“Monsters” has one of the most unexpected endings...Pay close attention to the opening and closing shots, there’s a link between them. When you discover what it is, you’ll be thinking of this unsettling ending for days.

| Nov 10, 2024

Edwards’ direction holds promise, and should major Hollywood studios be searching for fresh unknown talent to helm their next big project, Edwards should be their man.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 3, 2023

Edwards' mastery of atmosphere, wonder and beauty is on show here, all on a shoestring budget.

| Mar 21, 2023

There are few films I've enjoyed as much as Monsters this year. There are even fewer films I wish I hadn't watched so I could watch them fresh from the beginning again.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 25, 2021

The imagery is appropriate, but there is no substance to support it.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Nov 30, 2020

[Monsters] makes us reflect easily on what we would do in the characters' situations and, as part of the overall feel, it gives us the steady course of two people getting to know one another in very credible fashion.

| Original Score: B | Feb 19, 2019

What kind of movie will best describe the Trump presidency for future generations?...

| Jan 23, 2019

Beautifully shot and capably handled, Edwards' cinematic directorial debut is a heartfelt and touching exploration of two well-drawn, troubled characters, which just happens to feature extraterrestrials as a backdrop to the central narrative.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 6, 2018

A special, wonderfully atmospheric achievement.

| Aug 30, 2018

What starts as a great B-movie premise, unfortunately, degenerates into clueless moralism.

| May 23, 2018

While the ending is more than a little too precious, it is a film worthy of multiple viewings and serious contemplation.

| May 16, 2018

Edwards delivers a fascinating drama set against a grim, almost abandoned landscape, where aliens are glimpsed but rarely revealed.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 21, 2017

The best American film about our political reality of 2010.

| Apr 18, 2016

Monsters is a slow-paced road-trip romance that happens to feature an alien-related subplot, offering a nice twist to a tired genre.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 11, 2016

It's a new high in lows, as in lowbrow, low budget and low key. But there's something about it that's hard to shake.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jul 19, 2015

This low-budget and character-driven drama should be applauded for its realistic portrait of a world slowly coming to grips with an alien invasion.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 19, 2014

If you want to make your giant monster movie more of a character study, more power to you, but then the pressure's on to create some truly captivating characters.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | May 12, 2014

Strikingly beautiful effects and atmosphere mixed with some really great direction make for a very well done film.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 11, 2013

Monsters asks greater questions of its audience than the usual special effects yawn-fests.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 28, 2012

If you're interested in engaging storytelling amidst some of the most visually striking cinematography and visual f/x work I've experienced, then I highly encourage you to seek out Monsters.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 10, 2011