They Call Us Monsters

Play trailer

1:40

They Call Us Monsters

2017

1h 22m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Legislators debate legislation that allows for adult charges for juvenile offenders.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Feb 2, 2017

2.5/4

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 ...

Go to Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

Feb 2, 2017

2/4

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.

Go to Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Jan 26, 2017

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.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 26, 2020

3.0/4.0

Lear's attention to both bureaucracy and behavior helps to make the film both intellectually satisfying and emotionally resonant.

Go to Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 3, 2019

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.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Feb 8, 2018

C

The film feels like a well-meaning but inadequate knee jerk response to a problem far bigger than the one offered here.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jan 20, 2021

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. .

See more

Mar 3, 2017

An amazing film. It was raw and real and I left truly examaning what else could I do to make a change.

See more

Feb 23, 2017

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...

See more

Feb 23, 2017

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.

See more

Jan 15, 2017

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Benjamin Lear

Director

Allegra Acosta

Actor

Nathan Corddry

Actor

Gabriel Cowan

Actor

Steven Fernandez

Actor

Nora Kirkpatrick

Actor

Untouchable

100%

92%

Untouchable

Watchlist

Bikes vs Cars

60%

55%

Bikes vs Cars

Watchlist

Starving the Beast

94%

%

Starving the Beast

Watchlist

The Most Dangerous Year

91%

100%

The Most Dangerous Year

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Most Dangerous Year

The Prison in Twelve Landscapes

88%

90%

The Prison in Twelve Landscapes

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Doctor Strange, House of Cards, and More on Netflix This Week

Sausage Party, Milk, and More on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

xXx: Return of Xander Cage Is an Absurd but Action-Packed Revival

They Call Us Monsters: Trailer 1

1:40

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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: New Artists Alliance, BMP Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2017
Runtime: 1h 22m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings