I loved A Monster Calls, and the moment I have to deal with tragedy, this is a film I will come back to.

| Aug 8, 2024

Occasionally janky FX aside, Bayona's film pulls on the heartstrings in the same way Ness' source material does.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 16, 2024

J.A. Bayona’s vision of Patrick Ness’ well regarded children’s book is a wild blend of gothic imagination and fairy tale charm, supported most importantly by an innocent look at grieving.

| Jun 18, 2024

A capably made fantasy bound to draw out a few tears and present a few wowing visuals.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 5, 2022

Individual scenes crackle with flavor, but it's hard to become completely invested in a movie about holding onto life when its creators are so focused on art-directing it to death.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 17, 2021

The effects here don't take you out of the story, they make you even more invested.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 26, 2021

A heartbreaking tale with a nightmarish climax that will be too intense for kids who may get wrapped up in the story. For everyone else it's a fractured fairy tale with real insight and pathos.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 28, 2021

A Monster Calls is a unique film, in the sense that it is honest about life and the unfair difficulties that you go through as a child.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 7, 2021

A Monster Calls may seem like a simple fantasy film, but it goes beyond that to tackle a very real tragedy - losing someone. Word of advice: bring a lot of tissues to this one.

| Jan 2, 2021

Though the film tackles weighty subjects concerning mortality, grief, broken homes, and misplaced anger, its plot isn't particularly unique.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 5, 2020

MacDougall is nothing short of extraordinary here.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Aug 30, 2020

Part of the magic lies in the interpretation each of us can give to the tales because we all have different ways to face our pain. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jul 2, 2020

The viewing experience is unlike most other films with level of special effects. The monster featured here is one of those rare CG creations that actually seems to possess a soul.

| Apr 30, 2020

A Monster Calls is absolutely essential.

| Mar 27, 2020

The animation of the Monster's tales is astonishing, possessing a depth in colour and detail that quite literally takes your breath away thanks their beauty.

| Jan 27, 2020

Overall, A Monster Calls is emotionally moving, visually stunning and filled with terrific performances.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 14, 2019

Those easily prone to tears will most likely be unable to contain their emotions in this methodical drama which could best be described as a family friendly tearjerker.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 3, 2019

It's a shame that A Monster Calls never ties together its fantasy and its reality; that its blunt epiphanies feel like predetermined arrivals.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 30, 2019

The biggest problem of 'A monster Calls' is its lack of subtlety. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Aug 20, 2019

Earns every unflinching ounce of its emotional draw as one of the most profoundly emotional films.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 21, 2019