Monster
"If only some people can have it, that’s not happiness. That’s nonsense. Happiness is something anyone can have."
This movie is a heartbreaking puzzle. The first act intentionally leaves you confused and frustrated, but it perfectly proves that perspective is everything. By shifting through different points of view, we finally get to see the raw, hidden reality of the characters at the center of this storm. It’s a brilliant way of showing how easily we can misjudge someone when we only see a fragment of their truth.
The real monster here isn’t a person. It’s society and the rigid expectations it forces upon children. It’s Yori’s father trying to cure his son because he thinks he isn’t normal. It’s the constant pressure on Minato to conform and hide his true feelings just to survive middle school. Seeing them navigate that kind of heavy oppression at such a young age is deeply draining and hits close to home.
In a way, this movie feels personal to me. It hits a sensitive spot because I can relate to that feeling of being misunderstood or having to hide parts of yourself just to fit in. It makes you realize how the world of adults can be so cruel to an innocent bond that just wants to exist.
And that ending? I was literally crying. After all the judgment, the noise, and the literal storm, seeing them finally enjoy their own little world felt so peaceful and lovely. No more hiding, no more shame, and no more being told what’s wrong or forbidden. For a moment, they were just free.
I hope the world can be more gentle, understanding, and accepting of queer people. Everyone deserves a space where they don’t have to feel like a monster just for being themselves. I love this movie so much.