Movie Reviews

‘There Is a Monster’ review: Checks off all boxes but falls short

Uses a tried and true premise.

January 30, 2024

The premise for indie horror film There Is a Monster is one of the most tried and true in the genre. Jack (Joey Collins, Law & Order) is a photographer who keeps seeing a monster. Of course, no one else can see it and those closest to him begin to wonder if he is losing his mind. But if it does not exist, what is causing the very real damage to his body?

Basing the story on his sister’s struggles with a horrible disease, Mike Taylor’s work is a true labor of love. This comes through in many scenes as There Is a Monster has the type of emotion not often found in this type of horror movie. Unfortunately, it is unable to bring all of its ideas together.

Despite its straightforward nature, There Is a Monster tries to tell a nuanced story that never quite materializes. As the trailer shows, there is a lot going on here. Along with a struggling career and troubled marriage, Jack also has to deal with the unwelcome advances of a co-worker. If it were all a part of the bigger picture, it may make for a stronger story. While all point to a difficult life, they are also treated as separate entities.

The pacing will also make this a difficult watch for some. Things move at a very careful pace until the act. There Is a Monster spends much of the time building tension between Jack and wife and friends. It works to an extent, but there are many scenes that add little to the overall story.

Ultimately, There Is a Monster tries to do more than is necessary. A revelation at the end tries to make sense of everything, but it feels too contrived. As a whole, the movie is never actively bad, but it ends up taking itself too seriously. This makes sense considering its inspiration, but it also takes away from what is otherwise a run of the mill thriller.