A Monster Calls

Name: A Monster Calls
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Released: December 23, 2016
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Toby Kebbell

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 252 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 252 Ratings

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A Monster Calls

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: December 23, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Toby Kebbell

Summary: 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall), dealing with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Sigourney Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth.

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Persall

Jan 5, 2017

J.A. Bayona's exquisite A Monster Calls blends pathos and sophistication, fairy tales and harsh realities into a small masterpiece. Read full review

Edward Douglas

Dec 14, 2016

A lovely film and another impressive calling card for Bayona, who can mix genres in an innovative way like his former producer, Guillermo del Toro. He's created a deeply emotional film about loss that will probably have you crying by film's end. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Dec 29, 2016

A Monster Calls is a deeply moving drama that should find favor with viewers of all ages (except the very young). It’s a stunning work of artistry and emotional heft with an ending that speaks as loudly to children, parents, and grand-parents. It’s difficult to shake and impossible to forget. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Dec 22, 2016

Despite its shortcomings, there are things about this film that are hard to shake; the movie’s ultimate wisdom and overarching compassion make it very likely that you won’t want to shake them, after all. Read full review

Peter Hartlaub

Jan 5, 2017

Bayona remains a director whose work should be anticipated, and A Monster Calls is a solid fantasy drama. Read full review

Matt Donato

Jan 5, 2017

A Monster Calls gets off to a rocky start, but once Neeson's talking tree starts spouting tales of wisdom, everything tightens as the tears start flowing. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

Dec 20, 2016

A Monster Calls is both governed and straitjacketed by director J.A. Bayona’s competent impersonality. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rebecca31

Dec 23, 2016

I just spent the last hour and 50 minutes watching a child talk to a giant tree voiced by Liam Neeson and it was the most imaginative and heart-breaking movie I've seen all year. A young boy calls upon a monster to help cope with his mother's illness. Starring Sigourney Weaver, FelicityI just spent the last hour and 50 minutes watching a child talk to a giant tree voiced by Liam Neeson and it was the most imaginative and heart-breaking movie I've seen all year. A young boy calls upon a monster to help cope with his mother's illness. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones and Lewis MacDougall. Superb performances particularly from Lewis, acting just doesn’t get any better than that. Despite the stunning visuals and stories in this movie it's not exactly suitable for young children and a tough watch at times for everyone else but it's flawless, original and highly recommended.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

Vadertime

Jan 18, 2021

This was an excellent movie. Very moving and very sad, but it had a feel-good ending. I highly recommend it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CalumRhysUK

Apr 9, 2017

I find that the best kind of films end up being the ones you approach knowing little about, with average-low expectations - that was my initial approach to 'A Monster Calls', and boy was I wrong.

A film that plays out as a fantasy-drama, a coming-of-age tale and a family melodrama, 'AI find that the best kind of films end up being the ones you approach knowing little about, with average-low expectations - that was my initial approach to 'A Monster Calls', and boy was I wrong.

A film that plays out as a fantasy-drama, a coming-of-age tale and a family melodrama, 'A Monster Calls' opened as any typical coming-of-age drama does; introductions to the characters were made and we were given a brief glimpse into their daily lives, however as it progresses, we are suddenly faced with a complex and emotionally-stirring plot that piles on layers of heartfelt drama, intriguing character development and gorgeous CGI and cinematography that accompany the tale of a young boy who evades his complicated daily life by escaping to a world of fantasy tales told by the titular monster, voiced by Liam Neeson, in yet another CGI role made perfectly for his booming voice (after success as Aslan).

There are many I have known who have seen this film and have afterwards shed a tear, and rightfully so, the story is one of the most moving and encapsulating I've seen in a long time, bringing in elements of dark fantasy to compliment the main plot. The visuals throughout are stunning in all mediums, beautiful cinematography, visually-striking CGI and gorgeous animated watercolour scenes. All-in-all, 'A Monster Calls' might just be the ultimate "small" movie of 2016.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

NedRyerson1

Feb 12, 2017

A Monster Calls is the new expedition of Juan Antonio Bayona, who has been jumping from one film gender to another; and this time is a kid’s fantasy adventure. The surface of the plot is very cliché, a boy with troubles at home, doesn’t fit in school and bullied by his classmates. But as youA Monster Calls is the new expedition of Juan Antonio Bayona, who has been jumping from one film gender to another; and this time is a kid’s fantasy adventure. The surface of the plot is very cliché, a boy with troubles at home, doesn’t fit in school and bullied by his classmates. But as you descend in the story, all the cliché vanishes. The narration is from a point of view that maintains objectivity and prevents premature sentimentalism with the protagonist. The construction of the story is coherent with the revelation of info, which grows up towards the climax. The significance of the film is unique and visceral, hits hard of viewer’s emotions; you reach a catharsis impressively depressive but reliever, identical to the real world, a complex outcome for a fantasy picture. The dark photography with sad colors and touching music, contribute to the aura of the plot. The performances are very moving by their incredible realism. And the animation of the tales is captivating, with a style and color that match the art direction of the live action movie part. With all these, the plot turns out to be excitingly original. Bayona should definitely stay in this gender, which he has demonstrated to dominate.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CineAutoctono

Feb 12, 2017

"A Monster Calls" was an exciting, moving, and interesting film, the story was good, the special effects, the very good performances, was a very good collaboration that made Hollywood with Spain.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Compi24

Jan 8, 2017

Though "A Monster Calls" may come up a bit short for me in the pacing department, J.A. Bayona and co. more than make up for it by simply bringing this challenging premise to life in the first place. You have such a complicated story here - one that weaves the structural conventions of aThough "A Monster Calls" may come up a bit short for me in the pacing department, J.A. Bayona and co. more than make up for it by simply bringing this challenging premise to life in the first place. You have such a complicated story here - one that weaves the structural conventions of a coming-of-age tale together with the more abstract conceptual stylings of a Brothers Grimm tale. Cap that all off with some truly meaningful words on the grieving process and modern familial relationships and you have the makings of a genuinely powerful experience.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

Oct 9, 2020

Réalisée par l’Espagnol Bayona, voici une autre daube dont il a le secret et la recette infaillible, surtout depuis que le gars tourne à Hollywood : malgré des moyens, des effets spéciaux et une distribution attrayante, il chie une merde qui n’avance pas et nous fait chier à mort comme pasRéalisée par l’Espagnol Bayona, voici une autre daube dont il a le secret et la recette infaillible, surtout depuis que le gars tourne à Hollywood : malgré des moyens, des effets spéciaux et une distribution attrayante, il chie une merde qui n’avance pas et nous fait chier à mort comme pas possible à la manière de son précédent film ou plutôt sa précédente bouse avant celle-là, « The impossible » qui était -déjà- une merde à dormir debout.

Alors ici, évidemment, on comate bien avant « minuit » et difficile de ne pas s’endormir, car ce Monsieur Bayona est un spécialiste de la sieste et de la lenteur. Il sait aussi nous abrutir avec son histoire à la mords-moi-le-noeud pour les mômes plus ou moins autistes comme ce gamin qui parle à un arbre… qui parle. Alors que sa pauv’ môman est malade, oh mon dieu mon dieu, c’est affreux… Sigourney qui s’est égarée ici pour la gamelle joue sa grand-mère mais rien à faire, ce môme est trop taré, si vous voulez mon avis !

C’est tellement lent, tellement lénifiant avec cette ambiance avariée de conte de fée foireux à la petite semaine et en plus et de surcroît, c’est tellement prétentieux que ça en devient navrant et ridicule ! bref, inutile d’épiloguer, c’est de la daube de chez daube sans aucun intérêt mais de la daube qui pète volontiers plus haut que son cul : on aura tout vu ou plutôt le moins possible de cette stupidité ronflante.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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99	#99 Best Movie of 2016
93	#93 Most Shared Movie of 2016