“A Monster Calls” (2016) is a dark yet deeply emotional fantasy drama that tells the story of a young boy named Conor O’Malley, who struggles to cope with the painful realities of life while finding solace in an unlikely friend. Conor lives with his mother, who is gravely ill with cancer, and the weight of her sickness leaves him isolated and vulnerable. At school, he is bullied by classmates, and at home, he faces the looming fear of losing the person he loves most. His grandmother, though caring, is strict and distant, leaving Conor with no real escape from his grief.

One night, at exactly 12:07, Conor is visited by a giant yew tree that transforms into a monster with a booming voice and an intimidating presence. Instead of scaring him, the monster promises to tell Conor three true stories in exchange for Conor sharing his own truth at the end. The monster’s arrival seems terrifying at first, but it becomes a guiding force in Conor’s emotional journey, helping him confront the pain he hides deep within.

The monster’s first story is about a prince and a queen, revealing how appearances can deceive and how good and evil are not always easy to define. The second story tells of a parson and an apothecary, showing the consequences of hypocrisy and broken promises. The third story is about an invisible man, symbolizing Conor’s own sense of invisibility in a world that does not understand his pain. Each tale confuses and frustrates Conor at first, as they rarely have happy endings, but they slowly help him uncover the truth about his feelings of anger, fear, and guilt.

As his mother’s condition worsens, Conor grows more desperate, and his relationship with his grandmother becomes more strained. The monster, however, continues to push him toward acceptance, insisting that Conor tell his truth. Conor finally admits the secret he has buried within himself: that a part of him wants his mother’s suffering to end, even though it means losing her forever. This confession fills him with guilt, but the monster comforts him by explaining that such feelings are human and do not make him a bad son.

In the film’s heartbreaking climax, Conor stays by his mother’s side as she prepares to pass away. The monster assures him that he has faced his truth and that this acceptance will give him the strength to let her go. In his final moments with her, Conor clings to her hand, no longer running from his fear but embracing it with love and honesty.

“A Monster Calls” is a powerful exploration of grief, guilt, and healing, blending fantasy with raw human emotion. It teaches that stories can help us cope with pain, and that facing the truth, no matter how difficult, is the only way to move forward. With its stunning visuals and heartfelt performances, the film leaves a lasting impression about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss.