Well Go USA
Playing at select theatres and on VOD
Although the Aussie made movie titled Monolith is slightly misleading, I’m sure what it’s named was intentional. This science fiction thriller about alienation has enough elements in play to suggest the building of such an edifice, but in truth what’s being assembled is revealed one brick at a time. Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) plays an unnamed journalist who’s fallen from grace. Either she didn’t give credit where it’s due, or she falsified some info just for notoriety, the damage is done.
Now, she’s trying to rebuild; she’s the voice behind the “Beyond Believable” podcast. It explores all the crazy things that go on in life that nobody wants to accept. The pressure to come up with a good story is tough, and instead of exploring the paranormal, it’s more about conspiracies. After getting a mysterious email which barely identifies why “The Brick” is dangerous and a phone number, she’s curious enough to take the bait.
What she discovers is an agenda that seems weird. Anyone who has received this piece of masonry gets to know their future. Some become well off, and others are cursed. Those stories are varied, and they carry the film more than just watching her listen to them tell their tale. I’m reminded of that pirate’s adage, “Dead men tell no tales.” And when all I see is Sullivan reacting to these conversations, and recording them for her next podcast, she better present the facts right. Ultimately, it’s those people she’s interviewed who are doing all the heavy lifting. Ling Cooper Tang and Terence Crawford lend their voices in this piece, and I found myself more engaged with the latter as there’s a haunting tone to his story.
Lucy Campbell’s script has a lot to like, and I really don’t want to spoil what this movie is about. The twist is one to go aha on, and it comes though unexpectedly. And thematically, Monolith can be summed up by saying it’s thematically similar to what the story in Pink Floyd’s song, “Another Brick in the Wall,” alludes to.
Matt Vesely‘s task as a director may seem simple, since all he has to do is give Sullivan some ideas on what to emote, but I’m sure even those voices we hear needed that guidance too. However, what the character does can’t go unnoticed when she’s seen editing and moving words around. It seems this podcaster hasn’t learned her lessons, and it’ll come back to haunt her.
As for whether she’ll get “replaced,” and someone else takes over her job, I’m guessing nobody will care or pay attention. After all, like all social media influencers, fame is only fleeting. It’s tough to maintain the momentum and some people will eventually burn out or sell out, like this character. Just what this unknown reporter gets as a reward for her hard work, well…. that would be revealing too much.
4 Stars out of 5
Monolith Movie Trailer
Discover more from Otaku no Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
