LOVE & MONSTERS: Movie Review

Hi movie lovers, Happy New Year @cinetv, it's Abeegail again, welcome to my blog. This year, I thought of branching out from my normal psychology horror into other genres. I've also been revisiting old movies I've already watched. I recently revisited this movie, "Love and Monsters, I had watched this movie when I was still in secondary school (high school).

"Love and Monsters" follows Joel Dawson (Dylan O’Brien), one of the survivors of a very catastrophic event that struck Earth. The story starts seven years after the chemicals meant to destroy an asteroid instead mutated Earth’s cold-blooded animals into gigantic monsters. Humans are forced to live underground in a bunker to avoid the mutant animals. Joel is mostly awkward and squirmish; he's not much of a fighter. He tries to reconnect with his girlfriend, and when he finally does, he gets the crazy idea to travel 85 miles on the surface to meet with his girlfriend, Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who is in another colony. His crazy idea brought him close to several dangerous situations and almost death, but he also makes unexpected allies like Clyde (Michael Rooker) and Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt), who teaches him survival skills. He also bonds with a stray dog, Boy, who becomes his loyal companion.

Joel is presented as someone who isn't very courageous. He is seen as someone who easily gets scared and lacks confidence. He's trip is not only seen as fighting physical monsters but the monster within, like his fear and insecurities. He transforms into someone capable of surviving. The movie reminds me that even in the most chaotic moment, family, friends, and pets make survival meaningful. Joel starts his journey with the intent of reuniting with Aimee, but I get to see that it's not about holding on to past love but discovering new things, like self-worth, bravery, and community.

I'll give it to Dylan O’Brien (Joel); his performance was just what the story needed. I've always loved his performance; he's such a comic character. He balances humor, vulnerability, and determination very well, and he makes the film so relatable and natural. I also love Michael Rooker (Clyde) & Ariana Greenblatt (Minnow) performance in relation to Dylan O’Brien's. I loved how their scenes seem seamless. Both do well to dish out wisdom, with practical survival lessons in Joel's journey. And Boy (the dog), stole the show with his loyalty and bravery, which adds heart and tension, and his bond with Joel gives heart-robbing emotional moments.

I loved the movie's monster designs. They are imaginative and creative, with smooth CGI bend and effects. From giant frogs and centipedes to mutated crabs, the creatures look both terrifying and oddly cool. The production made the post-apocalyptic landscapes luscious, vibrant, and colorful, giving the movie a fresh feel rather than the wastelands I see in other movies.

Love and Monsters is a movie I highly recommend; it's easy to watch and quite engaging. It's a heartfelt and visually stimulating adventure movie that carries a bit of comedy, action, and self-discovery. You might get scared of the icky monsters, but it's just a story about finding love, hope, courage, and community in places you wouldn't have thought.

It's Abeegail ✨💗

Thanks for reading 😊

---

The images are sourced