Nov. 15, 2023

Monster

Monster is a fascinating family drama brimming with intricate layers and depth, touching on topics such as bullying, homophobia, dysfunctional family dynamics, unquestioning allegiance to flawed authority, and the spread of rumours through social media. These topics coalesce to structure a profoundly unsettling narrative. By: Wee Yan Ling

Genres: Drama, Mystery & thriller

Distributor: Well Go USA Entertainment

Length: 126 minutes

Producer: Genki Kawamura, Kenji Yamada

Production company: Toho Company

Description

Monster is a fascinating family drama brimming with intricate layers and depth, touching on topics such as bullying, homophobia, dysfunctional family dynamics, unquestioning allegiance to flawed authority, and the spread of rumours through social media. These topics coalesce to structure a profoundly unsettling narrative.

The story unfolds with a building engulfed in flames, spectated by Saori and her son, Minato from a distance. After the incident, Minato begins exhibiting peculiar behaviour. Abrupt haircuts, returning home with one shoe, wielding a water bottle with shards of glass. He attributed his behaviour to his teacher, Mr Hori, as the impetus for his behaviour. Here, the film’s title takes shape, is Mr. Hori the puppeteer, or is there another malevolence at work?

The verdict to this question is far from linear, Kore-eda’s narrative is more about asking questions than supplying answers. However, this is where the director shines through. By communicating through his screenplay rather than the dialogue. Monster possesses the Kafkaesque quality. One instance was when Saori discovers Minato in a desolate tunnel at night, drowned with mud. This perturbing conduct extends to the adults in the film, when Minato’s principal relays a robotic and scripted apology to Saori.

Kore-eda magnificently tuck away information, inviting the audience to make conjectures about the underlying dynamics. He goes back to the opening scene of the blazing building thrice, delivering a different point of view each time, steadily building tension towards an enthralling twist in the end.

Just as one anticipates Monster to delve into the realms of school bullying and the struggles of single parenthood, the story takes an unexpected twist, addressing the delicacy of youth and the essence of human nature.

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