Actors: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, Scott Speedman, Aaron Douglas
Directors: Bryan Bertino
Rated: R
Studio: LIONSGATE
Release Date: January 24, 2017
Run Time: 91 minutes
Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars
I was excited for the film, “The Monster” due to the use of practical monster effects, which is always exciting for me. “The Monster” is much more than just a creature feature. It is a store of suffering and healing. I honestly missed that the first time seeing this film making it hard to enjoy. But this film redeemed itself for me during second more open minded viewing. The acting is superb from Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine. The creature effects did not let down at all providing an original rather terrifying design. Worth taking a look.
Official Premise: Acclaimed horror filmmaker Bryan Bertino (The Strangers) wrote and directed this suspenseful and scary film, in which a divorced mother (Zoe Kazan) and her headstrong daughter must make an emergency late-night road trip to see the girl’s father. As they drive through deserted country roads on a stormy night, they suddenly have a startling collision that leaves them shaken but not seriously hurt. Their car, however, is dead, and as they try in vain to get help, they come to realize they are not alone on these desolate backroads — a terrifying evil is lurking in the surrounding woods, intent on never letting them leave.
This Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack fails not in its technical merits but in it’s special features. There is only one featurettes called “Eyes in the Darkness”. I would have hoped so much more in the creatures design and the atmosphere, score and director’s commentary on this film. I feel like I could have enjoy aspects of the film more if I got a in-depth discussion of the film and its focused story.