"Another striking piece of work from a master, a movie that’s so carefully calibrated that you get lost in these characters, forgetting they're performers and not people caught up in a genuinely traumatic chapter of life." - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

"Keeps its secrets until its final moments, leaving us with the feeling that we have earned its trust and are worthy of the precious, beautiful truths that lie at its heart." - Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, AWFJ.org

Film Center favorite Hirokazu Koreeda’s (BROKER, SHOPLIFTERS) MONSTER is a RASHOMON-esque mosaic of storytelling, with the master auteur weaving together three converging and diverging perspectives around a shared experience. When the reserved young Minato begins behaving strangely, his mother Saori suspects that his teacher Mr. Hori is to blame, but is met with silence and denials. To uncover the truth, MONSTER evolves through the eyes of Saori, Mr. Hori and finally, Minato. Koreeda again demonstrates his keen and compassionate talent for depicting the interiorities of children and the complexities of families in this tender and profound drama. Scored by the late, legendary composer Ryuichi SakamotoFilm Center exclusive.


Join the Chicago International Film Festival and Nick Davis, Northwestern Professor and film critic, for a free discussion on Saturday, December 9, 11:00 a.m. Creating a MONSTER: Uneasy Artistry from a Master Director 


Awards & Nominations

Winner - Queer Palm, Cannes Film Festival
Nominee - Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival
Winner - Gold Q-Hugo, Chicago International Film Festival
Winner - Audience Award, Vancouver International Film Festival


The Sounds of Ryuichi Sakamoto SeriesWhen acclaimed Japanese composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away earlier this year, audiences–and the film industry–lost a legend. The pioneering Academy Award winner was praised for his inventive, idiosyncratic style and his avant-guard sensibilities, Sakamoto’s scores are introspective, sweeping, and have influenced contemporary musicians the world over. View full series


The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu