Monstrous

When examining a film like Monstrous it becomes apparent that a certain group of people will be hit harder by its imagery and subject than others. That’s not to say people outside that group will be unaffected by it, far from it. But the film delves into psychological issues that will be especially poignant for those who have lost a child in their lives. It’s a painful topic that no one wants to or should ever have to experience, yet many have. It can be the source of powerful dramas such as Sophie’s Choice or Ordinary People. When handled well it can paint a picture of emotional distress and despair that will bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened viewer. When done wrong, however, it can leave audiences feeling cold and removed from the protagonist and their plight.

Christina Ricci plays Laura, a young mother fleeing a bad marriage in the 1950’s alongside her son Cody (Santino Barnard). She moves into a rental home in a small town hoping things will settle down for her and Cody but it doesn’t take long before mysterious things begin to happen. Cody begins seeing a dark presence coming from the lake near the house, a monstrous looking woman who stalks him in the night intent on taking him away from Laura. At first Laura doesn’t believe Cody’s fears are anything but his imagination but, as things escalate, she too sees the woman from the lake and she begins to fear it is there to take her son away forever.

It’s basically impossible to discuss this film at any length without going into spoilers about the big reveal so I’m not even going to try. The instigating situation that lead Laura to flee her husband was when she left Cody with him to go shopping and returned to find the boy drowned in their pool. She attempted to resuscitate him but neither her nor the paramedics who arrived later were successful. Since this incident she has suffered a break in reality and invented not only her situation with Cody and her husband but also the timeframe they are in, living in the 1950’s when in reality she’s in the present day. The spirit going after Cody is actually a manifestation of the grandmother come to take Cody to the afterlife, something Laura instinctually fears as it would force her to actually deal with his death.

Director Chris Sivertson and screenwriter Carol Chrest have a difficult job painting this story in such a way as to attempt to hide the big twist while peppering in hints as to what is actually happening. Unfortunately this is done in a clumsy way that gives too much away early. For instance, both Laura and especially Cody, on more than one occasion, place a blanket over themselves in a way that is reminiscent of a Halloween ghost costume. This is done several times when a single instance would have been more effective. When Cody is dropped off at school for the first time Laura watches him as he passes several children playing outside the school, none of whom even glance his way the way kids would when a new kid shows up on their first day. The camera lingers on this shot as if to say, “this moment is important, pay attention.”

Veteran actress Christina Ricci has long since established herself as capable of playing this kind of role. She imbues Laura with a vulnerability that permeates the screen throughout. Her character is charming and appears full of life but just under the surface you can see the tension and stress bubbling up. Late into the film she starts drinking to help cope, something that lands her in hot water with her new job. When confronted about it by her boss she snaps, not all at once but gradually throughout the conversation. This leads her to her finding her son missing when she goes to get him from school and no one there knows who he is. Her panic is palpable, doused only by the crushing reality that sinks in of what really happened with Cody. 

This film is serviceable in its depiction of grief and denial. Christina Ricci is good in this role but the script really lets her down. The mystery becomes obvious way too early to be a surprise when the reveal comes in the final act and the lead up to that reveal is clumsy and marred by awkward staging and effects. As a psychological thriller it’s devoid of any real suspense and as a horror film it lacks scares. That just leaves the drama. The drama is interesting to a point but when saddled with all the obvious clues scattered throughout and nonsensical decision to not only have Laura conjure up her lost son but transplant them both into the 50’s, it wears thin. It’s a short movie but it feels longer than it should. 

This is an intriguing subject to tackle. Unfortunately it struggles in nearly every way to make that subject work as a film. For those going through their own grieving process this might work better but for everyone else it fails to be effective in nearly every way. In the hands of a better script writer this could have worked. Instead it’s middling and lacks any real focus. This makes it a frustrating viewing experience watching it knowing that there is a kernel of greatness here that never gets the chance to germinate.   

Release Date: May 13, 2022

Running Time: 88 Minutes

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Christina Ricci, Santino Barnard, Don Baldarmos and Colleen Camp

Directed By: Chris Sivertson