When her young son, Minato, starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
Critics Reviews:
- “This is a psychological drama that provides no easy answers. It uses the Rashomon effect to repeat scenes from different and often contradictory viewpoints.” – Stephen Romei (The Australian)
- “It would take a hard heart not to be moved by the finale of Monster, and the whole film is a pleasure to watch if you have the patience. Afterwards, though, you might find yourself wondering if so many plot contrivances were really needed.” – Jake Wilson (The Age (Australia))
- “I have been known to throw a shoe at the screen when the plot device stops anyone uttering the few words that will clear everything up in one minute flat… But Kore-eda, who has films such as Shoplifters on his CV, can get away with it and does.” – Deborah Ross (The Spectator)
- “The performances drawn from child actors Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi are perfect, while their section of the film takes place in colours so bold and vivid it feels as if only children see the world that way. Thanks to Kore-eda, so can we.” – Danny Leigh (Financial Times)
