Your Monster made its streaming debut on Max on Jan. 24, and it didn't take long for viewers to flock to it. As of Jan. 27, it's already climbed to the No. 4 spot on Max's top 10 movie list, and it doesn't look like it's about to be removed anytime soon. Are we surprised by this? Not at all! It's a really good movie, and the two main leads deliver standout performances. If you haven't already watched it, now's the perfect time to check it out. It's definitely worth the stream!
Your Monster is a horror romantic-comedy from Caroline Lindy. Adapted from her short film of the same name, the movie follows an actress named Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera) who finds her life completely disrupted when she discovers her cancer diagnosis. To make matters worse, her boyfriend of five years suddenly breaks up with her. Left to recover by herself, she retreats to her childhood home, where she discovers a creature (Tommy Dewey) living in her closet. Though their first encounter is far from friendly, they eventually find common ground and develop an unlikely bond.
You'll probably be surprised to learn that this film was actually inspired by Caroline Lindy’s own real-life experiences and challenges. In an interview with the Sundance Institute, Lindy shared how Your Monster came to be, and the true story behind it isn't too different from the one portrayed on screen.
At 23 years old, Lindy faced one of the toughest periods of her life. She had been diagnosed with a serious illness, which not only challenged her physically but also emotionally. Within the same week of being diagnosed, her longtime boyfriend also unexpectedly dumped her, leaving her feeling abandoned and overwhelmed. While recovering from a major surgical procedure (right hemicolectomy), she found herself slipping even further into a depressive state.
But that sadness eventually turned into anger. She couldn't believe that her boyfriend had walked away during such a vulnerable time. Her frustration grew so intense that, at one point, her thoughts even wandered to the extreme idea of hiring a hitman to take him out. Or, she thought that maybe she could do it herself. Obviously, she didn't let her anger get the best of her. Instead, she channeled that rage into something more productive: a movie. According to Lindy, she describes Your Monster as a "a weird allegory" for the complex relationship she had with her own inner rage.
In Your Monster, Barrera's Laura character is so angry about her boyfriend breaking up with her and her acting career being in a weird place. This intense frustration manifests itself in the real world as a charming monster who has been residing in her closet for a long time but has finally emerged. Basically, the Monster symbolizes Laura's repressed anger and emotional turmoil that has built up over time and has now broken free into the real world.
I'm pretty sure many people could relate to this film, as it explores the way unresolved emotions can take on a life of their own. Although I've already watched Your Monster, I'll be rewatching it soon. It's just that good!