A Monster Calls
for thematic content and some scary images.
Reviewed by: Toni Jay
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Fantasy Adventure Drama Adaptation |
| Length: | 1 hr. 48 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2016 |
| USA Release: |
December 23, 2016 (limited—4 U.S. theaters) January 6, 2017 (wide—1,523 theaters) DVD: March 28, 2017 |
child dealing with parent’s illness and death
Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer
What about the issue of suffering? Doesn’t this prove that there is no God and that we are on our own? Answer
Does God feel our pain? Answer
ORIGIN OF BAD—How did bad things come about? Answer
Did God make the world the way it is now? What kind of world would you create? Answer
| Featuring |
Lewis MacDougall … Conor Sigourney Weaver … Grandma Felicity Jones … Mum Liam Neeson … The Monster Geraldine Chaplin … The Head Teacher Toby Kebbell … Dad See all » |
| Director |
J.A. Bayona Juan Antonio Bayona — “The Impossible” (2012), “The Orphanage” (2007) |
| Producer |
Apaches Entertainment La Trini See all » |
| Distributor |
“A Monster Calls” is a cleverly constructed metaphor revolving around its central character Conor O'Malley, and his struggle in coming to terms with his mother’s terminal illness. The Monster visits him at the same time each night, telling him three stories. The creature finally leaves him with an ultimate challenge: he has to tell the fourth tale or else… The story finally culminates in a nightmare, however nothing is what it seems. The nightmare enables Conor to admit to the simplest truth of all.
The tales are allegories of adult truths that the child cannot deal with on a conscious level. The mental challenge for the viewer is to find the link between fantasy and reality. As Conor experiences his own catharsis, the monster is revealed as more friend than foe, and the old truth is explored: no human is completely good.
There is no sex or overtly offensive language used in the movie. There is reference made to Conor being conceived out of wedlock, and a subtle reference is made to the hypocrisy of the church and its clergy. This may influence people to be negative towards the faith. There are some scary or disturbing scenes not suitable for younger viewers.
HYPOCRISY IN THE CHURCH — “I would never be a Christian; they’re a bunch of hypocrites.”
Jesus once asked someone why he called Him good. He told the man that no one is good except God alone (Mark 10:18). Conor not only has to accept that his mother is dying; he also has to face his own conflicting desires. So often, we want to take on the role of the victim, yet, at times, we are the monster. We are unable to save ourselves. In the end, it is only the truth that sets us free.
“A Monster Calls” is at times dark and disturbing, but so are the issues of our own mortality and fallibility. It is worth watching, with sterling performances by Lewis MacDougall and Sigourney Weaver. There is enough humor to balance moments of sadness and drama, and we are once again reminded that our lives on Earth are temporary. What comes after this is eternal. Like his previous work (“The Impossible”) director J.A. Bayona’s Monster does not disappoint.
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Mild—OMG (2), “By G*d,” “d*mn,” “a**hole” / Sex/Nudity: Minor
Does God feel our pain? Answer
Did God make the world the way it is now? What kind of world would you create? Answer
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
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