Monster

A film that explores the way a story can change when looked at from different perspectives, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster is an absolutely gripping watch.

Ostensibly a simple and small-scale story of two boys, their respective single parents and their teacher, this film becomes an all-encompassing treatise on everything by the time the credits roll.

Keeping the outline details this small really works for the premise. Relaying the story three times leads to every dropped detail paying off and making sense, seemingly big moments turn to small ones and vice-versa. The character’s motives and actions change and emerge as we play through the scenarios.

It’s hugely rewarding and hugely moving, with care given to every small detail. Every action has a counter and consequence.

As the layers peel away and, simultaneously, get thicker you realise how quickly perspectives can change, how easy it is to assume and how important it is to know the full story.

This is an important takeaway message but the film is told in such an ingenious way and so well that it doesn’t matter. It's gripping, well made and a masterful use of this narrative structure.

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