Film Review – Monster (2023)

A director of unique sensitivity, Hirokazu Kore-eda (“Broker,” “Shoplifters,” “After the Storm”) returns with “Monster,” which sustains his seemingly bottomless curiosity about the human experience. This time, the helmer and screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto examine layers of conduct and secrets involved in an accusation of assault involving a student and his teacher. It’s a film of many perspectives and ideas, with “Monster” looking to challenge viewer expectations as judgments are formed and eventually rethought, while deep fears are analyzed in full. It’s a slow-burn effort from Kore-eda, who’s caught up in shifting POVs and personal trials, coming up with a feature that takes its time to work through everything it introduces, but remains surprising and compassionate, skillfully interpreted by a talented cast and delicately scored by the late composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com