Monster Awakens

Granted, I harbored zero expectations to the movie, given the extremely low budget presentation of the movie's cover. Yet, with it being a movie that I had neither seen, nor actually ever heard about, of course I opted to give the movie the benefit of the doubt and check it out.

Writers David Owen Wright and Scout Wright put together a bland and monotonous script that proved to be nothing more than a background noise movie. I mean, I lost interest in the storyline not even 30 minutes into the ordeal, but I kept the movie going, listening to the awful dialogue whilst keeping half an eye on the screen. So yeah, you're most definitely not in for an evening of Shakespearian theater here, should you opt to sit down and watch "Monster Awakens", not that I was actually expecting such from the movie.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, but I can't claim that the acting was particularly memorable or outstanding. I will say, though, that the acting was fair, taking into consideration the premise of the script and the somewhat faulty and poorly written dialogue that they had to work with.

There is a lot of Wright people involved n the movie, not only writing and directing, but also starring in, which leads me to believe that this was a family home video project.

What kept the movie somewhat afloat was the locations that the movie was shot it, because that snowclad forest definitely worked in favor of the overall enjoyment of the movie.

This is definitely not a movie that I would recommend you to waste 74 minutes on watching "Monster Awakens".

My rating of director Ashley Hays Wright's 2024 movie "Monster Awakens" lands on a two out of ten stars.

This movie started with a ridiculous opening scene and continued to disappoint. I think they were trying to add a bit of artistic cinematography, but it ended up being slow, with an unnecessary overdramatic score. The acting was flat and a bit silly, which solidified my rating of "Monster Awakens" at a solid 2. I could go on and drag this out (like the movie does), but I think you get the point by now.

Monster Awakens succeeds where so many modern horror films fail by prioritizing mood and character over cheap jump scares. The first hour is a masterclass in slow-burn tension, with cinematography that turns every frame into a haunting painting. When the creature finally appears, the payoff is spectacular - a grotesque, biologically plausible nightmare brought to life through stunning practical effects. My only complaint is that the middle section drags slightly as it builds its mythology, and some supporting characters feel underwritten. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise an exceptional horror experience. The sound design alone deserves awards, creating an aural landscape that crawls under your skin. The final twenty minutes will leave you breathless.

Monster Awakens is a hauntingly quiet, slow-burning horror that excels through atmosphere and emotional depth. The Maine wilderness setting is cold, desolate, and deeply unsettling - almost a character in itself. As the young woman battles the elements and an unseen monster, we're drawn into her fight for survival. The monster is never overused, which makes every shadow feel threatening. What really struck me was the emotional pull from the father's perspective. His desperation and guilt are portrayed so well, it adds a new layer of fear - not just of death, but of loss. The film avoids typical horror tropes and instead opts for a more human, psychological approach to fear. It's not a blockbuster-style thriller, but that's exactly what makes it effective. It's a quiet scream into a frozen void - and it echoes long after the credits roll.

Monster Awakens is a frustrating near-masterpiece. The technical achievements are undeniable - the creature design, sound mixing, and production design are all Oscar-worthy. However, the thin character development and predictable plot beats keep it from true greatness. You can see every story turn coming a mile away, which undercuts some of the tension. That said, when it leans into pure horror spectacle, it's unmatched. There's one sequence involving infrared cameras that's the most inventive scare I've seen in years. The gore effects are spectacularly visceral without feeling gratuitous. Worth seeing for horror fans, especially on the big screen, but don't expect much depth beyond the surface-level terror.