Barry Jenkins’s Oscar-nominated film, “Moonlight,” takes audience members on a young man’s journey of self-discovery, causing them to reflect upon who they are.

The film, which was released in October, moves slowly as the audience travels with the characters through their lives with genuine dialogue intimately delivered by a talented cast. The story is told in three parts with Chiron being played by three different actors as they follow his life through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes all perform exceptionally in their portrayals of different stages of Chiron’s life.

Every aspect of “Moonlight” is strong and confident, including the all-star cast. Mahershala Ali, who has been nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, delivers one of the best performances of his career as he portrays a father-figure struggling to help Chiron find and accept himself. With the female acting support of Janelle Monáe and Naomie Harris, the cast is rounded out as a supportive and powerful team. Harris has also been recognized as a nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her part in the film.

“Moonlight” moves far beyond a drama and makes a name for itself as an exploration of the human psyche. It digs into raw subjects such as love and sexuality, innocence and abandonment. The film contains many different themes which are all reflected through the characters and their words. “Moonlight” shares a universal connection with its viewers, as all of us can relate to the terrifying prospect of discovering ourselves and figuring out our place in the world.

“Moonlight” takes a deep look inside humanity. The dialogue is memorable, the characters are complex and its overall aesthetic is both comforting and curious. The true beauty of the movie may not be in the story at all but in the message of self discovery: how we discover who we are is through each other.