Monolith

Monolith is a riveting, nail-biting thriller released in 2016. This adrenaline-pumped feature film was directed by the visionary Ivan Silvestrini and showcases an ensemble cast including the talented Katrina Bowden, as well as Krew Hodges and Nixon Hodges. The movie is a gripping narrative that provides an edge-of-your-seat experience from beginning to end.

Monolith places an emphasis on modern technology versus human instinct. The film centres around the story of Sandra (Katrina Bowden), a young mother, and her infant son, David (played by both Krew and Nixon Hodges). The main plot starts to unfold when the two embark on a road trip across the American desert, driving a high-tech, ultra-secure vehicle dubbed as the "safest car in the world" – Monolith.

The car, bearing its name from its large, imposing and rock-hard characteristics, serves as a significant character in its own right. It is a highly-advanced vehicle with the latest cutting-edge security encryption equipped with a touch screen panel, remote connectivity, bulletproof exterior, and an invincible locking system. It's a fortress on wheels that's designed to keep its passengers safe under any contentious situation.

As they drive through the expansive, barren desert, they encounter an obstacle that requires Sandra to leave the car for a few moments. A series of unfortunate circumstances ensues, culminating in Sandra getting locked out of the Monolith, while her son remains securely inside. This creates an unnervingly tense track for the rest of the film, as she desperately tries to regain access to the locked vehicle under the scorching desert heat.

One of the film's most incredible feats is its ability to present an intense survival thriller with essentially just two characters – a desperate mother and a child – and a formidable car in a nearly empty scenic backdrop. The movie takes a deep dive into the efforts of a mother, pushing her physical, mental, and emotional boundaries for the sake of her child. While the narrative is straightforward, the film's intensity and relatability lie in its simplicity and the deep sense of urgency it manages to maintain throughout its running time.

As Sandra, Katrina Bowden delivers a robust performance as she oscillates between her innate instincts and technological reliance to unlock her child and herself from the perilous situation. The emotional struggles and her raw, primal panic are palpable, which helps drive the film and keep viewers engrossed. Krew and Nixon Hodges, even at their young age, manage to convey the innocent fears and bewilderment of a child caught in an unimaginable situation.

The fierce, scorching desert backdrop serves as an essential component to the narrative, symbolizing the characters' sense of isolation and desperation. The cinematography expertly captures the unforgiving isolation of the desert landscape, successfully amplifying the fear and tension of the film. Its unsettling sound design and haunting score further adds to the tense atmosphere.

Moreover, the film smartly incorporates an image of modern society's reliance on technology and how it sometimes can affect us adversely. It intelligently uses the paradox of a super-secure vehicle upending the lives of the very people it aims to protect, throwing light on the dilemma of human control versus technological autonomy.

Monolith is a thought-provoking confrontation between human resilience, a mother’s love, and stark technological dependence. It's a captivating thriller that's taut, heart-rending, and horrifyingly plausible. Monolith is not just a test of physical endurance; it is a journey of resilience, courage, and a mother's unyielding love. It rivets you into place, making the movie experience surprisingly substantial than your regular survival thriller.

The pace of the film keeps you engaged and the emotional trajectory of the characters opens a portal into deep realms of raw human emotions. If you're one to appreciate great performances, stunning cinematography and a tension-laden storyline, Monolith delivers in full measure by brewing a storm in a teacup – or in this case, a futuristic bulletproof car stranded in the desert.