Directed by Michael Matthews, this apocalyptic action-comedy monster-adventure was released in 2020.
Love and Monsters is one of those film "underdogs" that you don’t see coming. Sure, it has a catchy name, and even the trailer might seem a bit “interesting”, but it’s easy to still go “Meh” and look for something you feel will be more mind blowing and on the block buster level. However, sometimes... sometimes, it is worth just giving these types of films a chance.
Joel Dawson (Dylan O’Brien) was just a teenager when an asteroid was headed towards the Earth. The American Government was successful at destroying it, but the consequence of this was the emission of hazardous bio-chemicals which caused the animals and creatures on earth to mutate into huge dangerous monsters. This meant the roles were now reversed; human beings were now at the bottom of the food chain, and were quite literarily, going extinct.
Seven years on, and people had created colonies all over where they lived in underground bunkers for survival. They occasionally went to the surface for food and whatever supplies they can find, which was usually an ordeal. Joel has managed to survive that long in the colony he ended up in. Unfortunately, being timid and faint-hearted meant his chores revolved around the kitchen – cooking and cleaning, while others took turns to go up to the surface, when necessary, to face the dangers, battle through, and ensure they did not return empty handed.
What was even sadder was that the others in Joel’s bunker had all coupled up, leaving him the only one without a partner. This is the thing though, Joel used to have a girlfriend before the disaster hit seven years ago, her name was Aimee (Jessica Henwick) and the love of his life. Somehow, he was able to establish communication with her using a radio which regularly lost signal. One day, he suddenly decides he was going to leave his colony, go up to the surface, and journey the great distance to Aimee’s colony to be with her.
This was definitely a daring quest, as Joel wasn’t the bravest of men, had no survival skills, hadn’t been to the surface in years, and basically froze whenever he was afraid. The dangers he had to face, his escapades, the skills he had to learn, and the people he meets along they way, make up the biggest and best parts of the film.
The film is as hilarious as it is exciting. It has a strong theme and storyline, with an absolutely engaging plot. The visual effects were pretty cool and impressive, and the cast did a really good job.
The catchy name and interesting trailer are, without a doubt, selling it just about right. Did I love it? Absolutely! Would I recommend it? Most certainly! What would I rate it? 7.5 out of 10.
Currently available to watch on Netflix.
Further Information
Story
Screenplay
Director
Some of the Cast:
Dylan O'Brien - Joel Dawson
Jessica Henwick - Aimee (Joel's girlfriend before the apocalypse)
Michael Rooker - Clyde Dutton (Survival expert)
Ariana Greenblatt – Minnow (survival expert)
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