monster

hirokazu koreeda · 2023 · movie

recommended for: james

why they might enjoy it:
monster (2023) has everything james seems to value: empathy, humanity, visual beauty, and personal storytelling that requires attentiveness.

the film shows how easily people are misjudged, and how fear, gossip, and social pressure can turn ordinary human confusion into something monstrous. its theme of empathy and universal humanity would likely resonate with james.

he also seems to appreciate cinematography, and monster is visually exquisite: quiet, naturalistic, and full of small gestures that carry enormous emotional weight. ryuichi sakamoto’s music deepens that emotional intimacy even further.

this feels like a film james could genuinely love.

content note: bullying, family conflict, mental health struggles, self-harm themes