The Monster

I respect where Bryan Bertino was trying to go with this film, but he falls short. While he does gets a decent start on character development that mostly works despite some overwrought writing and acting, the static set piece and drawn out end battle bleed away any real tension. Flashbacks are overused and ultimately come too late and the well shot and creepy final locations overstay their welcome. Few films are able to pull off this Babadook-esque having your cake and eating it too morality monster mash, and despite a good college try, the Monster fails along with all the others.

Brian Betinos 2008 flick 'The Strangers' was as simple as a film can get, and was well seasoned with some simple character backstory that added to the sense of tragedy and added to the tension of the film. In this film the heavy handed addiction sublot diffuses the tension of the film, and makes it difficult to empathise with the relationship at the core of the film. Its well shot, well acted but I felt myself getting detached from the action early on.

Battling our own fears and weaknesses could be an alternative title to this film. At first the mother seems to be an irresponsible, immature young parent. The child has learned to take care of herself. The acting is extraordinary. The actors excelled in making the audience believe that they were living the story rather than pretending. No matter what the problems in their relationship, as they are depicted through the flashbacks, the bond between mother and her child is and remains till the end very strong. As strong are the mother's addictions, which affect their relationship and their lives. I won't disclose in what way. For me it was an allegory and, in that purpose the director - writer delivered. I recommend it.

They got stuck somewhere between the saint maud symbolic style and "screw it let's just make a monster movie" because I thought for a second they were going to play on the "addiction is a monster" thing but then where would a monster killing a tow truck driver fit in in that so I 86d trying to interpret it in that way and thought to myself "I'll just enjoy a monster movie" and that worked when all else failed so I gave it 6 stars... with that being said dumb decisions are never good... especially when in a life or death situation where you actually have a minute to think about what your going to do instead of just having to do it... but it executed edge of your seat nevertheless.... if you go into watching with more of a monster movie expectation then it's going to suck for you... enjoy yourself watch a horror movie and stop whining...

This film wasn't terrible. It manages to take a very basic "stuck in a car with a monster outside" plot and inject some character into it. But it was by no means great.

The acting was solid. There are some emotional scenes that elevated the film.

The director manages to create some tension and suspense with the atmospheric lighting, camera movements, and shot composition.

The effects on the monster ranged from pretty okay to sometimes looking slightly silly. It's a practical monster instead of CGI, which is appreciated, but it still looks rubber and fake in certain scenes.

The final act of the movie was pretty strong.

The story is very basic. Two people get stranded on a deserted road and a monster from the woods terrorizes them. The film tries to engage the viewer more by making the primary focus of the story about the strained relationship between the mother and daughter and how this terrifying experience brings them together. In some respects this works, but it's not enough to make the story anything more than average at best.

The dialogue was also very shoddy at points and felt unnatural and forced.

Overall, this is a pretty average horror movie. Nothing special or memorable but not bad. Don't expect anything great. Expect a flawed film with an unoriginal plot with some good aspects scattered throughout.

5/10.