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Monster

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Monster PG-13 Released Nov 22, 2023 2h 6m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 169 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
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Monster

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Critics Consensus

Gently devastating in its compassion, Monster is a masterpiece of shifting perspectives that surprises to the end.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephen Romei The Australian This is a psychological drama that provides no easy answers. It uses the Rashomon effect to repeat scenes from different and often contradictory viewpoints. Rated: 3.5/5 May 17, 2024 Full Review Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) It would take a hard heart not to be moved by the finale of Monster, and the whole film is a pleasure to watch if you have the patience. Afterwards, though, you might find yourself wondering if so many plot contrivances were really needed. Rated: 3/5 May 9, 2024 Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) If there are monsters in the story, they're never the monsters that you think they are... Mar 19, 2024 Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, the film is a puzzle narrative in the form of a triptych that constantly asks audiences to re-evaluate their understanding of characters in order to answer the question: "who is the monster?" A perfect gem of a film. Rated: 5/5 May 15, 2025 Full Review Francesca Steele iNews.co.uk The Japanese filmmaker's latest is an incredibly moving examination of how far gossip can pull us away from the truth. Rated: 5/5 Dec 11, 2024 Full Review Joseph Tomastik Loud and Clear Reviews No matter what your expectations are, Monster is a film that takes them and slowly, meticulously peels them away. Rated: 5/5 Dec 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robson C Saori é uma viúva que cria o seu filho único, o Minato. Ela começa a perceber que ele está tendo um comportamento estranho e apresenta machucados. Ao interrogá-lo, ela descobre que isso poderia ter sido feito por um professor novo no colégio, o Sr. Hori. A partir daí, ela tenta descobrir o que aconteceu com seu filho, levando em conta três pontos de vista: o dela, o do professor e o do seu filho. Hirozaku Kore-eda constrói aqui uma obra de arte. O roteiro monta a sua história sobre esses três pontos de vistas, que não são conflitantes, mas complementares. E tudo é muito bem feito, onde um ponto levantado em determinada história, é explicada na outra. Além de Rashomon, o filme me lembrou de Close e A Caça. Mas, mesmo assim é muito original. Talvez a principal questão levantada no filme, além do bullying escolar, que pelo visto é um problema mundial, seja a versão de uma história que cada pessoa tem. Aqui só entendemos a história completa depois que vemos os três pontos de vistas, pois se ficarmos com apenas um deles, teremos uma história bem diversa da verdadeira. O elenco é primoroso, com destaque a Sakura Ando, que a faz a mãe, desesperada para ter uma resposta e encara uma parede de corporativismo, ao mesmo tempo em que é julgada por ser mãe solteira, e Soya Kurokawa, que faz o Minato e tem que passar todas aquele conflito de emoções e julgamento das outras pessoas. Mas todo o elenco está muito bem. Um filme para pensarmos nessa questão de encontrar a história verdadeira e não apenas pontos de vistas que nos agradem ou incompletos. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/25 Full Review Jonathan K Told in a triptych, this is a touching tale of two boys trying to make sense of their worlds and their feelings. The structure is clever, letting you see things unfold, then fold back in on themselves, just to unfold again like some emotional origami. It's an opportunity to re-examine your assumptions, something you usually don't get to do mid-stream like this. The young actors are very good. And the final shot is quietly moving. It’s a simple story at its core, but told through these shifting perspectives and shaped by what we bring to it as viewers, it ends up feeling way bigger. It’s slow, yes -- methodical, like it's politely asking you to slow down too -- but it will give back to you in the measure you give to it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Helene S incredible. great storytelling, constantly shifting perspectives, leading up to a poignant reveal. highly recommend. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/25 Full Review Kenneth D A simple movie with complex story. Unfolding answer to curiosity. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/29/25 Full Review WOW B A new fave The skill required to tell such a simple story in such a grand and interesting manner is one to be admired. Each character feels very real and sympathetic, along with that the very down to earth set design. The chemistry between each actor was amazing as well; It never really felt as if even one was forced into the storyline. They each held and represented their own purpose in the narrative. The cinematography also greatly enhancing the films attributes. As much appreciation as I have for this film now, I hope to find even more for it in the future! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/25 Full Review Audience Member Lately, Asian cinema has been surprising me a lot, especially low-budget films. It’s exhausting to search for something truly worthwhile among hundreds of soulless releases, where the only apparent goal of those who make them is just profit. Nothing genuine seems to emerge from most recent films. Amid this sea of generic productions, an enlightened soul tweeted about Monster (2023), and I decided to watch it. I have no regrets. The film is transcendental, breathtaking, beautiful, and deeply moving. Easily one of the best I’ve ever seen in my life. Its narrative has so many layers that I could talk about it for hours, and it still wouldn’t be enough. I feel like, even after absorbing every detail, something might have escaped me—there’s always more to discover. Monster is a rare masterpiece. As for the plot, I won’t reveal anything. I watched it without knowing a single thing about it, and I left the session completely fulfilled. To preserve your experience, just watch it. Simply watch it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Monster

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Movie Info

Synopsis When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Producer
Genki Kawamura, Kenji Yamada
Screenwriter
Yuji Sakamoto
Distributor
Well Go USA Entertainment
Production Co
Toho Company
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material|Brief Suggestive Material)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 22, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 27, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$434.6K
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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