Monster
Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
Actors: Sakura Andô, Eita Nagayama, Soya Kurokawa
PlotIn a quiet suburban town, Minato, a young boy, begins to exhibit unusual behavior at school, concerning his mother, Saori. Disturbed by her son's sudden change and erratic actions, she takes matters into her own hands, confronting the school's staff. As she delves deeper, Saori grapples with contradictory accounts from teachers, including Minato's primary teacher, Mr. Hori. The conflicting stories raise questions about what might be happening inside the school and whether her son is a victim or instigator. The situation escalates as external observations clash with her maternal instincts, driving her to seek the truth behind her son's circumstances and relationships.
Simultaneously, the narrative shifts perspectives, exploring Mr. Hori's outlook and challenges in managing not only Minato's behavior but also the dynamics involving other students and the school environment. The complexities of each character's experiences lead to the gradual unfolding of hidden details and emotional undercurrents intertwined with broader themes of perception and reality. Tensions rise as each party struggles with their version of the truth, ultimately pushing them towards an unexpected revelation. Through a layered exploration of misunderstandings, blame, and compassion, the characters find themselves questioning their assumptions about one another, leading towards a resolution that redefines their connections and understanding of what truly underlies their conflicts.
Writers: Yûji Sakamoto
Release Date: 22 Nov 2023
Runtime: 127 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese, English
Home Video Reviews
Monster offers a contemplative arthouse drama with quality Blu-ray visuals, but lacks extras; a must-watch for introspective cinephiles.
Read our review of Monster Blu-ray 怪物 to find out more