Little Monsters

Little Monsters is a 2019 comedy and horror movie directed by Abe Forsythe. The film stars Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o, Alexander England, and Josh Gad. It showcases a glorious blend of horror and comedy elements with intelligent humor, surprising warmth, and some truly terrifying zombies.

The movie is based around the protagonist, Dave, played by Alexander England, a washed-up musician who volunteers to chaperone his nephew's preschool class outing after he takes an interest in the alluring teacher, Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong'o). Dave is shown to be dealing with a complicated breakup and is stuck in a rut, needing a way to break out and find a new lease on life. This outing ends up turning into a nightmare as the class encounter zombies in the midst of what should have been a simple, enjoyable trip.

Lupita Nyong'o plays the character of Miss Caroline, a lovely and dedicated kindergarten teacher. Her character is portrayed as being gentle, kind-hearted, and determined to protect her students at all costs. Nyong'o's portrayal adds depth and sincerity to the character that makes her both relatable and inspiring.

Josh Gad plays Teddy McGiggle, a popular children's entertainer who, along with Dave and Miss Caroline, ends up having to fight off an unanticipated outbreak of zombies. Gad's character is designed to add a comedic touch to the intense zombie-fighting experience, providing a light-hearted contrast to the horror scenes.

The setting of Little Monsters is primarily in a picturesque farmyard that rapidly shifts from a tranquil and child-friendly location to a horrifying zombie-infested nightmare. The cinematography effectively uses this transition to add an element of surprise and terror.

The juxtaposition of the innocent world of kindergarteners and the gruesome world of zombies makes for an interesting narrative, which Forsythe handles with skill. The horror-comedy blend prevents the film from becoming too dark or intense, imparting a fun and engaging atmosphere suitable for a broad audience. Additionally, the unique and refreshing take on the zombie genre distinguishes Little Monsters from other films of the same genre.

One of the compelling aspects of Little Monsters is the character development. Alexander England's Dave is suitably pathetic at the beginning, but his relationship with his nephew and the challenges he faces gives him a chance to grow throughout the movie. The transformation in Lupita Nyong'o's Miss Caroline is a joy to witness as she is pushed to the limits to protect her class. Even the selfish and self-obsessed Teddy McGiggle experiences a surprising amount of character development.

The movie is not only about fighting zombies but also about relationships and self-discovery, with a lot of heart and charm. Its perfect balance of humor, horror, and surprising warmth makes for an entertaining watch. Despite their situation, the characters are seen singing Taylor Swift's 'Shake it Off' and engaging in typical kindergarten activities which adds to their humanizing portrayal and cuts through the tension of the horror scenes.

The visual effects are commendable with an appreciable level of gore, blood, and flesh that's expected from a zombie-themed film, making it enjoyable for horror fanatics. The fine-tuned balance between gruesome and funny adds an extra appeal to the movie.

In conclusion, Little Monsters is an inventive and refreshing take on the zombie genre. It's a charming blend of horror and comedy that accomplishes the difficult task of combining the world of children with horror elements. The performances from Lupita Nyong'o, Alexander England, and Josh Gad stand out and lend the film a sense of credibility despite its comedic undertones. The film offers laughter, scares, heart, and even a ukulele-led sing-along pushing it beyond a simple zombie film.