A Monster Calls Parents Guide
A Monster Calls is a 2016 fantasy drama film directed by J.A. Bayona and based on Patrick Ness’ novel of the same name. It stars Liam Nesson, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, and Toby Kebbell. It follows a young boy named Conor who, while coping with his mother’s terminal illness, begins to have vivid dreams and encounters with a giant, mysterious monster that helps him face his fears and find strength.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents should be aware that A Monster Calls deals with mature themes, including health issues and death, which may be difficult for some children to process. The film also contains some scenes of peril and intense emotions. With this in mind, A Monster Calls has been rated PG-13.
Questions to Discuss with Teens
Below are a few questions that parents and teens can discuss after watching the movie:
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- How does Conor’s relationship with his grandmother, the Monster, and his subconscious reveal his motivations?
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- How do emotions and fear affect the decisions we make?
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- How does the story of the Japanese fairytale, “The Crab and the Monkey”, reveal a message about friendship, loyalty, and bravery?
Positive Takeaways
The story of A Monster Calls is told in a heartfelt and emotionally complex manner, and serves as an important reminder that life is messy and things don’t always turn out the way we expect them to. It also provides insight into the power of courage and recovering from loss. Ultimately, it is a story of hope, resilience and growth.