Love and Monsters

Love and Monsters is a 2020 post-apocalyptic romantic comedy film directed by Michael Matthews and written by Brian Duffield and Matthew Robinson. Set in a world ravaged by the Monsterpocalypse, a catastrophic event that brought about the transformation of many species of animals into terrifying monsters. We meet Joel Dawson, a resilient and resourceful young man living in an underground bunker built by his mother, Amalia. Seven years have passed since the disaster struck, and despite his initial fear and loss, Joel has adapted to his new environment. He spends most of his days tending to a hydroponic garden and listening to the radio, where he has been secretly keeping in touch with his high school girlfriend, Aimee Silks. Aimee's safety is Joel's primary concern, as he is based in a different location, about two hundred and twenty miles away. Over the radio, they share news, jokes, and personal stories, rekindling the flame of their high school romance. Despite the odds against them, Joel becomes determined to reach Aimee and reunite with her. However, the outside world is a treacherous place, teeming with monstrous creatures that roam freely, wreaking havoc on any survivors foolish enough to venture out. Joel's mission is far from impossible, though, as he has developed an efficient survival system, based on his knowledge of robotics and combat tactics. Joel chooses to traverse the Monsterpocalyptic terrain through a 'Zoneminder', essentially a vast network of underground tunnels and elevated walkways that facilitate travel between safe havens. With the help of the Zoneminder, Joel embarks on an unpredictable journey, navigating through abandoned cities, industrial waste grounds, and even navigating massive creatures that sometimes divert the course for a while or potentially destroy many smaller landmarks along his route. His experiences on the surface eventually teach Joel to confront his fears head-on. He tackles the monstrous world and its perils, using his creativity, resourcefulness, and wit to outsmart and outmaneuver various creatures. Apart from perilous creatures, Joel must also contend with natural catastrophes and his internal struggles, bringing him even closer to overcoming the emotional scars left by his mother's death after an incident involving an accident involving the D-Bot (a sophisticated and dangerous mutant resembling a rhino) which caused the loss that pains him seven years later. Ultimately, Joel's journey raises deeper questions about human nature. In a world ravaged by chaos and destruction, what sustains him alongside his determination to reach Aimee? What fundamental drive does he rely upon to survive in the face of such existential danger? His journey slowly and poignantly reveals that love, in its various forms, remains a core survival mechanism in the most desperate of worlds. On his way to Aimee, Joel's narrative blends humor and poignancy, reminding us that resilience and hope can be just as perilous and unpredictable as the most monstrous of creatures that surround him. Love and Monsters stands out from other post-apocalyptic films due to the way it addresses complex questions of mortality, existential crises, love, humanity, and survival in a particularly unique setting.