The Monster (2016)
A haunting horror-drama about a mother and daughter fighting to survive a terrifying creature in a rain-drenched forest.
The Monster - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Monster
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Bryan Bertino
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 11, 2016 (Brazil - 18), September 17, 2019 (South Korea)
- Alternative Titles: Un monstruo en el camino (AR), 公路之怪 (CN), There Are Monsters (US)
- Production Companies: Atlas Independent, Unbroken Pictures
- Production Countries: Canada, United States of America
The Monster - Plot
A mother and her 10-year old daughter are trapped in a forest. There is something in this forest. Something unlike anything they have heard before. Something that lurks in the darkness and it's coming after them.
The Monster - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the darkness close in:
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The Monster - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bryan Bertino
Main Cast
- Zoe Kazan
- Ella Ballentine
- Aaron Douglas
- Christine Ebadi
- Marc Hickox
- Scott Speedman
- Chris Webb
Writers
- Bryan Bertino
Producers
- William Green
- Adrienne Biddle
- Bryan Bertino
- Aaron L. Ginsburg
- Richard Suckle
The Monster - FAQs
What is The Monster (2016) about?
The Monster follows Kathy and her young daughter Lizzy, stranded on a rain-soaked road after a car accident deep in the woods. As night closes in, they realize something terrifying is hunting them. The film weaves survival horror with raw, emotional flashbacks exploring the fractured bond between mother and daughter.
Does The Monster have a happy ending?
The Monster ends on a bittersweet, emotionally devastating note. Without giving too much away, the conclusion prioritizes the emotional arc between Kathy and Lizzy over a conventional survival resolution. It's the kind of ending that lingers — more about love and sacrifice than simple escape.
Where can you stream The Monster (2016)?
You can stream The Monster on HBO Max. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to watch it.
What does the monster symbolize in the film?
The creature is widely interpreted as a physical manifestation of Kathy's failures as a mother — her alcoholism, neglect, and the damage she's caused Lizzy. Director Bryan Bertino uses the monster to externalize the family's internal trauma, making the horror feel deeply personal rather than purely supernatural.
Who are the main actors in The Monster?
Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine carry the entire film as Kathy and Lizzy. Their performances are the emotional core of the story. Scott Speedman and Aaron Douglas also appear in supporting roles, with Chris Webb credited as the Monster itself.
Is The Monster (2016) worth watching?
If you enjoy slow-burn horror with genuine emotional weight, absolutely. Critics praised the film for its restrained tension and powerful lead performances, particularly from Zoe Kazan and young Ella Ballentine. It's less about jump scares and more about dread — and the heartbreak between a mother and her daughter.
Who directed The Monster and what else has he made?
Bryan Bertino directed The Monster. He's best known for writing and directing The Strangers (2008), another stripped-down, atmospheric horror film. With The Monster, he again demonstrates a talent for building suffocating tension from minimal settings and deeply human relationships under threat.
Was The Monster (2016) a box office success?
Not commercially. Made on a modest budget of around $2.7 million, The Monster earned just $74,000 at the box office — a very limited theatrical run. However, it found a much warmer reception on home video and streaming, where its emotional depth and craft earned it a dedicated cult following.
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