Your Monster

Most kids, at one time or another, thought there was a monster either hiding under their bed or in their closet. As children, that fear felt real. Pixar even showed us how our screams helped power a whole world. Of course, that isn’t real, and I’m pretty sure there are no monsters under our beds waiting to grab our feet as we sleep. But what if they were real? And not only did they scare you as a kid, but when you got older, they became your sort of roommate? That’s not exactly what Caroline Lindy’s new film Your Monster is about, but think of it as Beauty and the Beast with heavier relationship advice.

Laura (Melissa Barrera) is about to star in a role made just for her, having helped her boyfriend Jacob (Edmund Donovan) create the perfect character in the play he’s writing. However, life has other plans. Laura falls ill, and Jacob, being the “great guy” he is, decides it’s too much for him and leaves her—while she’s still in the hospital. Laura, of course, doesn’t take it well, and while recovering, she moves into her mother’s house to cry and try to move on. The problem is, she’s not alone, but the guest in her house isn’t the kind you’d want around. It turns out Laura had a monster in her closet growing up, and that monster (Tommy Dewey) has taken quite a liking to her home.

Laura and the Monster find a way to coexist, and as Laura starts getting back to her life—even auditioning for the role her ex wrote for her—she begins to discover her own strength. Though she doesn’t get the part, she lands another role, and during this time, she and the Monster start discovering their own magic. It seems love is in the air, but that’s not all, as things take a messy turn.

Written and directed by Lindy, Your Monster feels like a modern adaptation of fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast. The comparisons don’t end with the idea; Monster even shares some physical traits with the Beast. However, that’s where the similarities stop, as Lindy beautifully balances horror and romance. The film is also quite playful, which allows it to explore deeper themes with humor, making it all go down smoothly.

Your Monster might sound like a silly idea, but you’ll be surprised by its sweetness and genuine warmth. Much of that comes from the natural chemistry between Barrera and Dewey, which makes their growing relationship more believable. While their chemistry is strong, the true star is Barrera, who shines as Laura. She gets to show off her musical theater background, her comedic chops, and her ability to fully embrace the character’s anger. Lindy has delivered a confident film with Your Monster, a story that blends genres and themes in a way that will appeal to almost anyone.