Love and Monsters (2020)

 

A guy risking his life to get laid (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

We believe monster movies are the stepchildren of the horror sub-genres. Monster movies are frequently overshadowed by their easier-to-deliver, surefire success sub-genre siblings like haunted houses, possessions and even their special needs cousin, the found footage. Monster movies are easily overlooked, glossed over and rarely given much love. However, like all stepchildren, they have a desire to be given the attention they deserve. 

Love and Monsters is one such movie. 

Love and Monsters is the story of Joel (Dylan O'Brien) who lives in a post apocalyptic version of our world currently inhabited by mutated animals.

How did these mutated animals come to be, you ask? Well, an asteroid was plummeting towards the earth and our governments banded together to nuke it. Radiation from the nuclear debris then spilled back down to earth affecting mostly insects, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles, causing them to mutate, but left humans and mammals (or so we think, it's not really explained) relatively unharmed. 

If sexbots are a thing, Joel wouldn't have to risk his life chasing some tail (Image courtesy of The New York Times)

Now, survivors of the apocalypse have taken refuge in underground colonies. In Joel's colony, the survivors have paired up to form romantic relationships, leaving Joel the only one singled out. It's survival of the fittest and Joel's not really seen as one of the fittest. He's considered weak and prone to freezing in dangerous situations. 

Throughout the beginning of the movie, you're given glimpses into Joel's life before the apocalypse and you're introduced to Aimee (Jessica Henwick), Joel's former girlfriend. As the movie progresses, Joel is slowly overcome with the need to seek out Aimee who manages another colony 85 miles (136 kilometers) away. Only when a colony member is killed by a giant ant does Joel decide to make the trip above ground to seek her out. 

The journey is dangerous and spans seven days, practically impossible even for seasoned colony food scavengers who must travel above grounds to replenish their food supplies. For Joel, who is considered inexperienced, it's a suicide mission, but he does it anyway. 

The movie is filled with great scenes and music and world building lore. We especially love the ambiance of "danger around every corner" that they've instilled into each shot. There's always something out to kill you above ground and every step is wrought with danger and the movie layers that feeling on to the viewers really well. 

"It's not consensual!!" (Image courtesy of bloody-disgusting.com)

Dylan O'Brien in this movie does what he does best: running. Although there are scenes where he finds the courage to fight and it comes at a time where he needs it the most, it mostly filled with him running or stumbling or being knocked unconscious, which is great as this movie isn't about an action star but some random guy filled with purpose. 

NOTE: Asian Does Horror would like to petition that if there is ever a movie about Terry Fox, Dylan O'Brien should be cast as Terry as he'll just be doing something he's really, really good at, which is running. 

How the scenes are played out and how the storyline progresses, is just so satisfying to watch. Along his journey, Joel meets some unexpected companions; Clyde (Michael Rooker) and Minnow (Ariana Greenblat) and a dog named Boy. You'll quickly fall in love and appreciate these characters as you're constantly rooting for Joel to finish his journey. 

The characters of Clyde and Minnow and even Boy are just so satisfying to watch. Both Clyde, Minnow and Boy (yes, him too) have tragic backstories of their own. 

But, what's so satisfying for us is that rarely do expectations and reality converge and provide the outcome you desire. It's real life. We won't spoil it for you, but it's a disappointment that should be featured more in movies to make it realistic. 

Chances of you getting raped by a giant plastic duck are low, but never zero. (Image courtesy of Tor.com)

All in all, Love and Monsters is such a great movie to watch. It's been a long time since we've had the chance to watch a monster movie that is both so pleasing cinematographically and plot-wise. Love and Monsters is such a rewarding movie since it doesn't end when Joel completes his journey, but the director adds a nice conclusion to it. We're just so disappointed that there isn't more of it and hope that there's a sequel in the future. 

Asian Does Horror gives Love and Monsters 👻👻👻👻 emojis out of five.