L'Innocence (2023)

"you were always normal"

Monster is one of the most gut-wrenching movies ever. It follows two children, Minato and Hori, who form a close friendship. This is one the most important film I have ever watched. I cried so much after watching this, my tears couldn't stop. What the poor boys went through at such a young age, society telling them they can't be this, they can't love who they want without being happy. Watching this has made me hate society and how much pressure we put on children to act a certain way, not just children but people. We have to act a certain way to deem fit to society. Society is the one that created the monster and they impose rules on what we should do and who we should love. People who created this heteronormative society are the real monsters. The boys did nothing wrong yet society kept telling them they were sick, that they had a pig brain, that they were a monster. They told themselves they were monsters but they weren't, the real monsters were the bullies and hori's dad. I feel heartbroken after watching this. I just want the two boys to be happy and love who they want, I want to tell them that there's nothing wrong with them. That they aren't monsters. I hope watching this movie will encourage others to be accepting and to love each other without restraints. One of the greatest films I have ever watched, I'll never forget his.

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“Who’s the Monster?”

“You have an amazing talent”

“Do I bite and poison others?”

“No, but when you’re attacked you let go of all your strength and give up”

“That’s not a strength”

“You stop feeling”

“Am I Hoshikawa Yori?”

I really couldn’t put it into enough words how phenomenal this movie was in the sense that it just, completely overwhelmed me. The thing about children is that yes, their worldview differs from those that are older than them, and yes maybe they don’t, perhaps, fully understand the complexities of life as adults, But i feel that more often that not, children are aware of things; they think and feel and process feelings just as we adults do too. However, there’s a certain rawness, a brutality to the truth that they don’t avoid.

Listening. To not simply hear what is being told to you, but to truly listen and understand. Throughout the entirety of this movie we are led to believe that there is one big mystery that must be revealed. Is Mr Hiro truly the “Monster” that he is portrayed to be, or is the monster Minato? Perhaps even Yori? At different points in the film we are led to believe that this ugly truth could be that this was either a detailed scheme conducted by two disturbed young boys looking to wreak havoc, or that there was a cruel teacher who has been abusing his authority and his pupils. We are even led to believe that Minato could be monster who had been caught by a classmate killing a cat (Allegedly). We see as Minato’s mother Saori jumps through hoops to defend her son from who she believed to be a monster, an abusive monster: Mr Hori. She searches for answers that would support her beliefs and feeds them, recklessly discarding anything that doesn’t align with her version of events. A notable example of this would be when the possibility of her son being the “monster” is suggested to her but she vehemently rejects this idea completely. In an attempt to prove Mr Horims guilt and in turn, Minato’s innocence, she visits Yori and instead of listening to him, gets him to corroborate a story that paints Mr Hiro as the abuser.

Now, Mr Hiro can indeed be seen as a victim here as he goee through his fair share of suffering as a result of false accusations. However, he is not completely innocent and also fails to pay attention and listen. Listen to the children. After being accused by Minato and his mother of physical abuse, he pleads his innocence adamantly, failing to realise that his actions come across aggressive and unhinged especially towards the children. Hori begs for the testimony of a student of his who states she witnessed Minato hurt a cat and begs her to show that he isn't the monster everyone claims that he is, but rather that Minato is. Here is one of the many mistakes the adults in this film make. They fail to listen. Yes they hear what these children tell them, but they only hear what they want to hear, which is why when he begs her to tell the principal that she saw Minato kill that cat, to prove his innocence she claims that, that is what she said, and she would be correct. At her response he lashes out and she is frightened. What all these adults fail to recognise all along is, that the real ‘monster’ had been there all along. Right under their noses.

Saori visited the house of the monster, and hell, Mr Hiro even met him himself. If they had not been so caught up with their own problems, fuelling their own narratives, they would have recognised the bigger issue at hand: Yori’s abusive father, The Real Monster. Upon visiting Yori’s house, Mr Hiro hears the words that started this all, come out of Yori’s father’s mouth. “His brain has been switched with a pig’s”. Yet Mr Hori doesn’t question this, or even attempt to connect the dots. Saori saw the burn marks and bruises littering Yori’s body, and rather than asking who they were from, or why he was so comfortable being left at home for long periods of time, she asked if it had been Mr Hiro who had inflicted the wounds. Another failure, another missed chance to save Yori from the monster.

For Yori and Minato, there was no doubt in their mind who the monster was, and they had not once wavered from their belief in this. For these two boys, the truth was so abundantly clear to them, the monster was Yori’s father. Whatever was going on with Mr Hori, With Minato’s mother, with the school, it didn't concern them, all that mattered was that they had each other and their special place, their escape from judgement, from lies and pain.

We are given several examples throughout the film, of this raw truth that children possess. Minato tells his mother “I’m not like dad” the truck sound conveniently passing by as Minato tells her something that he’s been holding back for so long, once again Saori fails to hear what it is that he’s really trying to tell her. It can be argued that it was either the loud sound of the truck To listen. Minato wasn’t trying to tell his mother that he wanted to be like his father, or get muddy like his father, or play rugby like his father, but he was telling her he isn’t like him. He doesn’t love in the same way his father did. In the way his father loved his mum. He tries to tell Saori he loves another boy, that he doesn't love a woman like his father did. and that is why he tells her “I’m not like dad” The raw truth. If only Saori had heard, had truly listened, had asked what this all meant,

Would we be fair in assuming that maybe, just maybe things could have panned out differently?

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"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense."

How could a movie went from basic and boring mystery, into a heartwarming yet gut-wrenching coming-of-age story? 😭

As bits by bits of the mystery gets unfolded through the lens of others, nothing is even more surprising than the third reenactment of the story, where we can finally get to know the truth, the full truth of all the mystery. The last few scenes were unapologetically gut-wrenching and saddening, and also was a typical "up to your interpretations" thing, but this film just made the perfect ending that let me crying at the final scene.

Let me be clear: some people on the internet have complained and trying to reclaim this is a friendship story, rather than a queer coming-of-age story. But I see it differently, your queer friends will see it differently, and thankfully a lot of you–cinephiles–see it differently. Maybe you should check your (queer) friends and I hope they will buy some time to tell you something different that I'd bet you never have to endure. It takes Monster to let us think again who's the true monster of it all.

P.s.: musical composition by Ryuichi Sakamoto feels like his final gift to us, rest in love.

Best Screenplay at 76th Cannes Film Festival (2023)

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Brilliant, heartfelt, emotional throughout

Monster is a movie that sticks with you permanently after watching it. It dives into perspectives filled with guilt, regret, confusion, love and purpose.
Genuinely, this was one of the most emotional films I've ever watched in my life. The storytelling relates to so many aspects of being a queer child who is confused, lost, but seeks redemption just because the world doesn't want to be kind to you, and you don't know why. The way in which they weaved through the different perspectives to the very last was a brilliant capture for the why, how, and what.
The cinematography is beautiful and has such a nostalgic atmosphere to it that I can't describe. Basically, if there were no phones-esque feeling. The characters are complex; every single one, void of any one-dimensionality. I felt myself immersed in their environment/s because it was that intimate being in the spectator's seat of everyone's individualities. Of course, the characters couldn't have been brought to life without the incredible acting. I was profoundly amazed at the main child actors' performances. I am glad to see that the cast and crew took very good care of them throughout the filming process, as this is an especially difficult terrain for children to act in. The music was beautiful, and I so wish there was more in some scenes because it put me in awe how delicate and tender the melodies played a role to further enhance the scene. Though I understand and respect the director's decisions; I'm by no means a professional, this is just my personal opinion.
I for sure have an urge to rewatch this movie because I feel like you can't pick up on all the intricacies in just one go, so this is a definite rewatch. Monster is a beautiful movie with a beautiful and very important story to tell. Give it a watch, you will not be disappointed.

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beautiful beautiful beautiful

IM CRYING MY EYES OUT.
This movie is really really beautiful, the emotions were portrayed so well and everything was played out amazingly and beautifully. Even small details like the lightning or even some glances here and there matched the storyline and the characteristics of each character.

At first, I thought this movie would be too confusing, since we never really got a hold of what was actually happening, but as time went by I learned how to just be happy with what I knew, instead of worrying about how that would change. My perception of what was happening was constantly changing, but itfelt like an exercise of patience and a way to keep me focused to know the real situation that was going on.

Every actor/actress did an AMAZING job, but I'd like to give a big shoutout to the two little main leads. At their young age, they managed to create a masterpiece and portray emotions with a lot of maturity and didn't hesitate to show the vulnerabilities and feelings of the characters they were playing as if they were their own.

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A beautiful piece that holds 3 different perspectives

Lovingly detailed and accented by an aching score from Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died in March, Monster is one of the finest films of the year, and its structure — like its circle of characters — carries secrets that can only be unraveled through patience and empathy. By cutting things up and showing us the perils of fractured perspectives, the director, demonstrates that compassion is more than just a natural state of being. This absorbing, ambiguously titled movie builds to a moving finish, one that reaffirms Kore-eda’s peerless skill at directing young actors in particular.

My Rating : 8.5/10

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who's the monster ?

"se não é para todos então não é felicidade."

"quem é o monstro?"


essas duas frases são exatamente o que define o filme como um todo. a felicidade aqui vem da pior forma, que é extremamente passageira, que parece boa demais para ficar durante muito tempo. como se os personagens não merecessem ter acesso, o que chega a ser cruel pois há personagens aqui que definitivamente deveriam ter um acesso ilimitado a ela.

sobre a segunda frase, é o que faz o filme ser tão transformador. toda a construção da narrativa durante o filme é algo hipnotizante de se acompanhar. os questionamentos que são levantados e as respostas que são obtidas a cada novo ponto de vista faz com que o filme seja um deleite de se ver. as nuances entre os personagens e as dúvidas sobre quem fez o que, ou que simplesmente deixou de fazer, e consequentemente os impactos que foram resultados dessas ações levanta um tipo de questionamento de que até qual ponto saber a verdade é o que realmente interessa ? como definir que o que aconteceu nas entrelinhas tem um valor menor do que a verdade?

eu havia visto uns paralelos comparativos com close do lukas dhont, e a minha semelhança favorita é a criação de um mundo que mistura realidade e fantasia em que nada importa além dos momentos que estão sendo criado entre duas pessoas, em que a felicidade parece ser o único sentimento possível e nada externo tem poder ali.

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heartbreaking yet beautiful

This is the most heartbreking movie i've ever seen. I needed a few days to recover from this film. My heart breaks every time I think of the story of these 2 boys, innocent yet such a tough life. I just can't understand the concept of homophobia and bullying. I hope from the bottom of my heart that they are together and live a happy life, but I still had different feelings at the end. the fact that he is exactly lying dead in the bathtub makes me rather think that he died and when he finds him in the bathtub, can't accept it and imagines a story about their happy ending and then he eventually dies too. I also want to note how wonderfully the boys portrayed the characters. This was incredible for such a young age. you could feel all their emotions and experience their pain with them.

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Not sure about the hype

Got excited to watch this movie because of the high ratings. Didnt watch any trailers or new anything about it before watching. Thought it was going to be a good horror /thriller movie. Was waiting for something to happen....


Still very confused about the high ratings or is this what Japan horror movies is about?

It was about 3 different views/stories about their lives. I dont see anything about a thriller or a horror. Maybe a psychological drama.

Still very confused here... The theme is who is fhe monster? As you watch it from 3 different perspectives and then you change your views based on them. Thats why the question is are we the monster?

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Are we humans or monsters?

This movie didn't make me cry. But, it left a void in my heart. It pains and it hurts as if someone had stabbed my heart. I wish everyone in this world watches this movie irrespective of who they are. It will give a chance for us to destroy our inner demons and become more humane.
The story is told from three perspectives: Saori is a single mother who finds that her son is exhibiting strange behaviors lately. Her son Minato admits that he was beaten and abused by his teacher Hori. After this arc, we all tend to blame Hori. Then, we get Hori's perspective - he had always been kind to his students and Minato was injured by him accidentally. However, the whole school and press labels him as an abusive teacher and he is fired from his job. At this point, we audience tend to be indifferent towards Hori and think that he deserves to be hated. But, the real story is hidden behind Minato's POV. Minato has a crush on Yori, a boy in his class. Yori is often bullied by his rude classmates for his girly behavior. Minato is in denial because of the society norms and that causes him extreme stress, to the extent that he starts questioning his existence. Yori is always physically abused by his alcoholic single father, who believes that Yori has a disease and that he is a monster with pig brains. Despite all the bullying at school and the abuse from his father, Yori is very optimistic and gentle. The girls around him are always kind, but the boys give him a tough time. This factor alone shows how women are more matured, understanding and have an high degree of empathy within them. Parallel to all three arcs, we see the cold principal of the school. It is said that she killed her grandchild accidentally and let her husband take the fall, who is currently imprisoned. Whether its true or false is left to our own judgement.
I felt the movie was a huge irony in more than one way. In today's date, where social media is a rage, we don't fact-check everything before we draw conclusions. We only hear the narratives we favor. We don't want to listen to the other sides of the story. In fact, we don't even believe there are other narratives. Lets say, you come across a reel about an actor being accused of a hit-and-run. If you like the actor, you will say he's being framed. If you don't like the actor, you will say he deserves jail. And if you don't know the actor, you just ignore the reel, forgetting the reel quickly. There are many cases where innocent people commit suicide because of the hateful comments on social media. If even one life is lost because of our harsh words, aren't we monsters?
Throughout the film, rebirths are often mentioned, mostly by Minato. The ending leaves us hanging with many possibilities. Again, our perceptions come at play here. There are many hidden messages within the movie. For instance, Yori has become immune to the bullying and abuse because he is so much used to it - he doesn't feel anything anymore. This was revealed through a card game with Minato.
The entire cast were amazing, but the performance of the child actors are impeccable. That was Oscar-level acting. It is isn't easy to act in sensitive topics as a child.
Overall, this movie widened my horizons. It was thought-provoking and an eye-opener. No wonder it won so many laurels, including the Cannes festival.

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