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A Monster Calls
2016 108 min Spain, United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.7
Fantasy, Adventure, Family
Director: J.A. Bayona
🎭 Based on
«A Monster Calls»
byPatrick Ness
Trailers
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Description
12-year-old Conor encounters an ancient tree monster who proceeds to help him cope with his mother's terminal illness and being bullied in school.
Budget:
$43M
US Gross:
$3.74M
Worldwide:
$47.31M
Starring
Lewis MacDougall
Actor
Sigourney Weaver
Actor
Felicity Jones
Actor
Awards
European Film Awards 2017
— Best Sound
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Production Management
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Visual Effects
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Production Management
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Visual Effects
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Original Score
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Production Design
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Fantasy Film
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Picture
Saturn Awards 2017
— Best Young Performer
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Director
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Sound
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Cinematography
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Film Editing
Goya Awards 2017
— Best Adapted Screenplay
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2016
— SIGNIS Award – Special Mention
Key opinion
A Monster Calls is widely lauded as a poignant and visually stunning exploration of childhood grief and the complex process of accepting loss. While most critics praise its emotional depth and the compelling performances of its cast, some find the narrative focus or tonal maturity to be inconsistent with its family-oriented fantasy branding.
| Acting | Lewis MacDougall delivers a raw and authentic performance that serves as the film's emotional anchor. | |
| Production | The integration of CGI-animated monster sequences and practical live-action filmmaking creates a visually striking experience. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds in delivering a deeply visceral and moving portrayal of a child coping with the impending death of a parent. | |
| Theme | Opinions on thematic depth are divided; some praise its nuanced look at moral ambiguity, while others find the narrative resolution to be shallow or lacking in cohesive meaning. | |
| Accessibility | While many view it as a profound drama, there is disagreement over its target audience, with some critics arguing its dark subject matter makes it unsuitable for younger children. | |
| Originality | Some critics find the director's reliance on stylistic flourishes reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro to be derivative and unoriginal. |