Monster (怪物 (Kaibutsu)) (2023)

[usagicassidy]

This movie was such a wonderful experience that really rewards you spending your time with it. My god, the way the story is delivered, and the passionate relationships between the characters is so sincere. This is a story about a single mom, her young troubled son, and an unconventional teacher - and that's all you should know about this movie before watching it for yourself.

Of every movie I saw in 2023, this is the one that really moved me. At the denouement of the film, my chest was tight and i was literally sobbing. I had to sit through the credits just unmoving before I could go out into the light. Incredibly written, wonderfully acted (the young castmembers in particular shocked me), simply but beautifully shot, I highly recommend this film to anyone and everyone.

As for the Blu-Ray, preordered mine on GRUV (currently has the lowest price I've seen). Am a bit bummed it doesn't also come with a digital code (was going to give to my friend who hasn't seen it) and no special features, even though apparently they do exist on the Japanese version. It's cool that this includes an English dub for accessibility reasons I suppose, but obviously I don't expect really anyone here to watch it in anything other than Japanese. Barebones release but it's SUCH a good movie at such a low price point $15 that it's really worth getting.

I have never seen a Kore-eda film until this one, and I have heard from a lot of people that loved this film still put it a step below something like Shoplifters, which I will have to see. But from the subject matter and how closely it resonated with me, I have a hard time thinking what I would love even more than this. Also as a bittersweet note, if you don't know, this is the legendary Ryuichi Sakamoto's final score. A really lovely coda to his work.