A Monster Calls
2016
***
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson
One night a massive tree-like monster appears to 13-year-old Conor. The monster promises to tell three separate stories which Conor hopes can help him explain his recurring nightmare about his mother's serious illness. J.A. Bayona's second feature in English is based on a 2011 novel by Patrick Ness. This is a wonderfully acted fantasy flavoured drama about grief and anguish. Although the film is consistently captivating, it cannot deliver the required emotional payoff.
