Movie spotlight
A Monster Calls
The Old Vic in association with Bristol Old Vic, Jonathan Church Productions & Global Creatures’ present their Olivier Award-winning production, A Monster Calls. Thirteen-year-old Conor and his mum have managed just fine since his dad moved to America. But now his mum’s very sick and she’s not getting any better. His grandmother won’t stop interfering and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye. Then, one night, at seven minutes past midnight, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears. On publication, A Monster Calls became a bestseller with children and adults alike with its dazzling insight into love, loss and healing. It garnered huge critical acclaim, including an unprecedented double win of the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals for outstanding children’s literature and illustration.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young boy, Conor, struggles to cope with his mother's terminal illness while being bullied at school and ostracized by his grandmother. He finds an unlikely ally in a tree monster that visits him each night. The monster tells Conor three stories, each with a moral, in exchange for a promise that Conor will tell his own story, the truth about his nightmares.
Critical Reception
A Monster Calls received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional depth, stunning visual effects, and powerful performances, particularly from its young lead and veteran cast. It was praised for its mature handling of complex themes like grief, loss, and acceptance, resonating with both critics and audiences.
What Reviewers Say
Visually stunning and emotionally profound, exploring grief with sensitivity and power.
A heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful fairy tale for adults and older children.
Features exceptional performances from its cast, especially the young lead.
Google audience: Viewers lauded the film's heartbreakingly beautiful story and its honest portrayal of loss and the grieving process. Many praised the incredible visual effects and the emotional resonance of the narrative, finding it to be a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best British Film and won Goya Awards for Best Director and Best New Actor for Lewis MacDougall.
Fun Fact
The tree monster was brought to life through a combination of performance capture by actor Terry Notary and extensive CGI, with author Patrick Ness writing the screenplay based on his own novel.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources