Monstrous 2022

Mystery

Thriller

Horror

Box Office

$244K

Runtime

89 min

Language

English

Directed by

Chris Sivertson

Made by

Screen Media Films

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Monstrous (2022). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

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.

As they try to settle into their new environment, Laura juggles sending Cody to school, preparing his lunches, and working at a typing job. Meanwhile, Cody becomes increasingly frightened by an entity that seems to haunt him at night. After a direct encounter with this ominous creature, he begins to refer to it as the “pretty lady from the lake.” Despite this strange familiarity, Cody longs to return home and often argues with his mother about it. He displays signs of sadness and depression, especially as his birthday approaches.

In a bid to cheer him up, Laura organizes a birthday party, sending out invitations to his classmates. However, Cody insists that no one will come, even as she encourages him to give it a shot. They go all out to decorate their home with colorful balloons and prepare delicious meals, but the day ends in disappointment when not a single guest arrives. Overwhelmed with despair, Laura turns to alcohol and ultimately quits her job.

In a frantic attempt to find Cody, she heads to his school only to discover he is missing. Seeking help, she approaches a policeman for assistance. This leads her to the police station, where a woman prompts her to recall an incident from the previous year when Cody had an accident. Reliving the moment, Laura recounts shopping for groceries while her husband watched their son. Tragically, Cody fell into the pool, and by the time she returned, it was too late. She believes the paramedics revived him, but a sense of dread hangs in the air. After requesting water, she exits the police station feeling distraught.

Upon returning home, Laura is met with the heart-wrenching sight of Cody waiting for her. He pleads with her to let him go, insisting he belongs with the “pretty lady of the lake.” The shocking reality dawns on her: Cody had died in the accident, and her mind had conjured this 1950s existence as a way to cope with her unbearable grief. The truth is that the current year is actually 2022, and everything she believed was a mere illusion.

Finally, after a tumultuous internal struggle, Laura makes the heart-wrenching decision to allow Cody to accompany the “pretty lady in the lake.” In doing so, she achieves a profound sense of peace, releasing herself from the shackles of her delusion. Laura leaves behind her California home, marking a significant step toward healing and acceptance.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Monstrous (2022) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Journey to a New Home

In the 1950s, Laura Butler and her son Cody embark on a journey to a secluded home in California, seeking refuge from Laura's abusive ex-husband. This move symbolizes a fresh start, but also introduces them to new challenges that will test their resilience.

1950s California

Settling Into New Life

As Laura tries to establish a routine, she balances daily tasks like sending Cody to school, preparing lunches, and working at a typing job. However, her attempts at normalcy are clouded by the lingering threat of her ex-husband's return.

Cody's Nightly Frights

Cody starts experiencing terror at night from a mysterious entity that haunts him. He names this frightening presence the 'pretty lady from the lake,' creating a sense of eerie familiarity that deepens his fears and withdraws him from his mother.

Conflict Over Returning Home

Cody's emotional state worsens as he expresses a strong desire to return to their old home, leading to arguments with Laura. Despite her efforts to reassure him, Cody's sadness heightens as his birthday approaches, revealing deeper issues of grief and loneliness.

The Birthday Party Plan

In an effort to uplift Cody's spirits, Laura organizes a birthday party and sends out invitations to his classmates. They decorate their home with balloons, hoping to create a joyful atmosphere, but Cody remains skeptical about anyone attending.

A Disappointing Birthday

The day of Cody's birthday arrives, but to Laura's dismay, not a single guest comes to the party. Overcome with disappointment and feeling hopeless, Laura turns to alcohol to cope with her growing despair, leading her to quit her job.

Cody Goes Missing

In a frantic search for Cody after he fails to return home, Laura rushes to his school. Her heart sinks as she discovers he is missing, prompting her to seek assistance from the police, indicating a deepening crisis.

School

A Dark Memory Revealed

At the police station, a woman makes Laura recall an incident from the past year when Cody had a near-drowning accident. Reliving the tragic moment adds to Laura's torment as she recounts the painful details of that day, forever etched in her memory.

Police Station

The Revelation of Loss

Returning home, Laura is confronted by the haunting sight of Cody waiting for her. He begs her to let him go, leading Laura to a shocking realization; Cody had died in the accident, and her current life was merely a delusion crafted from her grief.

Home

Accepting the Truth

As the reality of her son's death sinks in, Laura battles her emotions, ultimately choosing to allow Cody to go with the 'pretty lady in the lake.' This decision brings her a long-awaited sense of peace, allowing her to confront her grief and guilt.

A New Beginning

With sorrowful acceptance, Laura leaves her California home, symbolizing a significant step towards healing. This decision to let go represents her readiness to face a future without Cody, moving past her delusions and into reality.

2022 California

Characters

Explore all characters from Monstrous (2022). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Laura Butler (Christina Ricci)

Laura is a devoted mother seeking to provide her son with a safe environment while battling her tumultuous past. Her character is marked by resilience, yet she succumbs to overwhelming grief as she struggles to accept her son's tragic fate. Laura's journey reflects the challenges of moving on after a profound loss.

👩‍👦 Motherhood 💪 Resilience

Cody Butler (Santino Barnard)

Cody is a young boy who embodies innocence and vulnerability. His encounters with the mysterious entity symbolize his internal struggles as he grapples with the loss of his mother and the reality of his own death. His character brings emotional depth to the story, highlighting the impact of trauma on a child.

👦 Child 😢 Loss

Setting

Learn where and when Monstrous (2022) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1950s, 2022

The film initially portrays the 1950s, a time marked by traditional family values and social expectations. However, it is revealed that the present time is actually 2022, showcasing how Laura's struggles are intertwined with her past trauma and present delusions.

Location

California

The story unfolds in a secluded area of California, where Laura Butler seeks a new beginning away from her abusive past. This picturesque yet isolated setting serves as both a refuge and a source of haunting memories, amplifying the tension as Laura faces her fears and the presence of a mysterious monster.

🏡 Home 🌅 Secluded

Themes

Discover the main themes in Monstrous (2022). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Grief

Grief permeates Laura's journey as she grapples with the loss of her son, Cody. The film explores the depths of her emotional turmoil as she creates an illusory world in an attempt to cope with her unbearable pain. Ultimately, the theme highlights the need for acceptance and the difficult journey toward healing.

👻

Supernatural

The presence of the 'pretty lady from the lake' introduces a supernatural element that serves as a manifestation of Laura's guilt and grief. This entity becomes a haunting figure, symbolizing the struggles Laura faces within herself as she confronts her past and the loss of her child.

Monstrous Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Monstrous (2022) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

The ending of “Monstrous” reveals that Cody, the boy we’ve been seeing, is actually a ghost—his death from a drowning accident a year earlier has been a source of guilt and trauma for Laura. The visions of Cody and the “pretty lady from the pond” are manifestations of her psychic mind, which creates these spirits to cope with her grief. Throughout the film, Laura struggles with her memories and her denial, attempting to hold onto her son and prevent herself from facing the truth of his death. When Cody finally tells her that she needs to let him go and reassures her that it was just an accident, it becomes clear that the boy is no longer part of this world. Laura’s psychic connection with her grandmother’s spirit also plays a role in shaping her perception—her grandmother’s photo and spirit appear as a demonic figure, symbolizing her guilt and the monstrous burden of her grief. In the film’s climax, Laura accepts that she must release Cody’s spirit, and as she does, her grandmother’s true peaceful form is revealed, and Cody is taken away to the afterlife. The ending signifies that confronting one’s guilt and pain is the key to healing, and that sometimes, the true monsters are the feelings we hide deep inside. Ultimately, “Monstrous” explores how guilt can manifest as supernatural horror, and how acceptance can bring peace.

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