Melissa Barrera’s latest project,Your Monster, has earned a solid score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film premiered in the Midnight section at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in January.Your Monstertells the story of Laura Franco,played by Barrera, a soft-spoken actor dealing with an array of emotions after being dumped by her boyfriend while recovering from surgery. While retreating to her childhood home, Laura encounters a monster (Tommy Dewey) that will help her reconnect with her inner rage and inspire her to embrace her dreams and emotions in unexpected ways.
At the time of this writing,Your Monsterholds a 79% ratingonRotten Tomatoes, marking a strong reception from critics just a day before its theatrical release on October 25. The film received generally positive reviews, praising Barrera and Dewey’s performances and chemistry. The score could fluctuate over the course of opening weekend as additional reviews are added.
What The Critics Score Means For Your Monster
It’s A Unique Blend Of Horror And Anti-Romance
Critics have praisedYour Monsterfor subverting the usual tropes of horror and romance, commending director Caroline Lindy’s creative risks.Some reviewers highlight the distinct tone, which strikes a balance between an eerie atmosphere and an emotional narrative.The Wrap’s Chase Hutchinson says,“Caroline Lindy proves to be a filmmaker with the skill to get into the guts of the genre itself, to tear free its bloody, still-beating heart,“whilePop Culture Planet’s Kristen Maldonado praises Barrera’s performance and pitch-perfect voice.
Your Monster Review: Melissa Barrera & Tommy Dewey Are A Perfect Pair In Dazzling Horror Rom-Com
This genre-defying rom-com is a fantastical experience that reminds us of the magic of movies.
The anti-romance premise is cited as one ofYour Monster’s main merits, adding a fresh layer to the monster genre. However, a few critics have mentioned thatits unique plot may not appeal to all viewers.Bloody Disgusting’s Megan Navarro points out that while the director demonstrates a stronger touch with the light-hearted aspects,“the darker elements tend to falter.“This echoes reviews from other critics who have praised Barrera’s performance, yet find faults with Lindy’s deliverance, saying the genre-spanning film fails to get a grip on all of its genres.
Our Take On Your Monster’s Critical Reception
Anti-Romance Is At The Forefront
Despite negative reviews,Your Monstercounts as Fresh with a 79% Tomatometer score, whichpoints to the success of this anti-romantic monster movie and the evolving nature of horror, where storytelling is increasingly focusing on deeper psychological and emotional themes. Like other recent films that defy convention, such asMidsommarandThe Babadook,Your Monsterblends genres in order to explore more complex topics.
The early, and mostly positive, reception of the film suggests that Lindy’s directorial debut will resonate with the public, making it a standout entry in both the horror and romance genres. With Barrera continuing to explore ambitious roles,this film could become another defining part, making her one of the most recognizable faces in horror right now, following her success in Scream and its sequel,Abigail, andBed Rest.Your Monsterreleases only in theaterson October 25, and if the buzz holds, this genre-bending monster movie may inspire a wave of similar films in the near future.
Your Monster
Cast
Laura Franco is a soft-spoken actress whose life unravels, only to find an unexpected ally in a mesmerizing monster residing in her closet. As she rebuilds her confidence, Laura’s relationship with the creature forms the heart of this narrative.
