J-Film
1/23
Monster | 怪物
June 2023
126min
Drama, Mystery
In Japanese with English Subtitles
Not Rated
Directed by KORE-EDA Hirokazu
Our next J-Film is Monster, the award-winning drama that unfolds from multiple perspectives.
Kore-eda Hirokazu is amongst Japan's most celebrated contemporary filmmakers, winning the Palme d’Or for Shoplifters (2018) and a Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son (2013). This winning streak continued with Kore-eda's latest feature film which won the 2023 Cannes’ Best Screenplay and received international praise.
This film, Monster, opens with Saori (ANDO Sakura) investigating her son Minato's (KUROKAWA Soya) strange behavior and a troubling incident at his school. As her investigation progresses, Minato's teacher (NAGAYAMA Eita) offers a conflicting perspective on the incident, challenging Saori and the audience. Through multiple perspectives, Kore-eda creates a layered mystery that asks: who is the real monster?
With a haunting score by the late maestro SAKAMOTO Ryuichi and brilliant performances from its cast, Monster is a film you will not forget!
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