By Geno McGahee
On January 24th, THE MONSTER will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD from Lionsgate. Written and Directed by Bryan Bertino, THE MONSTER is a throwback film, using several factors that horror fans love and other things that create a better connection to the characters. There are several messages here, but the study of flawed humanity and the ability to salvage it seems to be the most enforced.
Kathy (Zoe Kazan) is divorced and has not been a good parent to her young daughter, Lizzy (Ella Ballentine). There was physical abuse and plenty of drug abuse by both of Lizzy’s parents. This was not a happy home and even when the two get ready to go and visit Lizzy’s father, Kathy has a difficult time climbing out of bed. The child has become the parent and it’s not a role that either welcomes, but neither can avoid either.
They hit the road and the night comes along with much rain. They get into an accident and call out for help, but things start getting weird. A tow truck driver shows up to help but he becomes the feast of a large and bulky, sharp-teethed monster that wants to kill and eat everything it sees. Kathy and Lizzy are trapped in the car and have to make some decisions. They are awaiting an ambulance to save them but the monster is of little patience.
When the ambulance arrives, salvation seems near, but the monster was biding its time and attacks. It now comes down to some survival instincts and some unselfish decisions from Kathy, which is certainly against the grain. Lizzy’s shove into adulthood continues as she battles the monster head on, much like she battled her parents’ addictions and she walks away with a better grasp on things in the end. I’m not sure if the monster was real or not, but if the ambulance and dead bodies are still there, I’m sure it was.
THE MONSTER is a cool throwback flick with great performances across the board, but the performance of the flick had to go to Ella Ballentine. She was incredibly convincing and endearing. She also did well playing weak and strong when the scene suited the mood. I highly recommend THE MONSTER. It had enough fun factor for monster movie fans and enough to think about if you’re watching it for a story.
BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
- “Eyes in the Darkness” featurette
CAST
Zoe Kazan Ruby Sparks, Our Brand is Crisis, What If, TV’s “Olive Kitteridge”
Scott Speedman The Vow, Underworld franchise, The Strangers, TV’s “Felicity”
Ella Ballentine The Captive, The Calling, Standoff
