Film Review - Your Monster
Images courtesy of Rialto Distribution.
Heartbreak can be a real monster. We’ve all likely been there, and hit the stage of the grieving process where sadness transforms into seething rage and hate. But what if that rage was personified? Or, what if it was the monster who lives in your closet or under your bed? This metaphorical concept is the basis of the delightful horror-comedy, Your Monster.
Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera) is an actress who has just been dumped by her longtime boyfriend Jacob (Edmund Donovan) after having surgery for cancer removal. As if that’s not bad enough, Jacob is going ahead with the production of a stage show they developed together without her, even though he wrote the main role for Laura. She reverts back to her childhood home to recover, spending most of her time eating her sadness and ordering tissues in bulk from Amazon. With no direction or hope for her future, things seem dire. While dealing with these major life changes, Laura discovers another surprise - a monster (Tommy Dewey) living in her closet. He is terrifying and beastly in appearance, demanding Laura to leave so he can go back to living in solitude. However, he eventually realises he doesn’t want her to go, and they build a special connection. Monster, as Laura calls him, encourages her to pick herself up again and chase her dreams despite the odds. Thanks to Monster, Laura not only learns how to love again, but more specifically, to fall in love with her inner rage.
Your Monster initially plays out like a modern-day Beauty and the Beast, with Laura and Monster not getting off to the best start. She’s scared of him, and he finds her annoying. But as the two grow closer, they realise they have more in common than they thought. Barrerra and Dewey share wonderfully sweet chemistry as two very likable leads, both as a pair and solo performers. While staying in her space of horror, Barrerra also gets the chance to really showcase her range as an actress. She’s comedically brilliant, which we haven’t seen before, and musically gifted, carrying over her talents from In the Heights. In her best performance yet, she proves she’ll be just fine without the Scream franchise. Dewey is also perfectly cast as Monster, who is ridiculously charming and just a super cool dude you’d want to hang out with. He’s witty and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, making it obvious that he’s the one Laura deserves.
The film also validates the pain and betrayal it is impossible not to feel when you’ve had your heart broken. It is a reminder that it is okay to be angry, and that it is important to allow yourself to process all your emotions. Jacob is the classic narcissistic ex-boyfriend from hell that Laura can’t help but put on a pedestal. As somebody who has been through a breakup recently with similarities (minus the friendly monster), I could empathise with Laura wholeheartedly. I cringed every time she tried to suck up to Jacob, and cheered when she finally took control of her narrative, because I have been in her shoes. I felt very seen while watching this, and anyone who has lived out this toxic cycle will too and be satisfied with its darkly humourous outcome.
Subverting expectations and blending genres, Your Monster is an endearing love letter to the ones who’ve had their hearts broken, and gives them permission to embrace their fury.
Follow Alyssa on Letterboxd, Twitter/X and Instagram.
Your Monster is screening in cinemas from Thursday the 28th of November. For tickets and more info, click here.