A Monster Calls

Spanish director J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) brings to life this heartbreaking and magical tale based on Patrick Ness' acclaimed novel about a young boy struggling with the imminent death of his terminally ill mother.

Life has dealth Conor (Lewis MacDougall, a revelation) some devastating blows: his mother (Felicity Jones) has cancer, his father (Toby Kebbell) isn't a part of his life, his grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) offers no consolation, and he is bullied at school. He has nowhere to turn and is wracked with feelings of loss, guilt and anger, until he receives a nightime visit from an enormous, tree-shaped monster (voiced by Liam Neeson) who arrives to tell him stories about human nature and the consequences of our actions. But on the fourth night, Conor must face his truth and tell his own story: is he up to the task?

A Monster Calls brings a shattering emotional power, combining superbly pitched drama with exquisite watercolour animation (it's no surprise it was made by the creative team who also worked on Pan's Labyrinth). A genuine thing of wonder and beauty, this is a fantastical tale of real life tragedies and truths that will stay with you for a very long time.

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