*full disclosure: a Blu-ray copy of this film was provided by Lionsgate. Director: Bryan Bertino. Writer: Bryan Bertino. Cast: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine and Aaron Douglas. Tagline: "Fear Can Kill You!" The Monster is a creature feature from The Strangers' (2008) director Bryan Bertino. Bertino has admitted that he likes writing "dark dramas" and The Monster is a blend of drama with horror. The film's central plot involves a mother and daughter road trip. But, this trip crosses the lair of a bat-like monstrosity. The mother-daughter relationship is a strange one, with the younger Lizzy (Ella Ballentine) parenting the not much older Kathy (Zoe Kazan). There is no meta-level here as stated by the director. Instead, this is a "monster movie." And, this is an enjoyable creature feature, that will draw many horror viewers into the dark abyss. Much of the film is told via a backstory. The backstories show Kathy and her struggle with alcoholism and other self-destructive behaviour. A...

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