Monster

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2:24

Monster

PG-13

2023

2h 6m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

173 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

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

Rated: 3.5/5

May 17, 2024

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

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.

Rated: 3/5

May 9, 2024

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

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

Mar 19, 2024

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Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

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

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2025

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Anya Couture

Geek Vibes Nation

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

Rated: 10/10

Aug 10, 2025

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Sammie Purcell

Rough Draft Atlanta

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.

Jul 22, 2025

Full Review

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Stephen G.

What a Heinous opening act, such an Evil act off the bat, which can only mean the possibility of more Ferocious acts later. Our main characters are quite young, and they're easy prey for those who would do wrong to young people. The Suspense is ramping up, and 1 of our characters is proving to be rather Brave and possibly beyond Desperate at this point in the film. Our character is proving to be Resourceful, and showing rather impressive calm in the situation at hand. Such a Horrible hand they've been dealt, and we hope that they find the strength to Survive and overcome the Evil. This movie plays with your emotions and leaves you with a heavy heavy heart...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

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David O

O filme nos deixa atentos do início ao final, conta a mesma história através de alguns pontos de vista e isso faz todo sentido ao decorrer do filme. O final é incrível!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

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Tomasz B

This just shows how much Charlie Hunnam is an AMAZING actor!!!!! Good stuff!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/25

Full Review

Tom F

A beautifully told story about figuring out how to be a boy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

Full Review

Tyler S.

This may have just became my second favorite movie ever! the twists in each act with the film comprising of 3 main acts. the suspense to heartfelt moments. the pacing, etc. if you have not seen this film I can not express enough on how you need to see this!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Ava S

Monster offers a humanistic look at adolescence, engrossing us with its tender, yet complicated central relationship and the dichotomy between the worlds of children and adults.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

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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)

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