Monolith

Monolith borrows the core idea of Tony Burgess's novel Pontypool Changes Everything - as filtered and focused through the film adaptation, Pontypool (which, I would argue is better than the novel, which is needlessly overwritten and self-consciously haphazard) -and takes it in a very different direction. To be more specific about Monolith's story beyond what you've read in Letterboxd or IMDb plot summaries would spoil things. I've read some reviews that don't seem to like the ending, but I think these viewers have missed the point of the movie. It is heavily thematic, rooted in the sins of the past, whether terrible things thought or terrible things done, and the suppression of the related guilt. In one sense, everything in Monolith is overtly symbolic in how it relates to our world outside of the movie; but, within the movie's own world, there is no symbolism and suppressed guilt is literalized, shockingly so in at least one scene, in which a quotation from The Merchant of Venice mentioned at the beginning - "The truth will out" - is physically manifested. In the movie's world each person has their own hidden language - hidden even from the individual them self, or maybe hidden by them.

Well, I am being pretty opaque to avoid spoilers. The movie makes perfect sense within the above context and turns out to be very clever. About 2/3 of the way through I thought the movie was losing itself in a subplot, but no, everything that happens is integral to the story and themes, and essential to where the story ends up. Also impressive is the sustained sense of mystery and suspense, given that there is only one setting and that only one character appears outside of some very brief video snippets, texts, emails, and phone calls. The lead actress has to carry 90% of the movie.

Monolith is an impressive movie. It isn't as opaque or inconclusive has some viewers have said. Being very easy to miss amid the thousands of direct to streaming movies that drop each year, Monolith is worth seeking out for fans of sci-fi drama / suspense. It would make a great double feature with Pontypool.

After a career ending misjudgement, a Journalist uncovers a vague conspiracy theory through her podcast, as she digs deeper, she realises she's closer to the conspiracy than she first realised.

One of those films that you could easily dismiss as mehh, but if you stick with it, I think you may get something out of it. It held my attention all the way through.

Tagged as a horror, absolutely not, in no way, shape or form does this have a single scare, it's more a mystery, with sci fi undertones, you'll be kept intrigued enough, to want to hear the conclusion.

The twist at the end of the film was the highlight, and definitely the most unsettling sequence.

A very competent performance from Lily Sullivan, who carries the film pretty much single handedly.

7/10.

Monolith is a tricky one, an eerie one location thriller that tries a pretty ballsy bait and switch manoeuvre with its ending that I'm not altogether sure about being effective or not. A semi-famous radio journalist (Lily Sullivan) from a wealthy family sits alone in a fancy secluded manor, doing interviews over the phone for her podcast that probes into various obscure conspiracy theories. Her latest fixation is on some shred of evidence over the years that objects of alien origin have somehow made their way into human households, and she tries to track down accounts that back this up. What she really finds is some half forgotten secret closer to home that might even relate to her own past and this is where the film attempts a prompt and jarring turn right into left field that, although fascinating, grounds what could have been a spooky extraterrestrial horror experience into something very, how should I put it, socioeconomic and decidedly "of this world." It's a shame because I felt like the former option would have made for the better, stronger film. In any case it's still creepy, atmospheric, well acted and makes good use of its single location trappings.

Can I honestly urge you to put aside an hour and a half of your life to watch this? No, I don't think so. There's nothing wrong with this film. I am old, and remember radio plays (honest, they were entertaining, and tested one's imagination) and this feels like one of those. There's nothing 'cinematic' about it. It has one idea, and does it quite well. Should you be stuck inside on a rainy day and you've done all your chores, go ahead. You won't regret it. But going for a walk, tidying your house, finishing those jobs are more important.

Well acted, well presented, nicely structured. A good ending (if you've been paying attention to the hints).

This is one of those movies that is surprisingly well done for a miniscule budget and, basically, one charachter on screen.

We have a tendency, these days, to watch movies with other things going on around us, this is not that kind of movie.

It would be great in a cinema but I doubt it will get a release there. Instead, be prepared to set up the room with no distractions, lower the lights and get into it. Remember Blair Witch, you need to be immersed.

If you do that then you will find a good story, well acted, some good clues but not much truly revealed, too early, and a pretty reasonable ending that ties it all together.

Whilst it is scifi, that is all in the concept rather than the action so its closer to a thriller than anything else.

With the cinematography, it was all too mono and dark. I guess they were trying to set a mood but it was the same throughout with no light and shade, just grey. This didn't suit the surroundings of a house with massive windows, in the open, and lost the chance to convey any passing of time from day to night and vice versa. With only one charachter for 90 minutes, it needed something more to vary the pace so they could have done a hell of a lot better with that and it would have driven the story.

If nothing else, I just love the house that the movie is set in.

With all that said, on the whole, it is well worth watching and deserving of a decent rating if it is watched as a movie should be. Its definitely not a 10 but is worth and hour and half of your life.