Monster

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2:24

Monster

PG-13

2023

2h 6m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

170 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.

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Critics Consensus

Gently devastating in its compassion, Monster is a masterpiece of shifting perspectives that surprises to the end.

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

05/17/2024

3.5/5

This is a psychological drama that provides no easy answers. It uses the Rashomon effect to repeat scenes from different and often contradictory viewpoints.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

05/09/2024

3/5

It would take a hard heart not to be moved by the finale of Monster, and the whole film is a pleasure to watch if you have the patience. Afterwards, though, you might find yourself wondering if so many plot contrivances were really needed.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

03/19/2024

If there are monsters in the story, they're never the monsters that you think they are...

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Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

Aug 19

4/5

Monster is beautifully directed and masterfully written, creating a film that is both painful, emotional, and somewhat tender and sweet in its final moments.

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Anya Couture

Geek Vibes Nation

Aug 10

10/10

It’s a beautiful tale you won’t soon forget.

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Sammie Purcell

Rough Draft Atlanta

07/22/2025

Yuji Sakamoto’s screenplay and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s direction take us through the same events from three different points of view, weaving those perspectives together in a way that elevates a type of story that too often falls into cliched territory.

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Marilyn D

@Marilyn329 Jun 8

Quiet, well-acted, and very human. It’s not flashy, but it stays with you after it ends.

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Len B.

@zwfriv Jun 2

“You were always normal”

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Aurelie M

@RT82664410 May 24

I Loveeee this movie with the bottom of my heart. I lovvveed the cinematography, the acting and the overall vibe of this film. BTW I really hope that Minato and Yuki were reborn again where childhood innocence can exist without judgement and fear.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Apr 6

Irrational circumstances aside, this intricate genre-blending portrait of boyhood’s deviating innocence onto uncharted curiosity gradually resulted from sympathetically fixated justice to an empathetic blossoming that tenderizes the aligned theming to solidifying the underlying awaiting beauty that resonates through mesmerizing merits. (B+)

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing Feb 20

Masterfully directed by Kore-Eda. The storytelling is as good as it gets. A modern day Rashomon. The film unapologetically delves deep into Japan's societal issues. Performances are wonderful throughout. It is beautifully shot and the score by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto is excellent and elevates the viewing experience. What a gem.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Feb 14

Pieced together with great skill, Monster looks at parenting and bullying in Japan.

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Hirokazu Koreeda

Director

Sakura Andô

Saori

Eita Nagayama

Hori

Soya Kurokawa

Minato

Mitsuki Takahata

Hirona

Akihiro Kakuta

Shoda

Monster: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
Producer: Genki Kawamura, Kenji Yamada
Screenwriter: Yuji Sakamoto
Distributor: Well Go USA Entertainment
Production Co: Toho Company
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Brief Suggestive Material)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 27, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $434.6K
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)