Monster

Finally, I managed to watch a film after being slammed by procrastination. But oh gossssh, I made the wrong choice. I should’ve gone with something happy and light, instead of this bastard of a film. Early on this film felt soooo booooring and confusing because of the shifting perspectives, and since I didn't read the premise beforehand, I was even more lost, lol. This film is more complex than just a bullying story. The bullying exists, but it’s not the core. The heart of the story lies in how children try to navigate their identity and emotions in a world that provides no safe space for them. Minato didn't know how to explain his closeness with Yori to adults. He wasn't even sure if the feelings themselves were ”right” or ”wrong”. One of the most powerful elements (for me) is the theme of internalized homophobia, emerging through the bond between Minato and Yori. Their relationship is never explicitly labeled as ”romance”, but the film provides so many cues about an emotional intimacy deeper than just friendship. Yori is depicted as a gentle child who defies the masculine stereotypes expected of boys. His own father calls him a ”pig’s brain”—a degrading insult because he is considered feminine or ”strange”. These words became a psychological wound planted deep inside Yori. That insult didn't just remain external abuse; it slowly seeped into how Yori perceived himself. Even Minato began to absorb that same shame. In one of the most heartbreaking scenes, Minato asks his mother if a person is still human if their brain is replaced by a ”pig’s brain”. It sounds like an innocent question, but it reveals a terrifying fear: the fear that their feelings make them abnormal, even unworthy of being called human. This internalized shame is also visible in Minato’s defensive reactions toward Yori. there are moments when Yori tries to show simple affection, but Minato pushes him away. This isn't because he dislikes Yori, Minato is afraid, he’s scared of being seen, scared that those feelings are wrong, and terrified of being targeted for ridicule like Yori. This defensive stance reflects how social stigma can take root in someone before they even fully understand their own identity. And the more I reflect on this film, the more I realize that the ”monster” here isn't some terrifying creature hiding in the dark. The monster is social prejudice, rigid norms of masculinity, and social stigma.