The Monster

A mother named Kathy and her daughter Lizzy find themselves stranded deep in a remote forest under a heavy, menacing silence. There is something out there, something older and more elusive than any forest legend. They clutch to a map and to each other, trying to stay ahead of the unknown threat that slips through the trees at night. The forest becomes a tight, breathless space where every snapped twig and distant call raises the stakes. The film focuses on the way fear changes a mother's resolve and a child's bravely quiet courage, rather than on grand set pieces. No spoilers, just a mounting sense of danger. The tension never relies on loud shocks but on quiet, suffocating fear.

Directed by Bryan Bertino, The Monster arrived in 2016 as a tight horror drama featuring Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine. Written by Bertino, it was produced on a budget of about 2.7 million and released in a limited theatrical run.

Critics generally praised the performances, especially Zoe Kazan as the weary mother and Ella Ballentine as the stubborn, hopeful daughter, for delivering a raw, human core to a story that could feel like pure fear. The film’s strength lies in its focus on mood and character rather than jump scares; it uses isolation and a foreboding forest to explore themes of protection, guilt, and the limits of parental control. Some reviewers noted a deliberate pacing that rewards attention to atmosphere, while others found the tension slow but effective. In the end, The Monster asks what a parent will do to keep a child safe when the source of danger is unseen.

Although The Monster did not receive major award nominations, it drew attention in indie circuits for its compact storytelling and strong performances. Critics highlighted Bertino's restrained direction and the way the film turns fear into a close, emotionally charged experience.