Synopsis
Love and Monsters is a 2020 romantic adventure film set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by gigantic mutated creatures. It combines action and comedy with heartfelt moments. Directed by Michael Matthews and written by Brian Duffield and Matthew Robinson, the film captures the distinct journeys of its protagonist, who traverses the dangerous world for love rather than pure survival.
Dylan O’Brien portrays the mild and socially awkward Joel Dawson, who provides voiceover narration and starts the story with the backstory to the apocalypse. To save Earth from the impending asteroid “Agatha 616”, humanity launched a barrage of rockets, which chemically spawned monsters by the fancifully violent way of cold-blooded creatures like insects, amphibians, and reptiles mutating into grotesquely large beasts. These creatures claimed dominion over the world, effectively wiping out 95% of the human population. The remnants of humanity were forced to retreat into underground colonies, far from the surface which the monsters now controlled.
Joel, now living in an underground bunker with a few other survivors, has not changed much since the Monsterpocalypse seven years ago. Unlike the other survivors, he does not possess any unique combat skills, and tends to freeze up during dangerous encounters with monsters. His responsibilities mostly consist of cooking and manning the radio.
Joel’s life takes a turn for the better when he reestablishes contact with Aimee (Jessica Henwick), his girlfriend from the pre-apocalyptic era, who now resides in a colony located 85 miles away. In spite of his panic and combat ineptitude, he resolves to leave the safety of his bunker and embark on a perilous surface journey through monster territory to meet Aimee.
Through his travels, Joel encounters deadly toads, sand gobblers, centipede-like monsters, and even a giant crab. He also meets two survivors: Clyde, a hardened hunter played by Michael Rooker, and a little girl named Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt). This duo aids Joel in learning survival skills, providing him both practical counsel and emotional encouragement. As Clyde points out, being scared does not equate to weakness, and with their support, Joel becomes more self-assured and capable.
Joel forms a touching bond with a stray dog named Boy, who accompanies him as a loyal friend. Boy’s comedic contribution aside, he illustrates the bond and fidelity that persists amid chaos and destruction. His loyalty to his friends compels Joel to face danger in order to rescue Boy rather than the other way around, showing the extent of his moral values.
When Joel finally arrives at Aimee’s colony, he discovers that she is alive and has been leading a group of older survivors. The reunion is not as romantic as he had envisioned. Aimee has changed and matured, and while she does express some place for Joel in her heart, she acknowledges that their bond has weakened substantially. The movie does not fall into the cliché of rekindled romance, instead offering a pragmatic perspective of estranged individuals whose lives have diverged, choosing not to return to the way things were.
Matters take a sinister twist with the arrival of a charming yet dubious figure, Cap (Dan Ewing), who accompanies the promise of safe transport and other resources. His true intentions reveal him as a scavenger planning to steal supplies and dominate the colony with a trained monster. Joel steps up and becomes a true hero. He saves the day by demonstrating that what is commonly viewed as cowardly, in fact, bravery is the кто. Joel redefined acting courageously as fear accompanied by the decision to take action in the presence of it.
Ultimately, Joel chooses not to remain with Aimee, instead going back to his initial colony to motivate people with all that he has learned. His journey becomes symbolic of not only physical survival, but also emotional development, the soul’s resilience, and the omnipresent force of hope.
As Joel Dawson, Dylan O’Brien has proved himself to be the heart and soul of the movie. O’Brien gives a balanced performance full of humor, vulnerability, and bravery. His transformation from a fearful survivor to a competent hero is one of the most rewarding arcs in the film.
Jessica Henwick as Aimee: Aimee provides the much-needed grounded realism perspective to the film. Henwick beautifully portrays her character with a mix of warmth and strength, embodying a different kind of heroism as a leader and a nurturer.
Michael Rooker as Clyde: Rooker adds grit and wisdom to the story, portraying a hardened survivor who serves as Joel’s mentor
Ariana Greenblatt as Minnow: Exuding energy and a sense of innocence, Greenblatt captures her lively essence. Despite her young age, Minnow is a fierce resourceful fighter.
Dan Ewing as Cap: Ewing plays a smooth-talking charismatic villain as Cap who possesses some deadly hidden intentions.
Director: Michael Matthews, who worked on Five Fingers for Marseilles, offers a new perspective to the monster genre by blending gripping visuals with deep, emotional storytelling.
The script was written by Brian Duffield, (Spontaneous, The Babysitter) and Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying) who infused the screenplay with humor, emotion, and world-building.
Lachlan Milne’s cinematography captures the lush post-apocalyptic world with vivid colors and stunning vistas, using vibrant color palettes as well as beautiful landscapes.
The score by Marco Beltrami and Marcus Trumpp blends suspenseful tones with quiet introspection, revealing thrilling emotional peaks and action-packed climaxes alongside powerful quiet moments during the more tranquil segments, brilliantly fusing excitement and emotion.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
Love and Monsters maintains a statisfying 7.0/10 rating on IMDb from critics and audiences, showcasing a well-balanced plot with easily likable characters and a refreshing tone.
Surprisingly enough, the movie was nominated for an academy award for best visual effects. Given the films comparitively lower budget, the nomination is surprising, but the work is impressive. The monsters are rendered with practical effects using chronicled artistry instead of mindless spectacle.
Reviewers specifically pointed out as one of the highlights Dylan O’Brien’s performance. His comedic timing and emotional range brought the character to life in a way that made him both relatable and lovable. The screenplay also received accolades for successfully blending different genres—it was a coming-of-age story, a creature feature, and a romantic quest all at once.
Love and Monsters stands out from other post-apocalyptic films because it doesn’t lean into heavy-handed dramatics. Instead, it brings hope and lightness to a dark world, allowing it to be enjoyed by a wider audience, including teenagers and families. The movie’s core themes of courage, love, and self-discovery are timeless and meaningful for audiences of all ages.
Conclusion
More than just a monster movie, Love and Monsters is a hopeful adventure overflowing with charm and humanity. The film distinguishes itself amidst the crowded post-apocalyptic landscape with strong performances, creative visuals, and a heartfelt narrative. Be it monster battles, emotional journeys, or quirky humor that draws you in, expect to be touched and thrilled in equal measure.
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