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Horror thriller

Monster (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Monster (2024) movie poster

Monster is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Rako Prijanto, starring Alex Abbad as Jack, Marsha Timothy and Anantya Kirana. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $20.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$20.5M
Echo Score
95
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Monster (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Rako Prijanto
Genres
Horror , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Monster About?

The premise of Monster without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Two young women are held captive by a sadistic man with a terrifying secret. As they struggle to escape, they must confront their deepest fears and rely on their wits to survive a harrowing ordeal filled with unimaginable horror.

Monster Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • witch
  • summer
  • child abduction
  • baseball
  • teen horror
  • child gagged
  • bound and gagged
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Cast & crew

Monster Cast & Characters

Alex Abbad leads the cast as Jack, with Marsha Timothy as Murni and Anantya Kirana as Alana. Directed by Rako Prijanto; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Rako Prijanto

More films directed by Rako Prijanto: A Business Proposal, The Female Followers of the Devil: Part 2, The Female Followers of the Devil and Miracle Baby.

Full filmography
Ratings

Monster Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Monster 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 95/100, strongest in character & emotion (96) and weakest in sensory experience (88).

95 /100

Monster Echo Score Breakdown

Monster excels as a cohesive, emotionally resonant work that leverages its triptych structure to deepen viewer engagement. Critics highlight Hirokazu Kore‑eda’s masterful direction, precise editing, and subtle cinematography, while users praise the film’s compelling twists and layered storytelling. The soundtrack and visual palette complement the shifting perspectives, creating a sensory backdrop that reinforces the narrative. Together these elements give the film strong rewatch value, encouraging audiences to revisit and reassess its themes. The net impression is that Monster delivers a powerful, repeatable cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 94

    In terms of art and craft, Monster demonstrates meticulous direction and visual composition. Critics note Kore‑eda’s beautiful direction, forensic editing, and a cinematography that blends melancholy with clarity, while the score subtly underscores the imagery. User commentary also praises the down‑to‑earth set design and the way the camera follows each perspective. These observations indicate a high level of technical proficiency that enhances the film’s emotional weight.

  • Character & Emotion 96

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are consistently lauded. Critics describe the cast as delivering nuanced, empathetic portrayals that amplify the film’s thematic depth, and users highlight Charlie Hunnam’s standout presence alongside Sakura Ando’s heartfelt motherly role. The young actors are noted for their authenticity, allowing the shifting viewpoints to feel genuinely lived. Overall, the acting contributes a convincing emotional core that anchors the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 92

    Story and flow benefit from the film’s Rashomon‑esque structure, which presents three complementary viewpoints. Critics commend the screenplay for weaving these perspectives into a cohesive whole without resorting to gimmickry, and users praise the deliberate pacing that balances suspense with heartfelt moments. While some note a methodical tempo, the overall consensus is that the narrative’s originality and measured progression sustain engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    The sensory experience is marked by a restrained yet effective score and thoughtful visual styling. Critics mention a hidden melancholy in the cinematography that emerges as the plot twists, while users comment on the down‑to‑earth set design and how the music accentuates emotional beats. These elements coalesce to provide an atmospheric backdrop that supports, rather than overwhelms, the story.

  • Rewatch Factor 95

    Rewatch factor is heightened by the film’s layered narrative, which reveals new details on subsequent viewings. Critics emphasize the puzzle‑like structure that invites audiences to reassess character motives, and users describe a distinctly different experience the second time, noting fresh emotional nuances and altered interpretations. This cumulative depth suggests the film retains strong appeal beyond an initial watch.

Plot

Monster Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Monster from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Saori Mugino is a devoted single mother raising her fifth-grade son, Minato, who starts showing unusual, troubling behaviors. He begins by cutting his own hair and returning home with only one shoe, a small, unsettling pattern that suggests something deeper may be happening. One night, Minato vanishes, and when Saori finally tracks him down, she finds him in an abandoned train tunnel. The fear and worry she feels push her to question what is happening at home and in his life.

Full summary

The whole story of Monster, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Monster Box Office

Monster grossed $20.5 million worldwide. $434,585 came from the US and Canada and $20 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$20.5M

US & Canada
$434.6K
International
$20M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Videos

Monster Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2 [Subtitled]
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Minato's mother?

Seen Monster?

FAQ

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 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Monster released?

Monster was released on May 16, 2024.

Who directed Monster?

Monster was directed by Rako Prijanto.

More films by Rako Prijanto

Who is in the cast of Monster?

Monster stars Alex Abbad as Jack, Marsha Timothy as Murni and Anantya Kirana as Alana, among 4 credited actors.

How much did Monster make at the box office?

Monster grossed $20.5 million worldwide ($434,585 domestic, $20 million international).

How is Monster rated?

Monster has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80% on TMDB and 4.3/5 on Letterboxd.

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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