About Monsters (2010)

"Monsters" is an independently produced British science fiction film released in 2010. It is set in an alternate reality in which a NASA probe brings samples of alien life back to Earth, where they grow into large, octopus-like creatures inhabiting a huge area between the United States and Mexico, known as the "Infected Zone". Our protagonists, an American photojournalist and the daughter of his employer, must make a dangerous journey through this zone to reach the US border.

Making / Production

The film was directed and written by Gareth Edwards. Produced on a minimal budget, the film impressively features giant creatures and other digital effects all created by Edwards himself. The film was shot guerrilla-style in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Texas, with most of the extras being locals from these locations.

Actors

• Scoot McNairy as Andrew Kaulder: An American photojournalist, Scoot delivers a nuanced performance that aptly captures his character's cynicism and humanity.
• Whitney Able as Samantha Wynden: Sporting a sensitive portrayal of the young and affluent woman, Whitney encapsulates the transformation her character experiences through the journey.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was completed on a budget of $500,000, which is incredibly small for a movie with such extensive use of special effects.
• The Extras in the film were non-actors and inhabitants of the areas where the film was shot. The dialogues were partially improvised as well.
• The creatures were inspired by octopods and designed using computer software by director Gareth Edwards.

Quotes

• "It's different looking at America from the outside, from the inside."
• "I don't want to survive. I want to live."
• "God, this would be such an amazing shot."

Music, Soundtrack

• The tense and atmospheric score was composed by Jon Hopkins. Notable tracks include "Monsters Theme", "Attack", and "Evacuation".
• The ending track "Sleepwalking" is a reworked version of a track from the Cinematic Orchestra.