Monsters

2010, 12A, Directed by Gareth Edwards

Starring: Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy

With a title like Monsters, one would be forgiven for thinking this a Cloverfield-esque creature feature. One would be oh so wrong; this is a whole lot more. Gareth Edwards’ performance led two-hander, focused on photographer Andrew and tourist Samantha's journey back to America through a perilous Mexican 'Infected Zone', is a master-class in how to form a hybrid of a revered-genre and deem it accessible to the usual naysayers. The central performances of Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able not only convince but assist in the enthrallment of this contemporary world in ruin. Monsters succeeds in entertaining (there’s just the right amount of action to tide you over), charming (perhaps largely because of McNairy and Able’s real-life relationship) and reflecting (a mirror is held up to the state of the world we live in today). By the film’s climax, you will chide yourself for having previously denied yourself the experience. Simply beautiful.

5/5