Monster (2018 film)
Monster | |
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Directed by | Anthony Mandler |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | Monster by Walter Dean Myers |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | David Devlin |
Edited by | Joe Klotz |
Music by | Harvey Mason Jr. |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
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Running time | 98 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Monster is a 2018 American legal drama film directed by Anthony Mandler, from a screenplay by Radha Blank,[1] Cole Wiley, and Janece Shaffer, based on the novel of the same name by Walter Dean Myers. It stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Tim Blake Nelson, Nasir "Nas" Jones, Rakim "A$AP Rocky" Mayers, Paul Ben-Victor, John David Washington, Jennifer Hudson, and Jeffrey Wright. Wright, Jones, and John Legend also serve as executive producers on the film.
Three years after its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2018, the film was acquired by Netflix and released on May 7, 2021. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Premise[]
This article needs a plot summary. (February 2022) |
Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) a seventeen-year-old honor student whose world comes crashing down around him when he is charged with felony murder. The film follows his dramatic journey from a smart, likeable film student from Harlem attending an elite high school through a complex legal battle that could leave him spending the rest of his life in prison.[2]
— Netflix
Cast[]
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Steve Harmon
- Jennifer Hudson as Mrs. Harmon
- Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Harmon
- Jennifer Ehle as Maureen O'Brien
- Tim Blake Nelson as Leroy Sawicki
- Rakim "A$AP Rocky" Mayers as James King
- Paul Ben-Victor as Anthony Petrocelli
- John David Washington as Richard "Bobo" Evans
- Nasir "Nas" Jones as Raymond "Sunset" Green
- Jharrel Jerome as Osvaldo Cruz
- Dorian Missick as Asa Briggs
- Willie C. Carpenter as Judge
- Rege Lewis as Ernie Ryans
- Jonny Coyne as Detective Karyl
- Lovie Simone as Renee Pickford
- Liam Obergfoll as Casper Juenemann
- Mikey Madison as Alexandra Floyd
- Nyleek Moore as Jerry Harmon
- Roberto Lopez as Mr. Nesbitt
Release[]
The film premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.[3] In April 2019, it was announced that Entertainment Studios had acquired distribution rights to the film, retitled All Rise.[4][5] In November 2020, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film, with the title switching back to Monster.[6] It was released on their service on May 7, 2021.[7][8]
Reception[]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 68% of 62 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Monster would have benefited from a less heavy-handed approach, but Kelvin Harrison Jr.'s performance gives this timely drama emotional heft."[9] According to Metacritic, which assigned a weighted average score of 57 out of 100 based on 17 critics, the film received "mixed or average reviews".[10]
See also[]
- List of black films of the 2010s
References[]
- ^ "'Monster' Summary & Ending, Explained - Cultivates Drama With Hard-Hitting Dialogues | DMT". Digital Mafia Talkies. May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ Monster
- ^ "Sundance Film Festival Unveils Full 2018 Features Lineup". Variety. November 29, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 22, 2019). "Sundance Pic 'Monster' Gets New Title & Theatrical Deal With Byron Allen's ESMP".
- ^ "Jennifer Hudson Sundance Film 'All Rise' Acquired by Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios". The Wrap. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (November 10, 2020). "Netflix Acquires 'Monster' Starring Jennifer Hudson, Kelvin Harrison Jr". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 12, 2021). "Netflix Unveils A 2021 Film Slate With Bigger Volume & Star Wattage; Scott Stuber On The Escalating Film Ambition". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ Santer, Kristen (April 6, 2021). "Netflix Drama 'Monster' Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Jeffrey Wright Receives Heartbreaking First Trailer". Collider. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "Monster (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "Monster (2021) Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
External links[]
- 2018 films
- English-language films
- 2018 directorial debut films
- 2018 drama films
- American films
- American drama films
- English-language Netflix original films
- Films based on American novels
- Films directed by Anthony Mandler
- Courtroom films