10 monster movies where the creature isn’t the point of the film

Monster movies are a classic feature of these Horror genre and have deep roots in cinema because of the universal nature of the stories. however, The creatures in the movies are not what they seem to be on the outside, As they often serve as a metaphor for the overarching themes and criticisms of the plot focuses. This becomes especially clear when the monsters featured in the film are not seen on screen for long periods, as the narrative is more concerned with the development of the characters and their dynamics.

The universal classic monster movies helped establish the genre as a place for humanity’s fears and anxieties to be explored safely. since then, Monsters have taken many forms in cinema, and how they manifest visually will determine how the characters and audience interpret them. Whether they are huge creatures, grotesque, or can pass as humans, they all serve as methods for the filmmakers to communicate the main discussions of the story. Many monster projects end up being character-driven, because the people in the story must band together to stop the beasts.

10

The Boss (2006)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho

Although Bong Joon-ho’s most famous movie, parasiteIs about the metaphorical monsters in humanity, some of his best early work revolves around very real creatures. In his 2006 film, The boss, A young girl is taken by a monster that emerges from the Han River in Seoul, And her family must work to get her back by entering the quarantined zone the creature has taken over. Widely regarded as one of the best monster movies of the 21st century, The boss Does much more than frighten the audience.

Although the mutated organism in The boss is terrible The larger themes of The boss Revolving around the impacts of environmental devastation and offer a scathing critique of government practices that perpetuate ecological discrimination. It is the lower class that is most impacted by the creature in The bossAnd the intervention of foreign governments, namely the US. The boss is a nuanced project that uses the monster as a stand-in for the results of colonialism and globalization.

9

Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

One of the best monster movies of the 1970s and all time, Jaws did a lot for the creature genre and was instrumental in establishing the summer blockbuster. The director, Steven Spielberg, is behind many iconic creatures, from the giant great white shark in Jaws To the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. However, the time that the shark is in mind is over Jaws is relatively low, and It is only quite late in the movie that the audience first gets a clear view of the maneater.

Part of this was due to the constraints surrounding the development of the animatronics and the idea that the tension would be better built if the viewer was left to speculate about what the shark looked like. However, this is also because The central conflict of the film revolves around the difficulties of Chief Brody who go against the body of the social regulations of the city. The parallels between Jaws and classic works of literature vi Moby Dick are undeniable, and this sheds light on the additional facet of Jaws‘ story that touches on humanity’s fear of nature.

8

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Directed by George A. Romero

It is not an accident Night of the Living Dead Came out at the end of the 1960s. It’s been a decade since rising domestic tensions in the US. it. On racial and gender inequality, mass protests against US All of this created the social and political context that resulted Night of the Living Dead, A movie that delves into the realities of the fear of others.

Night of the Living Dead is one of the most influential zombie movies of all time, because the way the undead are portrayed in this film is the de facto characterization of zombies in most horror projects. However, the zombies are just the ideal monsters that could incite paranoia and mistrust in the humans trying to fight their way out of the apocalyptic situation. As the characters turn on each other throughout the film, The uncomfortable ending drives home the point that terror will spark extreme reactions in humanity.

7

Godzilla (2014)

Directed by Gareth Edwards

There have been many adaptations of the stories of GodzillaAnd The 2014 remake successfully brought the story to the modern era, Incorporating contemporary topics and discussions. Godzilla was the first film in the Monsterverse Franchise, which has taken off in popularity since its inception. Although it is set in the present day, Godzilla is still intertwined with the legacy of the nuclear age and the destruction of atomic weapons. As always, the monster Godzilla is a metaphor for how humanity creates its own monsters through technology.

However, as time progressed, Godzilla also came to represent hope for the future, as the monster stands with humanity against invading creatures throughout the franchise. This movie features some of the coolest monster designs in Godzilla Movies, which is a vital part of why these movies are popular. generally, Godzilla is considered a more worthy successor than the 1998 failure, As it focused deeply on the human drama and the current impact of the way war is waged in modern times.

6

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Directed by Philip Kaufman

Despite being a remake of the original 1956 film, The 1978 Invasion of the body snatchers is considered the definitive version Thanks to his incredible performances and relevant themes. With Donald Sutherland as Matthew, the film’s protagonist, the story follows him and his allies. Throughout the story, they realize emotional alien replicants are replacing the human race. It’s a terrible assumption that holds up well today, considering the fact that the monsters look just like people.

The experience of watching loved ones become unrecognizable and the paranoia of believing that no one around you is who they say they are sets the tone for Invasion of the body snatchers. Since the film was released in the wake of the Watergate scandal in the US, it. They were replaced by the pod people in Invasion of the body snatchers is characterized as a failure of the political and social systems of the US And the growing push for conformity.

5

The Flight (1986)

Directed by David Cronenberg

As with most of director David Cronenberg’s films, There is no shortage of grotesque body horror in The flight. However, the slow transformation of Seth (Jeff Goldblum) into the titular fly is also the physical manifestation of the deterioration of his relationship with Ronnie (Geena Davis). Although Cronenberg said the film is not a direct allegory for the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, it is easy to associate the film with the devastation of the disease. The performances of Goldblum and Davis highlight the humanity at the heart of The flight.

Although there are many terrible elements in it The flightAnd the final physicality of the creature is disgusting, the movie is more of a tragedy than a horror film. Watching Seth lose his humanity and be ravaged by an entity he cannot control is devastating, As is the inevitable loss of his connection with Ronnie and any future he may have had. At the end of the film, Seth has turned into a monster, but in his final moments, The flight Communicates that there is a piece of him left inside the flying creature.

4

Cloverfield (2008)

Directed by Matt Reeves

One of the best found footage movies in the genre, Cloverfield Examples of how best to incorporate monsters into modern horror films. The project lends itself to a character-driven narrative as the story unfolds from the perspective of the people filming the Clover Monster’s invasion. Acting-packed and well-paced, The most compelling parts of Cloverfield are the characters’ journeys to save the people they love. The fact that the world is destroyed by a monster is ancillary to the character’s experiences of the events.

in New York City, Cloverfield Captures the destruction of iconic landmarks and the crumbling of social order. This has led many critics and audiences to draw parallels between the descent of the monster and the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The creature remains a distant and all-encompassing threat that serves as the vehicle for the characters to bond together. . And remember the important parts of life in the wake of extreme upset.

3

no (2022)

Directed by Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele’s latest directorial project, Nois an innovative take on the concept of the alien invasion. The film is in conversation with the exploitation of animals in filmmaking and the way Hollywood has other performers based on race, gender and other socially discriminatory factors. Spectacles are one of the biggest themes in the movie, As well as the motivating factors that drive people to grab glasses and use them as a means of capitalist gain. However, in NoMany of these characters make the mistake of thinking they can tame or control behavior.

however, No It is also deeply critical of the role of the viewer and the demand for entertainment that fuels the psychological nature of exploitation and abuse. Jean Jackett, the alien, may be a large-scale creature, but ultimately follows the same rules and has the same boundaries as the regular animals in the story. Of course, the characters are also vital for No. The sibling relationship between OJ and Emerald, played by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, is the emotional heart of the story And is elevated by the fantastic chemistry between Kaluuya and Palmer.

2

Colossal (2016)

Directed by Nacho Vigalondo

Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis star Colossal, A monster movie that unpacks the devastation caused by a lifelong abusive relationship. Gloria (Hathaway) struggles with alcoholism and returns to her hometown to discover that she controls a reptilian monster in Seoul. However, her friend Oscar (Sudeikis), who enables her addiction and manipulates her to succumb to it and stay with him, manifests as a giant robot and threatens to destroy Seoul to control Gloria’s actions.

The metaphor of the two monsters existing because of the childhood rivalry and enmity between the two friends is clear throughout the story, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Colossal is a unique blend of genres, but the fantasy and sci-fi elements all exist to further Gloria’s development and open her eyes to Oscar’s behavior. By the end of the film, Gloria has taken control of her life and her actions, Shoulders the responsibility for her own internal monsters.

1

It Goes (2014)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

Maika Monroe recently starred in the horror film Long legsBut her earlier foray into the genre features one of the actress’ best performances. It helps that It goes is considered one of the most innovative scary movies of the 2010s. The monster in It goes Is terrifying, and one of the key features of the creature is that No matter how far along the monster has passed, it can always come back to previous victims.

The motif of the monster continuously after its victims is a clear metaphor for sexually transmitted infections. Fear of teen sexuality is a recurring theme in Horror Movies, and It goes Capitalizes on this anxiety, as well as the trauma that can accompany the loss of innocence from youth to adulthood. in It goes, The characters grapple with the moral implications of saving themselves versus condemning others to a terrible fate.