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They Call Us Monsters

Play trailer 1:40 Poster for They Call Us Monsters Released Jan 20, 2017 1h 22m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders.
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They Call Us Monsters

They Call Us Monsters

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Critics Consensus

They Call Us Monsters is undeniably compelling, even if it can't offer a complete look at the widespread issues it faces.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Howell Toronto Star Tighter editing might have made this a great movie, rather than just a good one. The material is there. But They Call Us Monsters nevertheless helps us better understand the eternal conundrum of family-loving teens who turn into violent threats ... Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 2, 2017 Full Review Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post Even if you agree with the film's argument that teenagers shouldn't be locked up for life when there are other ways to save them, "Monsters" doesn't offer a convincing argument that a screenwriting class is that lifeline. Rated: 2/4 Feb 2, 2017 Full Review Robert Abele Los Angeles Times There's little doubt prison reform needs to address the severe effects of locking up kids for life, but "They Call Us Monsters" feels like a well-meaning skim rather than an impassioned, expertly reasoned plea for mercy. Jan 26, 2017 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Lear's attention to both bureaucracy and behavior helps to make the film both intellectually satisfying and emotionally resonant. Rated: 3.0/4.0 Sep 26, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens A powerful documentary... They Call Us Monsters raises many thoughts for discussion long after the curtains fall and the prison doors slam shut on these juvenile offenders. Nov 3, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The film feels like a well-meaning but inadequate knee jerk response to a problem far bigger than the one offered here. Rated: C Feb 8, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Audience Member Not a bad watch, leaves you feeling sad. All products of environment, if any of those kids were in another setting, things would be different. . Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member An amazing film. It was raw and real and I left truly examaning what else could I do to make a change. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Monsters is a powerful, thoughtful, balanced film that will touch you on an emotional level no matter which way you find yourself leaning. You will leave with new insights and a bit changed... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member This is an entertaining, heartfelt, and deceptively funny story about one of the hidden parts of our society. Anyone who reviews this movie based on how much of an argument it makes for a certain outcome or policy position is entirely missing the point. This is a movie about teenagers in a strange places, dealing with their past, present, and future, and a damn good one at that. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member For me, the "monsters" are the parents in this supposedly "civil society" who cast our youth into the streets and gangs and then punish them for our failures. This is an important very well-done must-see 5-Star documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
They Call Us Monsters

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders.
Director
Benjamin Lear
Producer
Sasha Alpert, Gabriel Cowan
Distributor
Matson Films
Production Co
BMP Films, New Artists Alliance
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 20, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 21, 2017
Runtime
1h 22m
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