Monster

R

2018

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

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List

69%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

68%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) a seventeen-year-old honor student whose world comes crashing down around him when he is charged with felony murder. The film follows his dramatic journey from a smart, likeable film student from Harlem attending an elite high school through a complex legal battle that could leave him spending the rest of his life in prison.

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Critics Consensus

Monster would have benefited from a less heavy-handed approach, but Kelvin Harrison Jr.'s performance gives this timely drama emotional heft.

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Roxana Hadadi

Vague Visages

Monster seems like it doesn’t trust itself to connect with viewers without over-explanation.

Feb 7, 2024

Full Review

Kate Erbland

indieWire

Three years is a long time, especially these days, but even in 2018, reviews of the film balked at its gloominess and distracting filmmaking. It has not aged well.

Rated: C+

May 12, 2021

Full Review

Lindsey Bahr

Associated Press

Despite some shortcomings though, "Monster" remains a worthy watch if just for Harrison's performance.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 11, 2021

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Monster is a flawed, but effective drama about race and judgment that is layered between the lines of every level of the law.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 9, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Based on a Walter Dean Myers novel of the same name, “Monster” maneuvers through its sometimes heavy-handed dialogue to deliver a well-meaning and often crushingly effective legal drama.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

There are some decent performances here, and the courtroom tension in the second half is provocative.

Rated: 6/10

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

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Diarra S

Compared to the book it was very disappointing. I don't see the great acting everyone is talking about. I showed this my class after we finished the book. The stereotypically predictable Hollywood casting choices really hurt the story and believability of the the main character. The character is far more interesting and nuanced then portrayed in this terrible film. The whole class was disappointed by the way the film adapted the book.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

Ronan W

Uses incredible camera work and colour design. This movie makes you reflect upon how you view others and on if you were to make the tough decisions made in this film, what way you would have leaned. It makes you question your own morals and beliefs; Therefore I must award it with five stars, stunning movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Prof Dr Raz I

A well-crafted narrative accompanied by visually striking cinematography.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

David C

Great acting by pretty much all involved. Kelvin Harrison rocked. Intense story. Really thought provoking, particularly if you have young ones... or if you had a edgy youth yourself. There but for the grace of god.... Photography/cinematography was excellent. Might be a bit slow and cerebral for some folks, but I highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

Full Review

Samuel Aaron E

This movie made me scared it was too scary. Scary monsoer.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/22

Full Review

Audience Member

The movie was probably one of the best I've seen. Kelvin Harrison Jr played Steve Harmon so good. The acting was amazin. The writing was good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Anthony Mandler

Director

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Steve Harmon

Jennifer Hudson

Mrs. Harmon

Jeffrey Wright

Mr. Harmon

Jennifer Ehle

Katherine O'Brien

Tim Blake Nelson

Leroy Sawicki

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Monster: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) a seventeen-year-old honor student whose world comes crashing down around him when he is charged with felony murder. The film follows his dramatic journey from a smart, likeable film student from Harlem attending an elite high school through a complex legal battle that could leave him spending the rest of his life in prison.

Director: Anthony Mandler
Producer: Aaron L. Gilbert, Nikki Silver, Tonya Lewis Lee
Production Co: Tonik Productions, Creative Wealth Media Finance, Red Crown Productions
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language Throughout|Bloody Images)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2021
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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