Monsters is a 2010 sci-fi/drama about a the aftermath of an alien invasion, where a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the U.S. border.
Monsters is not what you think. While it might kind of fit into the genre per se with a few scenes of said creatures, it is much more a story about characters in a time of absolute change, menaced by a force mostly unseen and misunderstood. Written and directed by Gareth Edwards, who used this film basically as an audition tape for his next film Godzilla, he shot this guerall style, on locations in six countries with no permission, his actors improvising with actual locals. The story follows American photojournalist Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy), who is asked by his boss to find his daughter, Samantha Wynden (Whitney Able), now somewhere in the infected zone of Mexico, where strange, enormous aliens are held behind a huge border wall. Not an action film in the conventional sense, Monsters is a description of those on both sides of the story, and what we learn about our visitors is far from what we believe is happening. A powerful and emotionally-driven story.
THE LAST WORD
A terrific sci-fi thriller with loads of twists that takes the genre is a whole different direction. Great performances and incredible visual effects make this one to see.
If you saw Godzilla (2014) and were disappointed by an absence of said beast, you’ll see why here as the roots of that choice begin with the director here. This is NOT a monster movie like you think it is.