A Monster Calls (2017)
86%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: 39 wins & 57 nominations
A Monster Calls deftly balances dark themes and fantastical elements to deliver an engrossing and uncommonly moving entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre
A Monster Calls is the kind of movie that will make you ugly cry in the theater, but in the best way possible. It’s not your typical children’s book adaptation, and it’s definitely not a horror movie (despite the title). Instead, it’s a heart-wrenching story about grief, loss, and the power of storytelling. The visuals are stunning, the acting is top-notch, and the monster itself is both terrifying and comforting at the same time. Just make sure you bring a box of tissues with you, because you’re going to need them.
Production Company(ies)
Pathé Renn Productions, France 3 Cinéma
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some scary images
Year of Release
2017
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Atmos
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 48m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 6, 2017 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2017
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Ben Moor, James Melville, Liam Neeson, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, written by Patrick Ness, Fantasy, Adventure, Drama, PG-13, reviewed by Sandra Hall, David Stratton, Angie Han, Richard Brody, Dan Jolin, Wendy Ide, Brian Eggert, Matt Brunson, Catherine Springer, Richard Crouse, Leo Brady, Juan Antonio Bayona, Belén Atienza, $2.2M box office, Focus Features, grief, loss, cancer, tree monster, animation, coming-of-age, emotional, cathartic, heartwarming, unique, BAFTA, British film awards
Worldwide gross: $47,309,313
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $57,066,200
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,274
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 6,223,141
US/Canada gross: $3,740,823
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $4,512,316
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,834
US/Canada opening weekend: $30,909
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $37,284
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,294
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $43,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $51,868,151
Production budget ranking: 769
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $27,930,999
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$22,732,951
ROI to date (est.): -28%
ROI ranking: 1,558
Sigourney Weaver – Grandma
Felicity Jones – Mum
Toby Kebbell – Dad
Ben Moor – Mr. Clark
James Melville – Harry
Director(s)
Juan Antonio Bayona
Writer(s)
Patrick Ness
Producer(s)
Belén Atienza
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
39 wins & 57 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (268) | Top Critics (70) | Fresh (231) | Rotten (37)
A Monster Calls is an adaptation of a children’s book with a title that makes it sound like a horror movie. Neither of these things should obscure the fact that it’s the most mature film of the year — and one of the most moving.
July 26, 2017 | Rating: 4.5/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
It’s a small, almost delicate film that will richly reward those who connect with it.
July 21, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
If you’re in the mood for emotional catharsis, A Monster Calls is one of the weepiest experiences I’ve had at the theater this year.
June 13, 2017 | Rating: 7/10
Angie Han
Slashfilm
TOP CRITIC
The movie delivers its meaning repeatedly to make sure that no one misses the point; its lessons, rendered even more explicitly than the ones in Conor’s classroom, are missing only the chalkboard and pointer.
January 23, 2017
Richard Brody
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
Part fairy tale/creature feature/domestic melodrama, this adds up to far more than a ‘one boy and his monster’ story – and is a tougher emotional journey as a result.
January 9, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Dan Jolin
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This is not just a film about grief; it’s a film that immerses you in grief’s journey.
January 8, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A capably made fantasy bound to draw out a few tears and present a few wowing visuals.
April 5, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Individual scenes crackle with flavor, but it’s hard to become completely invested in a movie about holding onto life when its creators are so focused on art-directing it to death.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
The effects here don’t take you out of the story, they make you even more invested.
July 26, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Catherine Springer
CathsFilmForum.com
A heartbreaking tale with a nightmarish climax that will be too intense for kids who may get wrapped up in the story. For everyone else it’s a fractured fairy tale with real insight and pathos.
February 28, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
A Monster Calls is a unique film, in the sense that it is honest about life and the unfair difficulties that you go through as a child.
February 7, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Leo Brady
AMovieGuy.com
A Monster Calls may seem like a simple fantasy film, but it goes beyond that to tackle a very real tragedy – losing someone. Word of advice: bring a lot of tissues to this one.
January 2, 2021
Jordy Sirkin
Jordy Reviews It…
Plot
The monster does not come walking often. This time it comes to Conor, and it asks for the one thing Conor cannot bring himself to do. Tell the truth. This is a very touching story about a boy who feels very damaged, guilty and mostly angry. He struggles at school with bullies, and pity looks from everyone, and at home with his mother’s sickness. Will Conor overcome his problems? Will everything be okay? Will Conor be able to speak the truth?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Liam Neeson voices the Monster in A Monster Calls.
Juan-Antonio-Bayona.jpg
