The Monster

The Monster is a 2016 independent American horror film directed and written by Bryan Bertino. The core of the film revolves around two central characters: a young girl, Lizzy, played by Ella Ballentine, and her mother, Kathy, played by Zoe Kazan. Aaron Douglas also stars, with appearances from Christine Ebadi and Marc Hickox. The film speaks in a mixture of real-world fears and supernatural suspense.

The story primarily unfolds in a two-fold narrative. The first is a straightforward present-day timeline of the events of a mother and daughter on a road trip, while the other is told through a series of flashbacks that illustrate their tumultuous and unstable past. This narrative strategy allows the audience to build a connection with each character while unfolding layers of their complex relationship and personal arcs.

The film opens with Lizzy and Kathy preparing for a long drive at night. Kathy, her young daughter's sole caregiver, is presented as a deeply flawed human – a woman grappling with life's hardships, scarred by dysfunction, addiction, and a relentless attempt to break the cycle of poor decision-making. It is this bitter, sometimes toxic, mother-daughter dynamic that forms the baseline of The Monster.

Throughout the journey, rigid tensions between Kathy and Lizzy can be felt resonating within the confined space of their old car. The road trip begins to feel like a metaphorical journey through their strained, shadowy relationship as the daylight significantly fades into a backdrop of deafening darkness.

As the situation grows more hostile with each passing mile, an unexpected occurrence rattles their journey.A nondescript, desolate road lies ahead when they collide with an obscure object, leaving their car immobilized, stranded in the middle of wilderness. Now, that should have been an ordinary accident soon begins to unravel into something far more terrorizing.

The horror aspect of The Monster is gradually introduced as they realize that they aren't alone. A hidden creature lurks in the darkness, stalking their every move, ready to attack. There's a seeping dread and tension that starts from this point, escalating the film's atmosphere from solemn drama to palpable horror.

It transitions to a battle for survival as Kathy and Lizzy fight against visible (the lurking entity) and invisible horrors(their tumultuous past). Despite the escalating terror, the narrative maintains focus on their tumultuous relationship and transformation. Much like the metaphorical monsters represented by Kathy's personal demons, this lurking 'monster' becomes a physical embodiment of her attempt to fight her traits, making the film a thought-provoking mix of horror and psychological drama.

Weaved with a fitting musical score and accentuated by stark cinematography, The Monster shows off Bertino’s knack for creating suspense. The balance between the emotional aspects of the narrative and the creatures lurking in the night are meticulously maintained. The isolated setting throughout the second half of the film amplifies the feeling of suspense, making the audience feel as trapped as the characters themselves.

Zoe Kazan delivers a raw, exceptional performance as Kathy. Her portrayal shows the challenging balance of being both the antagonist and protagonist within Lizzy's life. Ella Ballentine, as Lizzy, sheds the innocence of a child and steps into a mature, survival role, displaying a spectrum of emotions too large for her character's age.

Moreover, the very entity, 'The Monster,' remains as mysterious as it is menacing. This creature serves as the linchpin that threads each scene within the narrative. It thus augments a layer of unpredictability and fear into the storyline.

The Monster is not a significant departure from the typical horror film but sets itself apart with its engaging character study against the backdrop of a suspenseful scenario. This unique blend of human drama laced with elements of horror turns an otherwise predictable monster movie into an explorative cinematic piece that delves into the themes of motherhood, dependence, survival, and redemption.

The Monster, with its layered narrative, solid performances, stark aesthetics, and a chilling score, makes it a standout entry in the realm of modern independent horror films. It offers a deeply engaging, emotionally weighted tale that may appeal to not only genre fans but also viewers who appreciate character-driven narratives.

So brace yourself for a psychological and supernatural ride with The Monster, where fear and redemption are profoundly intertwined, driving the film's momentum until its conclusion.