Reel Review: Your Monster Will Have You Swooning Over a Beast

What happens when a seemingly shy girl falls for the terrifying and hairy beast who lives in her closet? Obviously an epic love story!

Your Monster first hit theaters back in 2024 and has since been trending with fans of the rom-com and horror genres. The film stars Melissa Barrera as Laura, an aspiring theater star, who is also struggling with a life-threatening illness. When her toxic boyfriend pulls the plug on their relationship, Laura finds comfort in the 4 walls of her bedroom. It’s here where she discovers her closet is also haunted by a hideous monster, who happens to be somewhat… attractive?

If there is one role Tommy Dewey can pull off, it’s an overbearing yet extremely charming monster. Laura and her monster have such lighthearted and funny banter in the beginning of the film as they get to know one another and are forced to live together. We don’t blame you Laura, the first 20 minutes of the film had us falling in love with the monster, too!

Dewey and Barrera’s chemistry is apparent from their first meeting and well throughout the rest of the film. As both Laura becomes more comfortable with her Monster, we see a transformation from the shy struggling girl in the beginning. Monster gives Laura the confidence to finally stand her ground against people that have walked all over her. Talk about women empowerment when she finally tells her cheating ex-boyfriend off in front of a whole theater!

The uplifting moments of the film are needed to contrast from the deeper subjects the story touches on. Laura experiences what it is like to make some pretty harsh mistakes and deal with the consequences of them. She also discovers a type of loneliness that can be very relatable at times and Barrera played these scenes so accurately. By the end of the film, Laura becomes a stronger version of herself thanks to Monster.

While Your Monster may give Beauty and the Beast vibes at the start, the ending is far from a Disney fairytale (though it certainly is a musical)! Our power couple serves rage, chaos, and also a full-blown murder?! The revenge plot combined into a murder musical sure makes for an interesting ending sequence, and somehow it just works for the aesthetic of the film!

Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey add so much personality to these already unique and authentic characters. Your Monster is officially the ultimate fantasy turned feminist film!

Your Monster is available to watch on Max now!