Monster (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Monster is a 2021 crime drama directed by Anthony Mandler, starring Jennifer Hudson as Mrs. Harmon, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Jeffrey Wright. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $42.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Anthony Mandler
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Monster About?
The premise of Monster without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
This gripping drama follows Steve Harmon, a bright teenager whose life takes a dramatic turn when he’s accused of a crime. The film chronicles his experience navigating the justice system, from his high school to the courtroom, as he struggles to prove his innocence. Through his perspective, the story explores the complexities of guilt, perception, and the fight for freedom in a tense and emotional journey.
Monster Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- boy boy relationship
- elementary school
- gay
- mother son relationship
- teacher student relationship
- children in love
- gay interest
- coming of age
- bullying
- gay love
- repeated scene from a different perspective
- multiple versions of same scene
+38 more Show fewer
- contradictory accounts
- three versions of same story
- school bully
- mother
- dead father
- harassment
- jumping out of a moving car
- father
- child
- children
- life
- suspense
- suspense thriller
- suburb
- maestro
- fire building
- blood
- violence
- town
- son
- principal
- school
- student
- classroom
- teacher
- fire
- building on fire
- single mother
- car accident
- hospital
- death
- dead cat
- love
- train car
- flashback
- multiple perspectives
- coming of age drama
- lie
Monster Cast & Characters
Jennifer Hudson leads the cast as Mrs. Harmon, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Steve Harmon and Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Harmon. Directed by Anthony Mandler; 16 actors are credited in all.
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Director Anthony Mandler
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Jennifer Hudson as Mrs. Harmon -
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Steve Harmon -
Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Harmon -
Tim Blake Nelson as Leroy Sawicki
Also Starring in Monster
· 12 more- Jennifer Ehle Maureen O'Brien
- Willie C. Carpenter Judge
- Paul Ben-Victor Anthony Petrocelli
- Mikey Madison Alexandra Floyd
- John David Washington Richard 'Bobo' Evans
- Dorian Missick Asa Briggs
- Roberto Lopez Mr. Nesbitt
- Jharrel Jerome
- Alejandro Hernandez
- Carl Johansson Court Officer #2
- Kelvin Hale Court Officer
- Rakim Mayers
More from Anthony Mandler
More films directed by Anthony Mandler, best-rated first: Surrounded, Usher: Rendezvous in Paris, Happiness Continues and Please Forgive Me.
Monster Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Monster 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (60).
Monster Echo Score Breakdown
Monster presents a mixed cinematic experience, with its strongest attribute being the performances that often elevate the material. Direction and visual composition receive both commendation for moments of striking craftsmanship and criticism for uneven pacing and editing. The narrative structure is praised for its layered perspective yet faulted for uneven development and predictability. Sensory elements such as soundtrack and visual style oscillate between evocative and disjointed. Replay value is modestly enhanced by the film's emotional resonance and structural ambition, resulting in an overall middling but respectable impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
In terms of direction and visual execution, the film alternates between strikingly crafted scenes and noticeably uneven editing. Positive remarks highlight its beautiful cinematography and moments of artistic flair, while criticism points to choppy transitions and a broad-strokes approach that undermines cohesion. The overall artistic impression is therefore moderately favorable but hampered by inconsistency.
- Character & Emotion 85
When evaluating acting and emotional depth, the ensemble delivers consistently strong performances that often compensate for narrative weaknesses. Actors are described as nuanced, with several reviewers noting their ability to convey interiority and generate empathy. The chemistry among the cast and the authenticity of character portrayals receive high praise, leading to a robust assessment of this aspect.
- Story & Flow 65
The film's storytelling balances originality in structure with uneven plot development. Critics cite underdeveloped pacing and a derivative monologue, yet many viewers appreciate the layered perspective and thematic resonance. While the narrative offers moments of engagement and thoughtful insight, its overall coherence and originality remain mixed, placing it in a modestly positive range.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensory components such as soundtrack and visual style are described as both evocative and occasionally jarring. Praise is given for compelling visual moments and a well‑matched score in certain scenes, whereas other feedback notes intrusive, music‑video‑like editing that disrupts immersion. Consequently, the sensory experience is judged as ambivalently effective.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Regarding replay value, the film’s emotional layers and shifting perspectives encourage repeated viewings for deeper appreciation. Several audiences label it a favorite and note lasting impact, while some critics find the material familiar enough to limit rewatch appeal. Overall, the film offers modest but notable incentives for subsequent watches.
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IMDb 7.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 91%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 6.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
Monster Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Monster from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Saori Mugino, a devoted single mother, finds herself deeply concerned about her fifth-grade son, Minato, who has started displaying peculiar behaviors. These troubling signs include cutting his own hair and returning home wearing only one shoe. The situation escalates when, one fateful night, Minato fails to come home at all. After several frantic phone calls, Saori ultimately discovers her son in an abandoned train tunnel. This incident prompts her to suspect that Minato’s teacher, Mr. Hori, may be mistreating him, leading her to confront the school administration. Unfortunately, she is met with an unempathetic response from the faculty, culminating in a hollow apology from Mr. Hori.
Full summary
The whole story of Monster, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Monster Box Office
Monster grossed $42.1 million worldwide. $15.2 million came from the US and Canada and $27 million (64%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$42.1M
- US & Canada
- $15.2M
- International
- $27M
Monster Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Monster.
How Well Do You Know Monster?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character raising her son in 'Monster'?
Seen Monster?
Movies Like Monster
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Monster, Closet Monster and Monsters and Men.
Articles About Monster
2 articles about Monster. The latest: “The Art of the Biopic: Telling Real-Life Stories on Screen”.
Monster FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Monster, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Monster?
Monster runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Monster released?
Monster was released on May 7, 2021.
Who directed Monster?
Monster was directed by Anthony Mandler.
More films by Anthony Mandler Who is in the cast of Monster?
Monster stars Jennifer Hudson as Mrs. Harmon, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Steve Harmon and Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Harmon, among 16 credited actors.
How much did Monster make at the box office?
Monster grossed $42.1 million worldwide ($15.2 million domestic, $27 million international).
How is Monster rated?
Monster has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Does Monster have a post-credit scene?
No. Monster has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Monster in?
The original language of Monster is Japanese.
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