monster movie japanese (2023) - Thriller Movie
The Japanese juvenile drama "Monster" initially appears to be a sad story about a young boy named Minato Mugino, who might be facing some problems. His mom, Saori, notices small changes in him, like a new haircut and a cut on his right ear. Some of Minato's strange questions and actions make Saori concerned, especially when he talks about receiving a pig brain transplant and sings, "Who's the monster?"
Saori becomes convinced that something is wrong with Minato. After persistent questioning, Minato reveals that his homeroom teacher, Mr. Hori, physically attacked him. Saori takes action and confronts Hori, with the school's principal, Makiko Fushimi, appearing unhelpful.
The story then shifts to Hori's perspective, revealing that Minato hasn't told his mother the whole truth. School bullies, a girl named Yori Hoshikawa, and her withdrawn father also play a role. The principal and Hori's behavior become more complex, adding layers to the characters. As the plot unfolds, we learn more about Minato and Yori, close friends living in their own semi-private fantasy world.
If you just read a quick summary, you might think "Monster" is like a middle school version of "Mystic River," blaming a whole community of closed-off individuals. Luckily, the movie doesn't go that route. It's directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, known for getting the best performances from his actors, especially the younger ones. Kore-eda focuses on revealing details about the characters, like Minato and his mom, Fushimi, and Hori.
But, "Monster" isn't really about figuring out who did what and why. Some things are explained, and a few people are involved, but not everything or everyone. Saori, Minato's mom, isn't painted as a villain even though she jumped to conclusions about Hori and Fushimi. Fushimi, despite giving a kind speech later, doesn't look much better after we know more about her.
%20Thriller%20Movie.jpg "Monster (2023) Thriller Movie")
The movie, like a nesting doll, makes you want to judge or maybe feel the heavy emotions the characters are going through. It questions who really knew or saw everything and why didn't everyone respond better. What's impressive about Kore-eda's work in "Monster" is how he pays close attention to the mood and creates a believable subjective reality.
With Kore-eda's usual touch, the question "Who's the monster?" in "Monster" might mislead you because, as we discover, there's nothing inherently more or less real about Minato, Yori, or their teacher once we understand their actions and backgrounds. Instead, the movie brings together a group of outsiders not through shared experiences but by their search for meaning in how they relate to and care for each other.
The character Hori, who initially seems like an uncaring creep in one scene, is not completely exposed or dismissed later on. The film complicates rather than simplifies his character.
"Monster" follows Kore-eda's typical theme of exploring the elusive world of two young children overshadowed by their adult guardians. The movie's mood is captured by a sunny, melancholic piano and synthesizer score by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who recently passed away. Sakamoto's music, with its subtle complexity, beautifully conveys the mutual loneliness of Minato and his loved ones without falling into clichés. Despite the plot's importance, the music enhances Kore-eda's direction and consideration for individuals who often struggle privately.
It's noteworthy that "Monster" won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival. Sakamoto's collaboration with Kore-eda, though their only one, is a real pleasure to experience through both sight and sound, even though they won't work on another movie together.