What Is A Monster Calls About?
The premise of A Monster Calls in 274 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a rain‑kissed English town where the ordinary hums beneath a thin veil of wonder, a twelve‑year‑old boy named Conor finds his world split between schoolyard routines and the uneasy quiet of his home. His mother, Lizzie, is battling a serious illness that casts a lingering shadow over the house, turning everyday moments into fragile acts of bravery. The film’s tone blends gentle melancholy with a touch of the fantastical, inviting the audience to feel the weight of grief while opening a doorway to the realm of imagination.
When night falls, the silence is broken by a deep, resonant voice that summons Conor to a towering figure of bark and bone—a colossal tree that transforms into the Monster. This imposing yet oddly compassionate presence offers three nighttime stories, each designed to coax the boy toward truths he has tucked away. The Monster’s narratives become a secret sanctuary, a place where the boundaries between reality and myth blur, and where the act of storytelling itself becomes a means of coping with loss, fear, and the raw edges of growing up.
Adding to the delicate family tapestry is Gran, whose arrival brings a stern yet caring influence that further complicates Conor’s emotional landscape. The interplay between the boy’s yearning for normalcy, his mother’s quiet strength, his grandmother’s firm guidance, and the Monster’s otherworldly counsel creates a rich, intimate portrait of a family teetering on the brink of change. Moodily rendered in muted colors and soft light, the film whispers of courage hidden in vulnerability, hinting that acceptance may arise not from grand gestures but from the quiet moments shared in stories told beneath a star‑filled sky.
What Happens in A Monster Calls?
The complete story of A Monster Calls, from the first scene to the last, in 458 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The story unfolds with Conor (Lewis MacDougall), a 12-year-old boy trapped in a haunting nightmare where he is clinging to his mother, only to let go as she tips towards an abyss. Waking up, he finds himself in the real world, where his mother, Lizzie (Felicity Jones), is battling cancer, evidenced by her hairless head. Over breakfast, she informs him about her upcoming chemotherapy session and mentions a visit from Conor’s grandmother, which Conor dreads. At school, he faces a bully who takes advantage of his vulnerability, further complicating his emotional turmoil.
That night, Conor is jolted awake when a booming voice calls his name. To his surprise, he encounters a towering tree that transforms into a Monster (Liam Neeson). The Monster tells Conor he will share three stories with him, and after that, Conor must tell his own truth, the truth he hides deep within. This exchange marks the beginning of a series of fantastical and educational tales revealing deeper lessons about morality, responsibility, and human complexities.
Conor’s grandmother, Gran (Sigourney Weaver), arrives the next morning and immediately begins overseeing Conor’s life, much to his displeasure. As tension mounts, Conor struggles with the weight of his feelings—both toward his mother’s condition and his familial relationships. One night, the Monster visitations turn into a cacophony of fantastical tales showcasing moral grey areas. From a prince entangled in his own deceit to an apothecary faced with ethical dilemmas, each story pushes Conor to grapple with his own emotional struggles and grief.
As days pass, Conor finds solace in these tales and begins to act out his frustrations, culminating in an explosive confrontation with his bully at school. Each encounter with the Monster becomes increasingly personal. He faces painful truths about himself, culminating in the revelation that he has called upon the Monster not merely to protect his mother but to heal his own anguish.
In the climax of this journey, Conor is forced back to the edge of his nightmare—the cliff—where he must confront the truth, a painfully human desire for resolution and release. It’s revealed that in order to move forward, he must let go of his mother—not when she dies, but in acceptance of her impending fate. The Monster validates Conor’s complexity as a human being, reminding him that it’s natural to wish for an end to suffering.
In the poignant finale, Conor’s emotional journey comes full circle as he and his grandmother find a way to live with their shared pain, cementing their bond through the love for Lizzie. Conor discovers a connection to his mother’s artwork, where he finds a mystical drawing of the Monster, revealing the breadth of their shared experiences and reminding us how stories intertwine our lives in mystical and unexpected ways.
A Monster Calls Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Nightmare Begins” to “The Power of Stories”. 7 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Nightmare Begins
Conor, a 12-year-old boy, finds himself in a haunting nightmare where he is clinging to his mother, Lizzie. As she tips toward an abyss, he struggles to maintain his grip, symbolizing his fear of losing her.
- 2
Reality Awakens
Conor awakens to the reality of his mother's battle with cancer, as evident by her hairless head. Over breakfast, Lizzie informs him about her upcoming chemotherapy session, foreshadowing the challenges ahead.
Where:Conor's home
- 3
Grandmother's Visit
Conor learns that his grandmother will be visiting, which fills him with dread. He feels the tension building as they prepare for her arrival, indicating a strained family dynamic.
Where:Conor's home
- 4
School Bully
At school, Conor faces a bully who exploits his emotional vulnerability. This confrontation underscores Conor's struggles, both at home and in his social environment, adding layers to his turmoil.
Where:School
- 5
Encounter with the Monster
That night, a booming voice jolts Conor awake, leading him to a towering tree that transforms into a Monster. This moment marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey where the Monster promises to share three stories.
- 6
First Story Begins
The Monster begins telling Conor his first story, revealing deeper insights into morality and responsibility. Through these tales, Conor learns that there are complexities in human emotions and relationships.
- 7
Gran Arrives
Conor's grandmother arrives the next morning, taking over Conor's life in a way that he resents. The tension between them escalates as she attempts to take charge of his world amidst his mother's illness.
Where:Conor's home
- 8
Lessons from Stories
As the Monster's tales unfold, they showcase moral gray areas, including a deceitful prince and an ethical apothecary. These stories challenge Conor to confront his emotions and the grief he harbors for his mother.
- 9
Confrontation at School
Conor finds an outlet for his turmoil and frustrations by confronting his bully at school. This pivotal moment spells a significant transformation in Conor's character as he begins to assert himself.
Where:School
- 10
Facing Painful Truths
Each encounter with the Monster becomes deeply personal, as it forces Conor to confront uncomfortable truths about himself. He realizes that he summoned the Monster not just for protection, but for his own healing.
Show the other 5 events of A Monster Calls Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Cliffside Confrontation
In a dramatic climax, Conor is taken back to the edge of his nightmare—a cliff that symbolizes his fear of losing his mother. Here, he must come to terms with the truth of her impending fate and his own desires.
- 12
Acceptance of Fate
Conor learns that to move forward, he must accept the reality of his mother's condition and let her go in a healthy way. This realization is crucial for his growth and emotional development.
- 13
Bonding with Gran
Post-revelation, Conor and his grandmother find a way to navigate their shared pain together. This process helps to solidify their bond as they learn to express love for Lizzie despite their losses.
Where:Conor's home
- 14
Discovering Connection
Conor uncovers one of his mother's artworks, revealing a mystical drawing of the Monster. This discovery emphasizes the connection between Conor and his mother, highlighting the intertwined nature of their experiences.
Where:Conor's home
- 15
The Power of Stories
In the end, Conor recognizes the power that stories have in shaping our lives and processing our emotions. The narrative intertwines their lives in unexpected ways, comforting him amidst his grief.
Who Are the Main Characters in A Monster Calls?
4 characters, among them Conor O'Malley, Lizzie O'Malley and The Monster: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CO
Conor O'Malley
Played by Lewis MacDougall
Conor is a 12-year-old boy burdened by the emotional weight of his mother's illness and his struggles with bullying at school. His character reflects resilience as he navigates rage, sadness, and acceptance throughout the film. Conor’s journey emphasizes the complexity of a child’s emotions and the necessity of confronting painful truths.
- 👦🏽 Child
- 😔 Grief
- 💪🏻 Resilience
-
Lizzie O'Malley
Played by Felicity Jones
Lizzie is Conor's mother, battling cancer with grace and warmth, despite the toll the illness takes on her. Her character embodies the fragile strength of a parent facing terminal illness, showcasing the deep bond between her and Conor. Lizzie’s struggles highlight the profound impact of her condition on her family’s emotional landscape.
- 😇 Mother
- 🌸 Hope
- 🌧️ Illness
-
The Monster
Played by Liam Neeson
The Monster takes the form of a towering tree and serves as a catalyst for Conor's emotional journey. He guides Conor through fantastical stories rich with moral complexity, pushing him to confront his fears and truths. Through his wise yet intimidating presence, the Monster helps illuminate Conor's path toward acceptance.
- 🌳 Mystical
- ✨ Guidance
- ⚖️ Truth
-
Gran
Played by Sigourney Weaver
Conor's grandmother embodies the role of authority and caregiver, yet her strict demeanor complicates Conor's emotional state. She carries her own grief over Lizzie's illness and navigates her relationship with Conor, making her both a source of support and conflict. Gran's character showcases the difficulties of maintaining family unity in hard times.
- 👵🏽 Grandmother
- 🏠 Caregiver
- 💔 Conflict
Where and When Is A Monster Calls Set?
A Monster Calls is set in Conor's home, School and Grandmother's house. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern challenges faced by families dealing with illness. Themes of grief and acceptance are timeless but resonate deeply in today's context, where conversations about mental health and emotional well-being are increasingly important.
Where
Conor's home, School, Grandmother's house
The film takes place primarily in Conor's home, where he grapples with the emotional turmoil of his mother's illness. School serves as a battleground for Conor's inner struggles, where he confronts bullies and his own vulnerabilities. His grandmother's house represents a shift in family dynamics, where traditional roles and expectations clash with the harsh reality of grief and acceptance.
- 🏠 Home
- 🎓 Education
- 🏡 Family
What Are the Themes of A Monster Calls?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Grief, Storytelling and Family.
-
01
Grief
Grief is a central theme in 'A Monster Calls,' as Conor struggles with his mother’s terminal illness. The film explores the complex emotions associated with loss, highlighting both the pain of impending separation and the necessity of acceptance. Through his encounters with the Monster, Conor learns that acknowledging his emotions is a vital step in processing his grief.
-
02
Storytelling
Storytelling serves as a crucial mechanism for exploring deeper truths in the film. The Monster's tales not only entertain but also provide Conor with valuable lessons about morality and personal responsibility. These narratives reflect the complexities of human experience, teaching Conor that stories can help illuminate the darkest corners of life and facilitate healing.
-
03
Family
Family relationships are depicted with rich nuance, capturing the balance of love and tension that exists within them. Conor's interactions with his mother and grandmother reveal the weight of familial expectations in times of crisis. Ultimately, the film underscores the importance of connection and understanding within a family, even amidst heartbreak and loss.
What Kind of Film Is A Monster Calls?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A melancholic and deeply moving fantasy-drama that uses a child's fantastical friendship with a tree monster as a vehicle to explore the painful, complex realities of grief and acceptance surrounding a parent's terminal illness.
- melancholic
- dreamlike
- cathartic
- grieving
- introspective
- somber
- grief and loss
- coming of age
- storytelling
- terminal illness
Content notes: terminal illness, cancer, child grieving, bullying.
Quiz
How well do you remember A Monster Calls? Test yourself on the story.
