she will spend several days experiencing the 'real' ranch, which involves grueling chores like cleaning stables and feeding goats. During this process, Alex reveals she was a competitive equestrian in her youth but quit to ease her parents' financial burden. As she and Josh bond over stargazing and the history of the ranch, Alex also helps Taylor, who dreams of traveling the world but feels tied to the property. When Taylor sprains her wrist, Alex, Jill, and Michael (a returning guest) step in to bake hundreds of pies for the ranch's centennial celebration. The budding romance between Alex and Josh is nearly derailed when Roger and Ben arrive unexpectedly. Ben reveals a plan to demolish the ranch to build a distribution center, leading Josh to believe Alex has been lying to him. However, in a climactic confrontation, Roger reveals that the distribution center plan was a 'test' of character for his directors. He fires Ben for his lack of 'soul' and willingness to destroy the land. Though Roger has already purchased a retreat in Hawaii, Alex saves Harmony Ranch by pitching a new 'Western Outfitting' division for Great Frontiers, proposing a partnership that keeps the ranch intact as a flagship destination. The film ends with Taylor departing to become a corporate chef for Great Frontiers, while Alex accepts the VP role and chooses to stay at the ranch to manage the new division and pursue a relationship with Josh.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Alex is sent to North Dakota to scout Harmony Ranch to prove she deserves a VP promotion over her rival, Ben.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Alex meets Josh and agrees to perform manual labor and ranch chores to prove her company's sincerity in preserving the land.

  3. Midpoint

    Alex rediscovers her love for horse riding and bonds with Josh over his family history and stargazing.

  4. Climax

    Ben and Roger arrive, revealing a plan to demolish the ranch for a warehouse, causing Josh to feel betrayed by Alex.

  5. Resolution

    Roger fires Ben for his lack of integrity and Alex pitches a partnership deal that saves the ranch and secures her promotion.

29 tropes in one movie

We counted 29 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Rating 6.6 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.6567

Higher-rated than 66% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Under the Autumn Moon belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “You should know it's a lariat, not a lasso.”
    — Josh KetchumCorrecting Alex during their first meeting.
  • “Nothing bonds people like tedious labor.”
    — Josh KetchumExplaining why Alex has to clean the stables.
  • “I chose a dude ranch, mainly because of your history with equestrian riding. Our background checks are very thorough.”
    — Roger HiltonRevealing he knew Alex's secret past all along.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Alex McKenna

    Lead

    Director at Great Frontiers

    AmbitiousFormer EquestrianCity-dwellerPrincipled
  • Josh Ketchum

    Love interest

    Co-owner of Harmony Ranch

    Romantic interest and business partner

    StubbornTraditionalKnowledgeable about astronomyProtective
  • Ben

    Antagonist

    Director at Great Frontiers

    Professional rival

    CompetitiveRuthlessLacks appreciation for nature
  • Taylor Ketchum

    Supporting

    Co-owner and Chef

    Friend and future colleague

    AdventurousTalented bakerPragmatic
  • Roger Hilton

    Supporting

    CEO of Great Frontiers

    Boss

    EccentricNature-lovingManipulative (in a testing way)

Questions people ask about Under the Autumn Moon

Where can I watch Under the Autumn Moon?

Under the Autumn Moon is available via fuboTV, Philo, and YouTube TV. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is Under the Autumn Moon?

Under the Autumn Moon runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2018.

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