Hirokazu Kore-eda movie Monster screened at Jio MAMI 2023 and it is a masterclass on layered storytelling and the power of perspectives.

&#8216;Monster&#8217; at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives

Who is the monster? A question that had the hundreds of cinephiles seated at the
theatre in its grip. A question that Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster answers in
three different ways at its recent screening at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film
Festival. It is in the unraveling of the three answers that the 128-minute film
really shines.

Throughout the runtime, one gets three possible monsters, but as the climax
closes in, the question is raised again and this time it is for the audience to
decide.

Disclaimer: Major spoilers ahead


MAGIC OF PERSPECTIVES IN HIROKAZU KORE-EDA’S MONSTER

The movie opens with Minato Mugino, who seems to be getting injuries he refuses
to talk about. His mother, Saori Mugino, soon coaxes the truth out of him after
he goes missing for hours, only to try jumping out of the car once found. Turns
out, his math teacher, Michitoshi Hori, has been bullying him. What follows is a
mother’s tussle with the school to ensure her son’s safety. But that’s just the
tip of the iceberg.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Undoubtedly, through Monster Kore-eda attempts to touch upon a supposed social
taboo and how it often has a ripple effect on the lives of many. But what he
truly ends up showcasing alongside is the reality of truth. Or rather, it makes
you question what truth is and how factual the truths we believe in are. Because
Monster gives you three truths and it is up to you to decide which one is the
fact.

ALSO READ: Khufiya (2023) Review: Grounded Reflection of Intelligence Agents
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-original-news-khufiya-review-grounded-reflection-of-intelligence-agents/]

Saori’s perspective, which showed the math teacher as the monster, soon
transitions into Michitoshi’s side of things. Through his eyes, the story
unravels to show a bully (Minato) playing the victim and costing him his job and
relationship. While you are still reeling from Michitoshi’s story, you get the
third perspective that unveils the true monster.


WHO IS THE REAL MONSTER?

The final perspective Kore-eda gives us in Monster is from Minato, who was the
catalyst of it all. It is here the crux of the movie unravels. We understand why
Minato cut his hair (to deny the feelings blooming in him for his friend, Yori),
why he threw a tantrum in the class, resulting in a bloody nose that implicated
Michitoshi (to protect Yori from bullying indirectly), why Yori bore burn marks
on his hand (from his father who punished him for liking boys), why Minato and
Yori lied about their teacher’s behavior (to protect each other and themselves
from the stigma).

From Minato’s perspective, we come full circle and to an understanding of the
real monster. Ironically enough, there is no monster in the film’s world—at
least it is not a living being. When you analyze why Yori’s father was abusive,
why school bullies were mean to a supposed homosexual Yori, or why Minato
desperately wanted to deny and hide his growing feelings, the cause of it all is
clear: norms and expectations.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Societal expectations of heterosexuality drove Minato’s and Yori’s father’s
actions, the expectation of a school and its principal having impeccable image
drove the principal’s actions, and the expectations they have set for themselves
as a mother and teacher drove Saori and Michitoshi’s actions.


QUICK TAKE

In the 21st century, we are more open to different sexualities and sexual
preferences, at least on a surface level. But in many parts of the world, things
are still very rigid, and Kore-eda shows the impact of this rigidness through
Monster, where people lie and hurt (themselves and others) to avoid being a
pariah.

ALSO READ: The Swan (2023): Review and Ending Explained 
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-netflix-original-news-the-swan-wes-anderson-review-and-ending-explained-ralph-fiennes-rupert-friend/]

Monster is set to get its US release, starting in New York on November 22,
followed by Los Angeles in December before being available across the country.

Parvathi Ajith

Comment

&#8216;Monster&#8217; at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives - Netflix Junkie

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Parvathi Ajith is a Hollywood news reporter and Editor at Netflix Junkie. So much is her love for reporting that she started her journey with an internship at New Indian Express where she covered all the hot news of the entertainment industry. With her prior experience of being an editor, she aims to do interviews and reviews here in NJ. While writing is her first love, there exists a second which is crime thrillers. Taking her love forward, Parvathi became a published author with her book 'The Rathores'.  Apart from this, she is always reading a crime thriller in her free time or just simply singing in between serious meetings that cheer the spirits of those around her. On a day she wants to relax, you will see her watching Demon Slayer, Brooklyn-99, or her all-time favorite, Runaway Bride.

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&#8216;Monster&#8217; at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives - netflix-junkie

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Who is the monster? A question that had the hundreds of cinephiles seated at the theatre in its grip. A question that Hirokazu Kore-eda&#8217;s Monster answers in three different ways at its recent screening at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. It is in the unraveling of the three answers that the 128-minute film really shines.
Throughout the runtime, one gets three possible monsters, but as the climax closes in, the question is raised again and this time it is for the audience to decide.
Disclaimer: Major spoilers ahead
<h2>Magic of perspectives in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster</h2>
The movie opens with Minato Mugino, who seems to be getting injuries he refuses to talk about. His mother, Saori Mugino, soon coaxes the truth out of him after he goes missing for hours, only to try jumping out of the car once found. Turns out, his math teacher, Michitoshi Hori, has been bullying him. What follows is a mother’s tussle with the school to ensure her son’s safety. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-147352 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907.png" alt="" width="1920" height="796" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907.png 1920w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-300x124.png 300w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-1024x425.png 1024w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-768x318.png 768w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-1536x637.png 1536w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-370x153.png 370w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-800x332.png 800w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-185x77.png 185w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-740x307.png 740w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-20x8.png 20w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-400x166.png 400w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-1600x663.png 1600w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-2-e1699082743907-116x48.png 116w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
Undoubtedly, through Monster Kore-eda attempts to touch upon a supposed social taboo and how it often has a ripple effect on the lives of many. But what he truly ends up showcasing alongside is the reality of truth. Or rather, it makes you question what truth is and how factual the truths we believe in are. Because Monster gives you three truths and it is up to you to decide which one is the fact.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-original-news-khufiya-review-grounded-reflection-of-intelligence-agents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khufiya (2023) Review: Grounded Reflection of Intelligence Agents</a>
Saori’s perspective, which showed the math teacher as the monster, soon transitions into Michitoshi’s side of things. Through his eyes, the story unravels to show a bully (Minato) playing the victim and costing him his job and relationship. While you are still reeling from Michitoshi’s story, you get the third perspective that unveils the true monster.
<h2>Who is the real monster?</h2>
The final perspective Kore-eda gives us in Monster is from Minato, who was the catalyst of it all. It is here the crux of the movie unravels. We understand why Minato cut his hair (to deny the feelings blooming in him for his friend, Yori), why he threw a tantrum in the class, resulting in a bloody nose that implicated Michitoshi (to protect Yori from bullying indirectly), why Yori bore burn marks on his hand (from his father who punished him for liking boys), why Minato and Yori lied about their teacher’s behavior (to protect each other and themselves from the stigma).
From Minato’s perspective, we come full circle and to an understanding of the real monster. Ironically enough, there is no monster in the film’s world—at least it is not a living being. When you analyze why Yori’s father was abusive, why school bullies were mean to a supposed homosexual Yori, or why Minato desperately wanted to deny and hide his growing feelings, the cause of it all is clear: norms and expectations.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-147353 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826.png" alt="" width="1920" height="811" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826.png 1920w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-300x127.png 300w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-1024x433.png 1024w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-768x324.png 768w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-1536x649.png 1536w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-370x156.png 370w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-800x338.png 800w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-185x78.png 185w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-740x313.png 740w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-20x8.png 20w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-400x169.png 400w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-1600x676.png 1600w, https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster-3-e1699082834826-114x48.png 114w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
Societal expectations of heterosexuality drove Minato’s and Yori’s father’s actions, the expectation of a school and its principal having impeccable image drove the principal’s actions, and the expectations they have set for themselves as a mother and teacher drove Saori and Michitoshi’s actions.
<h2>Quick take</h2>
In the 21st century, we are more open to different sexualities and sexual preferences, at least on a surface level. But in many parts of the world, things are still very rigid, and Kore-eda shows the impact of this rigidness through Monster, where people lie and hurt (themselves and others) to avoid being a pariah.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-netflix-original-news-the-swan-wes-anderson-review-and-ending-explained-ralph-fiennes-rupert-friend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Swan (2023): Review and Ending Explained </a>
Monster is set to get its US release, starting in New York on November 22, followed by Los Angeles in December before being available across the country.

The Swan (2023): Review and Ending Explained 

Khufiya (2023) Review: Grounded Reflection of Intelligence Agents

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'Monster' at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives - Netflix Junkie

Parvathi Ajith is a Hollywood news reporter and Editor at Netflix Junkie. So much is her love for reporting that she started her journey with an internship at New Indian Express where she covered all the hot news of the entertainment industry. With her prior experience of being an editor, she aims to do interviews and reviews here in NJ. While writing is her first love, there exists a second which is crime thrillers. Taking her love forward, Parvathi became a published author with her book 'The Rathores'. Apart from this, she is always reading a crime thriller in her free time or just simply singing in between serious meetings that cheer the spirits of those around her. On a day she wants to relax, you will see her watching Demon Slayer, Brooklyn-99, or her all-time favorite, Runaway Bride.

https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/Parvathi-Ajith.png

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&#039;Monster&#039; at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives

https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-monster-at-jio-mami-two-thousand-twenty-three-hirokazu-kore-eda-gives-a-masterclass-on-the-power-of-perspectives/

‘Monster’ at Jio MAMI 2023: Hirokazu Kore-eda Gives a Masterclass on the Power of Perspectives

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