Laura’s (Melissa Barrera) life is at an all-time low. After undergoing surgery to remove cancer, she’s filled with sadness and mixed emotions. Making things even worse, while she is in hospital in recovery, her boyfriend, Jacob (Edmund Donovan), reveals that he is no longer interested in a relationship with her. Given her situation and the need for recovery, Laura’s mother allows her to stay in her home while she travels.
As Laura settles back into her mother’s home, she spends her days indulging in baked treats or crying. The more time Laura spends in her old home, the more she notices strange occurrences, such as flickering lights and noises from the upper rooms. Soon, Laura discovers that she’s not alone in the house. Living there in secret is a monster (Tommy Dewey). This monster has been residing quietly in the home, even during Laura’s childhood. She has vivid memories of seeing him but thought nothing of it then. Initially, the monster is displeased about Laura moving back in, as he had grown accustomed to peace, and now finds the house filled with mess and constant crying.
As time passes, the two begin to enjoy each other’s company. Despite his terrifying appearance, the monster brings out the best in Laura, and she discovers a newfound determination to work on the stage, hoping to win back her old boyfriend. Can Laura get her life back on track with the help of this mysterious monster? And how will she cope with the monster’s charm, playfulness, and kindness?
Your Monster is a romantic comedy film written and directed by Caroline Lindy, who has worked on creating various short films, including Aspirational Slut and Kindred Spirit. It’s also worth mentioning that Your Monster is based on a short film released in 2020, also written and directed by Caroline Lindy.
In this comedy, most of the humour comes from the monster played by Tommy Dewey. His dialogue is witty and delivered with perfect timing. The film is engaging and exciting whenever the Monster and Laura interact on-screen. Performance-wise, I also enjoyed Melissa Barrera in the lead role. She delivered an outstanding performance as her character navigates a whirlwind of personal drama and romance, all while discovering that she is living with a Monster! The comedic and romantic chemistry between both leads is a highlight. Additionally, the Monster’s overall look and makeup design are impressive!
While the film initially captivates with its grand opening, which effectively conveys Laura’s tragic and challenging life, as the story progresses, it shifts the focus to less engaging subplots. A significant amount of time is spent on Laura’s efforts to succeed in her upcoming stage musical, directed and written by her ex-boyfriend—I found the various subplots less engaging and somewhat tedious. The amount of time spent on these subplots detracts from the overall enjoyment. Additionally, there is a strong sense of predictability as the narrative unfolds, culminating in a disappointing ending. The final moments also lacked the reward and satisfaction I hoped for. Of course, opinions about the film may vary among its viewers.
Overall, the performances by the leads, Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey, were solid and compelling. The Monster in the film was a significant highlight, with a humorous and playful nature and impressive makeup design. I loved the film’s opening, but unfortunately, I found some of the subplots less entertaining and sometimes tedious. While it’s a fun journey overall, I found the reveal highly predictable, and the final moments felt less rewarding, given the direction taken. This experience may vary among viewers. If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with a monster, dive into Your Monster.
Your Monster (2024) is Now Available in Australian Cinemas!
FILM SCORE: 6.3/10
Published: 28th November 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
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