The Monster (2016)

The Monster Summary
"The Monster" is a fascinating American horror movie written and directed by Bryan Bertino in 2016. The story boldly links aspects of psychological drama and suspense with timeless scary, discreetly framing a distressed mother-daughter relationship against the backdrop of a fear-provoking monster metaphor.

The Main Plot
The film concentrates on a single mother, Kathy, and her young daughter Lizzy. Kathy struggles with alcohol addiction and is negligent, resulting in Lizzy presuming a more adult function in their relationship. After a decision that Lizzy should live with her father, they start a journey in the middle of the night, which takes an abrupt turn into scary when they struck a wolf on a secluded back road.

Their vehicle becomes stranded with the damaged engine and they are stuck to no methods of communication. This is when they have their first encounter with the film's namesake, 'The Monster.' The creature is wolf-like and embarks on a ruthless attack on the set which progresses throughout the movie.

Character Development and Symbolism
While battling the monster, we witness a slew of flashbacks from Lizzy that throw light on Kathy's harmful behaviour and neglect as a mother, showing the deep mental effect it has actually had. The movie artfully utilizes the physical beast as a metaphor for the real-life scary Lizzy has actually been living, captured in the battle of her mom's addiction.

Throughout the film, Kathy's character progresses as she is significantly undaunted in safeguarding her daughter. The alcoholic, neglectful mother actions up to face the danger endangering Lizzy, revealing a determination to compromise herself for her daughter.

Climactic Resolution
In a desperate effort to save Lizzy, Kathy draws the monster toward herself, enabling Lizzy to get away. Explicitly revealing her character's improvement from a self-centered, negligent mom to a self-sacrificing one. The "monster" kills Kathy in an intense scene that symbolizes her ultimate sacrifice. On the other hand, Lizzy, paralleling her mother, transitions from a child wielding adult obligations, to presenting raw nerve and durability in the face of risk, fighting and killing the monster.

Ending
The movie ends on a heavy note with Lizzy enduring the experience, physically and metaphorically increasing from the bloody battle and challenging her future without her mom. It discreetly hints that she may have managed to conquer the real-life 'monster' looming in her life, her mom's addiction, however at the significant cost of her mother's life.

General Analysis
"The Monster" exceptionally explores the theme of internal human beasts provided in our worries, addictions, and disregard. It does an impressive job communicating the complicated dynamics of a toxic parent-child relationship with remarkable efficiencies by its lead actors. The monster is utilized as effective significance, representing concrete external horror aligned with a sneaking internal one. Distinctively and impressively, the film supplies thrilling horror while commenting extensively on individual devils, duty, sacrifice and strength.

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