Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- claustrophobic
- rain-soaked
- late night horror
- rainy day viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a tightly assembled, atmospheric creature feature whose restrained suspense, grounded performances, and creature effects elevate its simple premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kathy’s neglectful alcoholism and desperate protection of Lizzy are placed alongside the creature threat, making motherhood central to the horror.
The monster remains at the edges of the frame or in shadow while rain, darkness, and flashlight beams conceal its full form.
The stranded car, lonely wooded road, rainstorm, and delayed rescue create a contained survival environment.
Kathy and Lizzy must confront both the creature and the consequences of their dysfunctional mother daughter relationship.
Films like The Monster, and why
The Mist
contained creature horror, vulnerable protagonists, and suspense built through darkness and limited locations
A Quiet Place
parent child survival stakes, atmospheric dread, and a monster threat that exposes intimate human conflict
The Descent
female-centered survival horror, claustrophobic tension, and a threatening creature kept partly obscured
The Babadook
emotionally grounded horror that uses a monstrous presence to explore damaged family relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Bryan Bertino
- Release Date
- 2016-11-11
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (621)
Cast
- Zoe Kazan
- Ella Ballentine
- Aaron Douglas
- Christine Ebadi
- Marc Hickox
- Scott Speedman
- Chris Webb
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Monster about?
- A neglected mother and her resilient daughter become stranded on a rain-soaked forest road where a hidden creature turns family crisis into a fight for survival.
- What is The Monster like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Monster as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Monster violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Monster as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Monster?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a tightly assembled, atmospheric creature feature whose restrained suspense, grounded performances, and creature effects elevate its simple premise.
- Which films are like The Monster?
- Films with a similar feel include The Mist, A Quiet Place, The Descent, and The Babadook.
- How long is The Monster?
- The Monster runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Monster?
- In United States, The Monster is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
