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A Monster Calls

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for A Monster Calls PG-13 2017 1h 48m Fantasy Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 265 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little in common with his imperious grandmother. His father has resettled thousands of miles away. But Conor finds a most unlikely ally when the Monster (Liam Neeson) appears at his bedroom window one night. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.

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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls

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Critics Consensus

A Monster Calls deftly balances dark themes and fantastical elements to deliver an engrossing and uncommonly moving entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald 07/26/2017
4.5/5
A Monster Calls is an adaptation of a children's book with a title that makes it sound like a horror movie. Neither of these things should obscure the fact that it's the most mature film of the year -- and one of the most moving. Go to Full Review David Stratton The Australian 07/21/2017
4/5
It's a small, almost delicate film that will richly reward those who connect with it. Go to Full Review Angie Han Slashfilm 06/13/2017
7/10
If you're in the mood for emotional catharsis, A Monster Calls is one of the weepiest experiences I've had at the theater this year. Go to Full Review JD Duran InSession Film 08/08/2024
I loved A Monster Calls, and the moment I have to deal with tragedy, this is a film I will come back to. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast 07/16/2024
3.5/5
Occasionally janky FX aside, Bayona's film pulls on the heartstrings in the same way Ness' source material does. Go to Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film 06/18/2024
J.A. Bayona’s vision of Patrick Ness’ well regarded children’s book is a wild blend of gothic imagination and fairy tale charm, supported most importantly by an innocent look at grieving. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Carlos M @CarlosMZ 6d Es muy buena si de verdad te gustan las peliculas de fantasia me recuerda mucho a spiderwick un poco See more matthias S @Thescreenasvor Mar 23 Finally got around to *A Monster Calls* after it sitting on my watchlist forever. Big fan of Bayona, and he really delivers that dark, tense atmosphere he’s so good at. The creature looks amazing, and Liam Neeson’s voice is perfect—super powerful and emotional. The whole thing is clearly crafted with care, from visuals to performances. But for me, the writing is where it stumbles. It feels a bit over-layered, like it’s trying too hard to be deep, sad, and meaningful all at once. Still a solid watch, just not as impactful as I expected. See more Al M @Almatt Mar 22 Good watch, not a fan of school bullies I know that it happens, happened to me. Generally bullies grow up to be a bully, in the work place at home, to partners and their own children. The cycle goes on and on and on. There's a Roland Dal about the film. Young actor played a good moody youngster. Overall a good film See more Madam D @Madam1948 Mar 1 Such a powerful statement of love & family. The Yew tree is symbolic of many truths about this family. Facing life with support means we can deal with all it's hard truths. The special effects are perfect. Seen this several times. See more Kimmo K @Kimble98 Aug 19 One of the most emotional movies I have seen. See more Red A @RT69904096 Jul 27 A movie about tough times that I can relate to (it happened to my family member), A Monster Calls has a perfect blend of fantasy and reality that go hand-in-hand really nice. See more Read all reviews
A Monster Calls

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Cast & Crew

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Lewis MacDougall

Conor

Sigourney Weaver

Grandma

Felicity Jones

Mum

Toby Kebbell

Dad

Ben Moor

Mr. Clark

Movie Clips

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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Don't Touch Anything A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Don't Touch Anything 1:06 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - What Took You So Long? A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - What Took You So Long? 1:02 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Lunch Room A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Lunch Room 2:19 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - In the Eyes A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - In the Eyes 1:24 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Messily Ever After A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Messily Ever After 1:46 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Break the Windows A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Break the Windows 1:13 A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - I've Come to Get You A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - I've Come to Get You 2:03 View more videos

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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Science of Group Emotion A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Science of Group Emotion 3:25 A Monster Calls: Featurette - Making Of A Monster Calls: Featurette - Making Of 1:32 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 2 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 2 5:33 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 1 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 1 5:00 A Monster Calls: Featurette - Creating a Monster A Monster Calls: Featurette - Creating a Monster 1:43 A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Story Behind the Story A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Story Behind the Story 1:39 A Monster Calls: Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: Trailer 1 2:28 A Monster Calls: International Teaser Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: International Teaser Trailer 1 1:34 A Monster Calls: Teaser Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: Teaser Trailer 1 1:20 View more videos
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A Monster Calls

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little in common with his imperious grandmother. His father has resettled thousands of miles away. But Conor finds a most unlikely ally when the Monster (Liam Neeson) appears at his bedroom window one night. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.
Director
J. A. Bayona
Producer
Belén Atienza
Screenwriter
Patrick Ness
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Apaches Entertainment, La Trini, Telecinco Cinema
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Content|Some Scary Images)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 6, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.2M
Runtime
1h 48m
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