Get ready for a heartwarming and thought-provoking film from Japan’s most successful contemporary filmmaker, Hirokazu Kore-Eda. His latest masterpiece, Monster, is a return to his roots and a must-see for fans of his work. This marks his seventh film in the main Cannes competition and his ninth overall, and it’s clear that he’s still at the top of his game. While he didn’t write the screenplay for this one, it’s still right in his wheelhouse with its humanist family-centered themes.
The film follows Saori, a widowed mother raising her son Minato, who is going through a tough time at school. When Saori discovers that Minato’s teacher has been insulting him, she demands answers from the school officials. As the story unfolds, we see different perspectives from each character, revealing layers of truth and the lasting effects of grief.
Kore-Eda’s superb casting brings out excellent performances from the entire cast, including Ando Sakura, Nagayama Eita, Kurokawa Soya, Hiiragi Hinata, and Tanaka Yuko. The film also benefits from a moving final score by the late great Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Don’t miss Monster at Cannes, where it’s in competition. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
