Monsterland

Monsterland is an exhilarating anthology horror film from 2016, which skillfully threads together different stories in the monster genre with a distinctive narrative style that encapsulates dark humor, drama, gruesomeness, and grisly horror. This ominous movie stars a versatile crew of artists, including Josh LaCasse, Noel Jason Scott, and Cody Goodfellow.

The unique feature of the film Monsterland lies in its anthology style of storytelling, which involves presenting a number of unconnected short films, each painting their portrayal of a world inhabited by monsters. These individual narratives are innovatively stitched together by a common theme; each story showcasing a different aspect, a different perspective of life living amongst these terrifying creatures.

Movie connoisseurs would note the variety of monsters displayed throughout the film. Every single narrative showcases a unique monster; these could range from large, Godzilla-like creatures devastating cities to rather unsettling and eerie human-monster amalgamations. The diverse cadre of directors and writers brings in a fresh perspective to each of these horrifying tales, amplifying the general horror and shock factor.

Within this amalgamation of tales, Josh LaCasse stands out with a compelling performance, portraying a variety of emotions perfectly and by showing a steady character evolution, thereby standing up to the horror elements. Noel Jason Scott shines with his remarkable performance as well, giving depth to his roles, making every scene believable and terrifying. Cody Goodfellow is another crucial element of this ensemble, delivering a heart-rending performance and enhancing the overall grim aura of the film.

The film intertwines these multiple stories in a clever manner - through a character who found refuge in a movie theater during a monster apocalypse. He decides to watch a compilation of horror-documentaries that describe the existence of monsters in different parts of the world. This allows the narratives to flow seamlessly from one storyline to another, thereby providing an immersive and compelling experience to the viewer.

This film is not for the faint-hearted. It provides shock and awe in equal measure with moments that take you off guard. The unimaginable entities, the creatures, and beasts, in all their horrifying glory are brought to life by the impressive special effects team. Like any classic horror film, jump scares, intense music and dramatic tension are the crucial elements composing the chilling atmosphere throughout the length of the film.

The cinematography is something else that should be lauded for its contributions to the horrifyingly immersive experience offered by the film. It supplements the inherent eeriness of the narrative through its dark and gritty portrayal of the world overrun by monsters. The element of horror is further accentified by the dramatic sound-effects and music-score; striking the right balance to maintain the suspense and horror, while not overshadowing the narrative or the performances.

In a nutshell, Monsterland from 2016 is definitely a must-watch for those who find enjoyment in the unpredictable nature of anthology horror films and monster genre. The film brings forward a skilfully designed blend of gruesome narratives packed with suspense, horror, an impressive storyline and commendable performances. The icing on the cake comes from its brilliant execution and ending, making it a memorable addition to the horror movie genre.

Monsterland strikes a chilling note, and that is in no small part due to the work of its talented ensemble cast paired with a creative and exploratory approach to storytelling. If an innovative horror movie that pushes the boundaries of what one could imagine, inclusive of dark humor and grim atmosphere is what you are looking for, Monsterland sure would not disappoint.