It is quite often that a woman can be found wallowing in self-loathing at the start of a film and we watch as she slowly picks herself back up throughout to become the best version of herself. But what happens if she doesn't, and she accepts all the pain and abuse she's endured? What if it takes a mental and physical breakdown for her to slowly take back control, plus the discovery of a monster living in her closet? The result would look something like Your Monster.
When soft-spoken actress Laura (Melissa Barrera) goes back home to recover from surgery, a Cancer diagnosis and a devasting breakup, she discovers something quite terrifying and unexpected: an intimidating, yet strangely charming Monster (Tommy Dewey) has been living in her closet. At first, there is resentment for having to share the space, but this unusual setup soon grows into something more tender.
While there is the temptation to compare to other films that share a similar nature, there isn't anything quite like Your Monster. The film is a far more complicated and, as is its nature, romantic and vengeful beast. Cutting to the core almost immediately, writer-director Caroline Lindy sets the scene with our leading lady, Laura, being broken up with in the hospital and remaining devastated for an entire montage of sadness. We learn a small amount of exposition from a so-called friend Mazie but then we are left alone with Laura as she drowns in tears. This familiar state of a broken-hearted woman at the start of a story is classic rom-com fodder, but it's the bolt of lightning in the form of Monster appearing and making himself known that is the wake-up call that Laura sorely needs. This shifts the story and by introducing horror tropes into this rom-com setup, a delightful gentle romance blossoms alongside a steadfast, unpredictable bottled-up rage just waiting to burst out. Anytime the story tips into familiar genre territory, Lindy slots in an unexpected gory bloody moment, melodramatic outburst, or surreal memory come to life, making sure audiences don't quite know where it'll go next.
Having the Broadway musical within the plot adds to the film's theatrical flare as well as making emotions feel more heightened, especially with Laura who bottles up her rage until the most inappropriate time. Costumes, masks, and playing make-believe are all part of the bigger picture and smaller hints as to what's really happening to Laura. But despite the uncertainty that lingers throughout, it feels easy to fall for the Monster and Laura's bond and root for an outcome that satisfies. Barrera and Dewey have effortless and incredibly charming chemistry; their performances are entertaining, whether they're smashing plates, reciting Shakespeare, or inciting violent acts.
Your Monster perfectly encapsulates how to weave together two opposing genres. Following the beats of a typical rom-com and weaving in horror elements to complement the story and the characters is a sheer delight, whether you want to accept the ‘true' nature of Monster or want to be suspended in disbelief when it comes to the fantastically dramatic and beautifully sung finale. Your Monster is an oddball of a film that, complete with familiar but unique characters; it's something new and unexpected and will have you thinking twice before looking under your bed.
