Monster (Blu-Ray) Review

My early life was spent growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina. Even though that childhood did have its own challenges, there were very few episodes of the bullying kind when it came to school. Those thirteen years were composed of silly antics and even sillier scuffles. Unfortunately, when it came to high school, my dad decided to move to Texas in search of a future. Later, as I lay down in the dirt with repeated violent kicks to my stomach and face with threats of gun violence if I tried to get up, I often wondered what kind of future my dad was actually trying to find. Today’s movie is Monster, a Japanese movie about bullying at a local school, but the true story lies in unraveling multiple viewpoints. Let’s take a look.

Someone is watching out in the grass as it overlooks the water. Emergency vehicles blaze by on the open road before him. They are driving in the direction of a giant fire on top of a building. The intensity of the situation is high but with the somber music playing, it feels strangely peaceful as well. Let’s hit that title card.

Saori Mugino (played by Sakura Ando) calls out for her son, Minato (played by Soya Kurokawa) as we are introduced to the Mugino apartment. Minato soon joins his mother as they overlook the balcony and to the burning building downtown. As they take in the tragedy together, they talk about the young boy’s school.

The next morning, Minato runs out the door and off to school. Saori is able to catch him momentarily to give him a water bottle before he is gone. She goes off to work where she works at a dry cleaners. She talks about the fire with a customer, and the customer mentions that on the third floor is a hostess bar (akin to a Hooters or Twin Peaks probably here in the states), and that Minato’s teacher, Mr. Hori (played by Eita Nagayama) frequents there.

When Saori gets home that night, she finds clumps of hair all over the apartment. Minato who wore his hair fairly long has cut off a good chunk of his hair, apparently due to school rules. Later the mother and the son celebrate the birthday of the deceased father. The mother tells Minato to say something to his father, but he asks Saori to leave the room so he can speak to his dad’s picture in private.

The next day, Minato doesn’t want to get up and go to school. Strange things are happening, and the mother doesn’t know what to do. She calls other parents in an attempt to get some information. Later when she can’t find her son, she is finally able to get some clues and finds his bike near the woods. Saori goes into the woods to investigate.

Saori finds a sign that reads “I’m Here.” In the distance, there is a child singing, “Who’s the Monster?” After a few more minutes, she finally finds Minato, and he quickly apologizes. They walk back to the car and get inside to drive back. They start talking about things, but that’s when Minato does the unthinkable as he unlocks the car door and throws himself onto the pavement below.

I remember seeing the trailer to this movie and being brought to almost tears instantly. It didn’t take me long after that to find a pre-order (Gruv seems to always have my back when it comes to Well Go films) to my liking. As it turns out the pivotal scene (Minato throwing himself from the car) from the trailer happens about twenty minutes into the movie. This is a multiple viewpoint (think Rashomon) film that shows us not only Saori’s viewpoint, but also Minato’s and further down the line, Mr. Hori’s. We also meet another child, Yori (played by Hinata Hiiragi) who is extremely important to the overall story.

This film is brilliantly acted and I would dare suggest that everyone in the cast is so important and plays their part brilliantly. Throughout the film, we are trying to figure out who or what the monster the actually is. Is it Mr. Hori? Is it Saori? Is it Minato? Is it someone else or none of the above? That answer is not apparent for a long time, and even then there are a few more layers to extract as we dissect the film. The film also goes deeply into the concept of being re-born or reincarnation as it is known to some.

I think a lot of people will also dismiss the film, especially those outside of Japan on the thought that this would never happen to my child because it is a different country. The concept of bullying or abuse or schools hiding the truth happens in all countries. It might look different, but they are very much present. Monster is such a touching film, and while some might not like the themes, it will draw in just about everyone who loves a deep and rewarding story.

Video

The video is in 2.39:1 widescreen. The sweeping cinematography of this movie is something to behold. It was filmed in 20+ locations in and around the Suwa region of the Nagano Prefecture. There are mountains, streams, tunnels, and all sorts of wonderfully detailed shots here that are an absolute joy to look at. That picture is still a marvel to look at even when it is within the confines of say the school where the kids are going to, or the place that Minato and Saori call home. If Well-Go is looking for candidates for its next 4k releases, I would highly suggest this would be one of them. Absolutely fantastic presentation.

Audio

The audio for this one is 5.1 DTS-HD MA in Japanese and English (DD 2.0 in both languages also provided). Subtitles are provided in English and can be turned off (if so desired). The dialog comes through clearly and there are no discernable issues with the subtitles. Surrounds certainly come to life when we visit the forest with the two young boys. Streams, rain, ambient sounds of the wildlife are easily detectable and draw you in to the audio experience.

An interesting note regarding the score but Ryuichi Sakamoto was contacted for the score of this movie. But at this time of the movie, Sakamoto was suffering with cancer and didn’t have the energy or well being to produce an adequate score. So he did his best to produce a couple of piano pieces and fill in the rest with pieces from his last album, 12. Sakamoto passed in March of 2023 but he can rest well knowing that his incredible music was part of such a fine movie.

Special Features

Trailers: Monster, Eye for an Eye: Blind Swordsman, The Childe (still need to see this), and One-Percent Warrior.
Note: A slipcover was included as well but no further extras.

Final Thoughts

This film was all over the nominations at a variety of award shows and won a few as well. Those included Best Director at the Asian Film Awards as well as Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s a fantastic film and is mesmerizing in its portrayal of a subject that is very close to home of most children and those who grow up to be adults. The different viewpoints in this film remind us that everything is not as it seems, and it’s important to search for the truth especially when it involves the well-being of a child (even if it may or may not be our own). A film that demands a second viewing and possibly more than that.

The video and audio presentation of this film are stunning and hopefully get a 4k release at some point even if its not on our shores here in the US. The only disappointment in this disc release would be the lack of extras which has become a little too common lately for Well Go releases. Hopefully, this is remedied in future releases by this excellent label. Remember, no one should be bullied or abused, and if you are, then seek help immediately. A very heavy recommendation for this film, and one that everyone should seek out immediately. Enjoy.