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The Monster

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2:14

The Monster

R

Released Nov 11, 2016

1h 31m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A divorced mother 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 -- a terrifying evil is lurking in the woods, intent on never letting them leave.

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Critics Consensus

The Monster uses its effectively simple setup and a powerful lead performance from Zoe Kazan to deliver a traditional yet subtly subversive -- and thoroughly entertaining -- horror story.

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Kristen Yoonsoo Kim

Complex

The Monster lacks bite in the actual horror department, but like many other good horror films before it (Rosemary's Baby, The Shining), it plays with the anxiety of this very primal fear-the betrayal of the mother.

Feb 22, 2017

Full Review

Justin Lowe

The Hollywood Reporter

A fully realized depiction of elemental fear and desperation, The Monster's modest scale should attract discerning genre fans while establishing a firm basis for potential cult status.

Nov 12, 2016

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

A film like Bryan Bertino's The Monster, featuring a fantastic and fearless performance from Zoe Kazan, feels oddly timely.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 11, 2016

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Makes for an effective experience in which emotional trauma is manifested into a living, breathing terror.

Rated: 3/5

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Jordy Sirkin

Jordy Reviews It

Part creature feature, part family drama, The Monster is a moderate horror film that favors a slower pace.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 2, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

At least the decision to use practical man-in-a-suit effects proves to be far better than CG alternatives.

Rated: 5/10

Dec 5, 2020

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Moon F

This movie will spark any Mother's instincts and is a very emotionally fueled movie. Regrets, Love, Fear, Strength, Bravery, Maturity, Self reliance, Terror, Life. The Monster can be taken many different ways but the way I perceived it was this; Life is full of Monsters, and its a scary world for our kids to grow up in, especially if they dont understand that there are dangers that they will have to face without us. A Mother and a Daughters bond is the strongest in the Universe in my opinion, and this movie shows a broken bond. The Monster shows A Mother reflecting on very bad choices, and also shows just how much lil girls look up their Momma's whether they do wrong or not and that is what made this movie so emotional. Zoey Kazan should have won an award for the real and convincing acting she did in this movie...they both did! Great job! WATCH IT, BUT It made me cry..so take some tissues...:)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Jesse H

Don't know why so many dislike this movie? Just because there is no nonstop action? The horror aspect of it was great. Everyone can relate to being afraid in the woods at night. Also an unimaginable moster makes a debut so makes the guessing and scared aspect a bit better then most. One of the best non cgi movies I've seen. The music is also matched perfectly with this flick. Music has a huge impact, if you don't believe me check out some of your favorites I'm sure you will get the jest of it. Now on to the family dynamics....... WOW. The anxiety lvl brought up between the mother and daughters relationship is emmi worthy and makes the horror aspect better. One of mi favorite not only horror movie but favorite movie in general.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

Full Review

Smackie u

Honestly what a yawn fest. Struggled to stay awake through it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This monster drama horror is okay, very slow paced, kind of relatable especially if you live that kind of life and trying being a single parent. The movie does good job giving a interested enough story for the characters and making feel their mother and daughter relationship. The dark woods they get stick in and rain for the night is pretty eerie and scary and creepy enough that you easliy get intrigued and into it quick. Yes, is a little slow to get started with the backstory with relationship of mother and daughter but if u pay attention it does get really good and ending is okay and acting is not bad. All in all a B+👍👍

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Mick V

A24 fan, this one was different Spoiler… was the beast her father?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Aldis H

Absolute junk. No idea how it's certified fresh. Oh yeah, bought and paid for.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/24

Full Review

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Bryan Bertino

Director

Zoe Kazan

Kathy

Scott Speedman

Roy

Ella Ballentine

Lizzy

Aaron Douglas

Jesse

Christine Ebadi

Leslie Williams

The Monster: Official Clip - The Monster Attacks

2:07

The Monster: Official Clip - Afraid of the Light

1:51

The Monster: Official Clip - Mauled by the Monster

1:51

The Monster: Official Clip - Eating the Mechanic

3:38

The Monster: Official Clip - The Bloody Arm

3:26

The Monster: Official Clip - The Car Crash

1:33

The Monster: Official Clip - Hunted by the Creature

2:33

The Monster: Official Clip - You Can Do It, Mom

2:35

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The Monster: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A divorced mother 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 -- a terrifying evil is lurking in the woods, intent on never letting them leave.

Director: Bryan Bertino
Producer: William Green, Aaron L. Ginsburg, Bryan Bertino, Adrienne Biddle
Screenwriter: Bryan Bertino
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Atlas Independent
Rating: R (Some Violence/Terror|Language)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 9, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.1K
Runtime: 1h 31m

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