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Mystery thriller

Monstrous (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Monstrous (2022) movie poster

Monstrous is a 2022 mystery thriller directed by Chris Sivertson, starring Christina Ricci as Laura Butler, Santino Barnard and Colleen Camp. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $243,525 worldwide. Critics gave it 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Stream it on Paramount Plus and Paramount+, or rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
55%
worldwide gross
$243.5K
Echo Score
55
Monstrous (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Chris Sivertson
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Monstrous About?

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

Seeking peace from a difficult past, Christina Ricci’s character, Laura, and her young son Cody find a seemingly idyllic home near a serene lake. However, their retreat quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal as they are confronted by a monstrous presence and the resurfacing of their traumatic history. They must fight for survival against an unknown threat lurking nearby.

Monstrous Themes & Keywords

· 23 tags
  • supernatural thriller
  • suspense mystery
  • monster horror
  • supernatural horror
  • sadism
  • reference to mickey mouse
  • california
  • mother son relationship
  • pond
  • watching a movie on tv
  • reading aloud
  • speaking in rhyme
+11 more
  • city park
  • reference to roy rogers
  • reference to mamie eisenhower
  • reference to hotpoint
  • party invitation
  • balloon
  • typing pool
  • boss employee relationship
  • reference to ginger rogers
  • bar
  • bartender
Where to watch

Where to Watch Monstrous

Stream it on Paramount Plus and Paramount+, or rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Monstrous Cast & Characters

Christina Ricci leads the cast as Laura Butler, with Santino Barnard as Cody Butler and Colleen Camp as Mrs. Langtree. Directed by Chris Sivertson; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Monstrous

· 6 more
Ratings

Monstrous Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Monstrous 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

55 /100

Monstrous Echo Score Breakdown

Monstrous garners a mixed reception, anchored by Christina Ricci's consistently praised performance while stumbling on narrative cohesion and script depth. Critics acknowledge the film's atmospheric mood and occasional visual competence, yet many highlight an uneven pacing and underdeveloped horror elements. The cumulative effect yields a modest overall impression that may satisfy genre enthusiasts but offers limited incentive for repeat viewings.

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

  • Art & Craft 58

    In terms of cinematography and production design, the film shows moments of competence, especially noted by viewers who praised the camera work and visual equipment. However, critics point to uneven editing and a lack of cohesive visual flair, resulting in a mixed appraisal of the overall craft.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character work, Christina Ricci's performance is repeatedly highlighted as the film's strongest element, delivering nuanced emotional weight. Reviewers commend her ability to anchor the story, though secondary characters receive less attention. Overall, the acting contributes a solid, positive impression.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The narrative structure faces substantial criticism, with many reviewers describing the script as thin, the pacing as sluggish, and the horror payoff as low‑stakes. While a few note a compelling twist, the majority find the plot uneven and the storytelling ineffective, leading to a low story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual mood receive moderate acknowledgment. Some viewers appreciate the period‑appropriate ambiance and effective use of audio‑visual equipment, yet other critiques suggest the film fails to sustain a consistently immersive sensory experience throughout its runtime.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Rewatch potential is limited, as many reviewers describe the film as a one‑time experience that does not reward repeated viewing. The combination of weak narrative momentum and underwhelming horror sequences diminishes its lasting appeal, resulting in a low replay value score.

Plot

Monstrous Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Monstrous from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the 1950s, Laura Butler and her seven-year-old son, Cody Butler, embark on a journey to a secluded home in California, seeking refuge from her abusive ex-husband. However, their new life is overshadowed not only by the looming threat of his return but also by a mysterious monster that lurks in a nearby lake.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Monstrous Box Office

Monstrous grossed $243,525 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$243.5K

International
$243.5K
Videos

Monstrous Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Monstrous - "Phone Rings" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Monstrous?

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

What year is the film set in?

Details

Monstrous Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “괴이” and “怪异”.

Also known as
  • 괴이
  • 怪异
  • 怪異
  • Lời Nguyền Pho Tượng Cổ
  • พระพุทธรูปผีสิง
  • Проклятый
  • מפלצתי

Seen Monstrous?

FAQ

Monstrous FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Monstrous, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Monstrous?

Monstrous runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Monstrous released?

Monstrous was released on May 13, 2022.

Who directed Monstrous?

Monstrous was directed by Chris Sivertson.

More films by Chris Sivertson

Who is in the cast of Monstrous?

Monstrous stars Christina Ricci as Laura Butler, Santino Barnard as Cody Butler and Colleen Camp as Mrs. Langtree, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Monstrous?

In the US, Monstrous is streaming on Paramount Plus and Paramount+ and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Monstrous make at the box office?

Monstrous grossed $243,525 worldwide.

How is Monstrous rated?

Monstrous has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Monstrous have a post-credit scene?

No. Monstrous has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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