Monster - 2023's Finest Film

 Monster - 2023's Finest Film


Introduction

Amidst the blockbuster giants in cinemas, Monster silently enters the fray and manages to stand strong. Layers and layers are peeled back slowly and ever so gracefully by director Hirokazu Kore-eda, as he explores how different perspectives can warp our opinions. Featuring incredibly strong performances from the cast, and a subtly powerful score from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Monster manages to stick the landing wonderfully after asking for the trust of the audience. If there's one film so far this year that I would have to choose as my "cannot be missed" film, it would be this.


Layered Narrative

I went into Monster almost completely blind, so I was pretty blown away by just how complex and layered this film is. The film makes you think it’s going in a certain direction, but it keeps you guessing with its tight and ever-winding screenplay, making sure that you’re kept on your toes constantly. From the beginning of the film, Kore-eda asks for your trust, and by the time the credits start rolling, you’ll be glad that you gave him that trust. Kore-eda has his hand firmly on the steering wheel throughout the whole film, leaving tiny bits of information that seem like the truth, but takes that truth away later on by presenting new perspectives.


Hinata Hiiragi and Soya Kurokawa in Monster


Message

Kore-eda makes such good use of unreliable narrators in the film to keep you second guessing the characters, which ultimately leads to the question, can you really trust someone by just hearing their side of the story? Through this film, Kore-eda implores us to be kinder, more understanding people as he reflects with brutal honesty just how tough it is to be misunderstood, shunned and blamed as the person on the other side of a pointing accusatory finger.


Cast

In order to pull this film off, a lot is demanded of the cast, and they absolutely deliver. I was immensely impressed by the two child actors who take centre stage; Soya Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi. The two of them carried every scene that they were in to great heights, and the range of emotions that they put on display is just phenomenal. Their relationship is a very integral part of the story, and they managed to play it to perfection to strike the hearts of the audience. Sakura Ando and Eita Nagayama were amazing as well, Nagayama in particular being the standout in the film in my opinion. He is required to do so much in order for him to lose the audience, yet also win them over.


Every member of the cast was excellent


Twisting Genres

Kore-eda also plays around with certain genres, starting off with a serious drama, moulding it into a rainy mystery, and then finally softening it into an emotional finale. The film’s ability to twist and turn so much is one of its greatest strengths, allowing Kore-eda to get his message across loud and clear in an engaging manner.


Score

And of course, none of this could have been possible without the late Ryuichi Sakamoto’s score, subtly making its presence known when the time is just right, tenderly supporting the film. It is incredibly lowkey, but definitely one of the stronger scores of 2023.


The late Ryuichi Sakamoto's work in Monster is subtly powerful


Conclusion

The quiet, subtle beauty of Monster is something that you really have to experience for yourself. Mesmerising and powerful, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s newest film is bound to leave your eyes widened to how society treats certain individuals, and how you yourself treat or perceive certain individuals. This moving masterpiece is my favourite of the year so far for a reason, I promise.

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