Created by critically-acclaimed director Koreeda Hirokazu (Shoplifters) and writer Sakamoto Yuji, Monster depicts a fateful connection between two boys with a classic Rashomon twist. As with most Koreeda films, it centers on outliers and bonds beyond societal frameworks, and is certainly a tear-jerker. It also features the last tracks of Sakamoto Ryuichi.

P.S. Please stay for this Sunday’s post-film discussion for Petrina’s long and passionate rant about why this is her 2023 barbenheimer :)

Year: 2023 / Min: 125 / Country: Japan / Language: Japanese / Cw: injury detail, self-harm, threat, abduction theme, violence