The acting!!!
This Drama is so well acted, it blew me away! Probably one of the best I’ve seen. The story/plot is a bit confusing at times. It’s the kind of drama that goes back and forth between current life and past life to build the story. It gives each character involved their point of view on the subject at hand. It is frustrating at times, but only because you want the truth to come out for everyone involved. This is a well written, directed, produced, and especially acted Drama. The child actors have a bright acting future ahead of them! I will absolutely watch this again. I’m sure when I do, I will pick up on things I missed the first time around. I especially liked the ending. When you watch it, you’ll know what I mean. I finished this Drama days ago, but it is still in my head. It’s that kind of Drama. I’m sure all you Drama lovers will know what I mean by that. Some stay with you, and some don’t.Was this review helpful to you?
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"you were always normal"
Monster is one of the most gut-wrenching movies ever. It follows two children, Minato and Hori, who form a close friendship. This is one the most important film I have ever watched. I cried so much after watching this, my tears couldn't stop. What the poor boys went through at such a young age, society telling them they can't be this, they can't love who they want without being happy. Watching this has made me hate society and how much pressure we put on children to act a certain way, not just children but people. We have to act a certain way to deem fit to society. Society is the one that created the monster and they impose rules on what we should do and who we should love. People who created this heteronormative society are the real monsters. The boys did nothing wrong yet society kept telling them they were sick, that they had a pig brain, that they were a monster. They told themselves they were monsters but they weren't, the real monsters were the bullies and hori's dad. I feel heartbroken after watching this. I just want the two boys to be happy and love who they want, I want to tell them that there's nothing wrong with them. That they aren't monsters. I hope watching this movie will encourage others to be accepting and to love each other without restraints. One of the greatest films I have ever watched, I'll never forget his.Was this review helpful to you?
"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense."
How could a movie went from basic and boring mystery, into a heartwarming yet gut-wrenching coming-of-age story? 😭As bits by bits of the mystery gets unfolded through the lens of others, nothing is even more surprising than the third reenactment of the story, where we can finally get to know the truth, the full truth of all the mystery. The last few scenes were unapologetically gut-wrenching and saddening, and also was a typical "up to your interpretations" thing, but this film just made the perfect ending that let me crying at the final scene.
Let me be clear: some people on the internet have complained and trying to reclaim this is a friendship story, rather than a queer coming-of-age story. But I see it differently, your queer friends will see it differently, and thankfully a lot of you–cinephiles–see it differently. Maybe you should check your (queer) friends and I hope they will buy some time to tell you something different that I'd bet you never have to endure. It takes Monster to let us think again who's the true monster of it all.
P.s.: musical composition by Ryuichi Sakamoto feels like his final gift to us, rest in love.
Best Screenplay at 76th Cannes Film Festival (2023)
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Brilliant, heartfelt, emotional throughout
Monster is a movie that sticks with you permanently after watching it. It dives into perspectives filled with guilt, regret, confusion, love and purpose.Genuinely, this was one of the most emotional films I've ever watched in my life. The storytelling relates to so many aspects of being a queer child who is confused, lost, but seeks redemption just because the world doesn't want to be kind to you, and you don't know why. The way in which they weaved through the different perspectives to the very last was a brilliant capture for the why, how, and what.
The cinematography is beautiful and has such a nostalgic atmosphere to it that I can't describe. Basically, if there were no phones-esque feeling. The characters are complex; every single one, void of any one-dimensionality. I felt myself immersed in their environment/s because it was that intimate being in the spectator's seat of everyone's individualities. Of course, the characters couldn't have been brought to life without the incredible acting. I was profoundly amazed at the main child actors' performances. I am glad to see that the cast and crew took very good care of them throughout the filming process, as this is an especially difficult terrain for children to act in. The music was beautiful, and I so wish there was more in some scenes because it put me in awe how delicate and tender the melodies played a role to further enhance the scene. Though I understand and respect the director's decisions; I'm by no means a professional, this is just my personal opinion.
I for sure have an urge to rewatch this movie because I feel like you can't pick up on all the intricacies in just one go, so this is a definite rewatch. Monster is a beautiful movie with a beautiful and very important story to tell. Give it a watch, you will not be disappointed.
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beautiful beautiful beautiful
IM CRYING MY EYES OUT.This movie is really really beautiful, the emotions were portrayed so well and everything was played out amazingly and beautifully. Even small details like the lightning or even some glances here and there matched the storyline and the characteristics of each character.
At first, I thought this movie would be too confusing, since we never really got a hold of what was actually happening, but as time went by I learned how to just be happy with what I knew, instead of worrying about how that would change. My perception of what was happening was constantly changing, but itfelt like an exercise of patience and a way to keep me focused to know the real situation that was going on.
Every actor/actress did an AMAZING job, but I'd like to give a big shoutout to the two little main leads. At their young age, they managed to create a masterpiece and portray emotions with a lot of maturity and didn't hesitate to show the vulnerabilities and feelings of the characters they were playing as if they were their own.
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A beautiful piece that holds 3 different perspectives
Lovingly detailed and accented by an aching score from Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died in March, Monster is one of the finest films of the year, and its structure — like its circle of characters — carries secrets that can only be unraveled through patience and empathy. By cutting things up and showing us the perils of fractured perspectives, the director, demonstrates that compassion is more than just a natural state of being. This absorbing, ambiguously titled movie builds to a moving finish, one that reaffirms Kore-eda’s peerless skill at directing young actors in particular.My Rating : 8.5/10
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who's the monster ?
"se não é para todos então não é felicidade.""quem é o monstro?"
essas duas frases são exatamente o que define o filme como um todo. a felicidade aqui vem da pior forma, que é extremamente passageira, que parece boa demais para ficar durante muito tempo. como se os personagens não merecessem ter acesso, o que chega a ser cruel pois há personagens aqui que definitivamente deveriam ter um acesso ilimitado a ela.
sobre a segunda frase, é o que faz o filme ser tão transformador. toda a construção da narrativa durante o filme é algo hipnotizante de se acompanhar. os questionamentos que são levantados e as respostas que são obtidas a cada novo ponto de vista faz com que o filme seja um deleite de se ver. as nuances entre os personagens e as dúvidas sobre quem fez o que, ou que simplesmente deixou de fazer, e consequentemente os impactos que foram resultados dessas ações levanta um tipo de questionamento de que até qual ponto saber a verdade é o que realmente interessa ? como definir que o que aconteceu nas entrelinhas tem um valor menor do que a verdade?
eu havia visto uns paralelos comparativos com close do lukas dhont, e a minha semelhança favorita é a criação de um mundo que mistura realidade e fantasia em que nada importa além dos momentos que estão sendo criado entre duas pessoas, em que a felicidade parece ser o único sentimento possível e nada externo tem poder ali.
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heartbreaking yet beautiful
This is the most heartbreking movie i've ever seen. I needed a few days to recover from this film. My heart breaks every time I think of the story of these 2 boys, innocent yet such a tough life. I just can't understand the concept of homophobia and bullying. I hope from the bottom of my heart that they are together and live a happy life, but I still had different feelings at the end. the fact that he is exactly lying dead in the bathtub makes me rather think that he died and when he finds him in the bathtub, can't accept it and imagines a story about their happy ending and then he eventually dies too. I also want to note how wonderfully the boys portrayed the characters. This was incredible for such a young age. you could feel all their emotions and experience their pain with them.Was this review helpful to you?
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Not sure about the hype
Got excited to watch this movie because of the high ratings. Didnt watch any trailers or new anything about it before watching. Thought it was going to be a good horror /thriller movie. Was waiting for something to happen....Still very confused about the high ratings or is this what Japan horror movies is about?
It was about 3 different views/stories about their lives. I dont see anything about a thriller or a horror. Maybe a psychological drama.
Still very confused here... The theme is who is fhe monster? As you watch it from 3 different perspectives and then you change your views based on them. Thats why the question is are we the monster?
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SO GOOD
I think the best way to describe this movie is, beautiful but painful.The beauty in every scene, you can literally see the efforts of the actors/actresses and the whole team.
The story is so good and I loved how we can see the differences in the povs.
This is such a great criticism for the society, they're children, they should be allowed to enjoy their childhood without feeling pressure of what the society will say.
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Are we humans or monsters?
This movie didn't make me cry. But, it left a void in my heart. It pains and it hurts as if someone had stabbed my heart. I wish everyone in this world watches this movie irrespective of who they are. It will give a chance for us to destroy our inner demons and become more humane.The story is told from three perspectives: Saori is a single mother who finds that her son is exhibiting strange behaviors lately. Her son Minato admits that he was beaten and abused by his teacher Hori. After this arc, we all tend to blame Hori. Then, we get Hori's perspective - he had always been kind to his students and Minato was injured by him accidentally. However, the whole school and press labels him as an abusive teacher and he is fired from his job. At this point, we audience tend to be indifferent towards Hori and think that he deserves to be hated. But, the real story is hidden behind Minato's POV. Minato has a crush on Yori, a boy in his class. Yori is often bullied by his rude classmates for his girly behavior. Minato is in denial because of the society norms and that causes him extreme stress, to the extent that he starts questioning his existence. Yori is always physically abused by his alcoholic single father, who believes that Yori has a disease and that he is a monster with pig brains. Despite all the bullying at school and the abuse from his father, Yori is very optimistic and gentle. The girls around him are always kind, but the boys give him a tough time. This factor alone shows how women are more matured, understanding and have an high degree of empathy within them. Parallel to all three arcs, we see the cold principal of the school. It is said that she killed her grandchild accidentally and let her husband take the fall, who is currently imprisoned. Whether its true or false is left to our own judgement.
I felt the movie was a huge irony in more than one way. In today's date, where social media is a rage, we don't fact-check everything before we draw conclusions. We only hear the narratives we favor. We don't want to listen to the other sides of the story. In fact, we don't even believe there are other narratives. Lets say, you come across a reel about an actor being accused of a hit-and-run. If you like the actor, you will say he's being framed. If you don't like the actor, you will say he deserves jail. And if you don't know the actor, you just ignore the reel, forgetting the reel quickly. There are many cases where innocent people commit suicide because of the hateful comments on social media. If even one life is lost because of our harsh words, aren't we monsters?
Throughout the film, rebirths are often mentioned, mostly by Minato. The ending leaves us hanging with many possibilities. Again, our perceptions come at play here. There are many hidden messages within the movie. For instance, Yori has become immune to the bullying and abuse because he is so much used to it - he doesn't feel anything anymore. This was revealed through a card game with Minato.
The entire cast were amazing, but the performance of the child actors are impeccable. That was Oscar-level acting. It is isn't easy to act in sensitive topics as a child.
Overall, this movie widened my horizons. It was thought-provoking and an eye-opener. No wonder it won so many laurels, including the Cannes festival.
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Just watch it
Watched it without any hint to what it was about or anything. It exceeded my expectations. A top notch movie.Made me feel goosebumps, the cinematography, the different views showing different perspectives, the acting , everything was top notch. The ending was perfect too, leaves you with your own interpretation. Don't want to give you all any spoiler, just watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
