Movie Review: Monster and the Consequences of Perspective

Monster (怪物) is a film directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. Released in 2023, it is a psychological thriller that surrounds the relationships between a boy, his mother, his schoolteacher, and one of his classmates: what happens when things are not always as they seem?

The story is explored within each of these people’s multifaceted perspectives, and shows how not understanding the full picture of a situation—coupled with incorrect assumptions—can lead to drastic consequences for everyone involved.

Koreeda’s masterful use of storytelling takes the viewer on twists and turns as the truth is slowly peeled back like the layers of an onion, leaving the viewer on the edge of their seat. What characters say and do always has to be taken with a grain of salt; after all, how do you know they’re being honest?

Overall, this is one of my favourite films I’ve seen this year, and potentially of all time. It is difficult to recommend a film so nuanced without spoiling it, so I suggest you see it for yourself!