Watch The Monster

The Monster, a horror-drama film released in 2016, is a joint venture between the United States and Canada. The movie is directed by Bryan Bertino, who is best known for his work in the 2008 movie, The Strangers. With standout performances from Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, and Aaron Douglas, the movie portrays a mother and daughter's struggle to survive against a ferocious monster while dealing with their own emotional demons.

The movie revolves around a divorced mother and her young daughter, Lizzy, who are on their way to visit the girl's father. The mother, Kathy, is an alcoholic struggling to keep her life together, while Lizzy is a troubled youngster who faces issues at school. As they set out on their journey, the two get into an argument, and their car meets with an accident. Stranded in the middle of a deserted road, the two women soon realize that they are not alone in the woods.

The filmmakers use a clever narrative device by showing the first encounter with the monster towards the end of the movie, while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with the suspenseful build-up. The movie deals with themes of addiction, co-dependency, and redemption, alongside the horror elements of the monster attacking the two women.

Kazan's acting stands out as Kathy, the flawed mother. The audience sympathizes with her and her struggles, even as she tries to repair the relationship with her daughter. Ella Ballentine's portrayal of Lizzy is also commendable, as the young actress skillfully captures the troubled youth dealing with her mother's addiction and her own problems. Aaron Douglas is excellently creepy as the tow-truck driver who appears out of nowhere in the middle of the night and adds a layer of tension to the movie.

The Monster's horror elements are more psychological than gory. The use of the woods as the primary setting delivers an eerie atmosphere, and the sound design is outstanding. The director effectively uses jump scares to heighten the tension, and the cinematography makes excellent use of available light sources to create a visual impact.

The movie's climax is a standout and helps it stand apart from other horror movies. The resolution of the monster's mystery gives the audience a sense of catharsis as the emotional undercurrents of the story tie together.

In conclusion, The Monster is a well-acted and finely crafted horror movie that puts more emphasis on building suspense and developing the characters, while using the monster as a catalyst for change in their lives. The movie is a great example of how horror movies can pack an emotional punch while delivering shocks and chills to the audience. Therefore, it's a must-watch for horror enthusiasts who appreciate a well-told story.

The Monster is a 2016 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 69.