Love and Monsters a Fulfilling, Exciting Hero's Journey

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Love and Monsters

We've seen movies like LOVE AND MONSTERS before. At least, that's the first impression one gets when first meeting Joel, played by Joel: Dylan O'Brien (Teen Wolf, Bumblebee). He's a bit of a lovable loser living in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by giant monsters created by a bizarre radiation fallout. He lives with a small underground colony of hunters and gatherers, where he serves as the cook because he freezes up when danger threatens. Right then, you know that this is going to be Joel's personality throughout the show, and he's going to luck his way into some kind of victory using his one unique skill that only he could pull off. And you couldn't be more wrong. First off, despite his lack of skill as a fighter, the colony loves him. They all want to protect him and watch out for him.

But Joel has his sights set on making his way over the treacherous terrain to another colony he has contacted via radio -- a colony ninety miles away where he's discovered his pre-apocalypse girlfriend, Aimee (Jessica Henwick, Godzilla vs. Kong) has made it. Seeing as how they can't deter Joel, his colony lets him leave with their blessings and a map for what will be a seven-day journey -- every minute of which is fraught with deadly peril at every turn.

But rather than blunder his way forward with slapstick and luck, Joel encounters another pair of survivors -- Clyde (Guardians of the Galaxy's Michael Rooker) and his partner, an eight-year-old girl named Minnow (Ariana Greenblat, Avengers: Infinity War). They take him under their wing and teach him the survival skills he's going to need if he's going to make it to the ocean. And to the delight of the audience, Joel actually does learn, acquiring the necessary survival skills needed to become the hero he's going to need to be.

Brian Duffield's story isn't done with us just yet, however. When Joel finally does make it to Amy's colony, he's in for more than one surprise. it's going to take every bit of the skills he's acquired to face off againat the monster that awaits him, one deadlier than any beast encountered on his journey thus far.

LOVE AND MONSTERS is an exciting, optimistic experience for anyone whose ever loved a giant monster film, from Mysterious Island to Wrath of the Titans. Viewers will find in Joel a relatable hero who starts out with nothing but a dream and earns his way to being able to save his friends. Check this one out today!

Grade: 
4.5 / 5.0