A Monster Calls

Conor O’Malley is an ordinary boy, until something miraculous happens…

Conor (Lewis MacDougall) lives a quiet life. He’s just a regular boy trying to make it through school, though with a passion for art, especially drawing monsters. After his mother gets sick, he starts getting nightmares, until one night, he is woken from his bed by a monster! The monster promises to return and tell him three true stories, and when he is done, Conor must do the one thing he is most afraid of – tell the truth about his nightmares.

The latest marvel from the director of ‘Orphanage’, ‘A Monster Calls’ is the most original monster story in years. Lewis MacDougall is outstanding for such a young actor and deserves high praise for his performance. Felicity Jones and Sigourney Weaver are also on fine form as Conor’s mother and grandmother, and voice of the monster is provided by the mellifluous Liam Neeson.

The film is a beautiful blend of the fantastical and everyday reality, mixing the complexity and messiness of life with beauty and deeper truths. Compelling and refusing easy interpretation, the monster’s stories have a captivating style all their own. The film is absolutely mesmerising to watch, and you’ll keep catching your breath from moment to moment in wonder or surprise.