Love and Monsters Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

After the apocalypse turns all the animals into mega-monsters, a total disaster of a dude leaves the safety of his underground bunker to get with his high school girlfriend, and ends up learning that maybe, just maybe, love isn’t about the destination, but about the giant centipedes you meet along the way.

🍿 Love and Monsters: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Monsterpocalypse and Underground Life

Seven years after an asteroid was destroyed by chemical missiles, the resulting fallout mutated cold-blooded animals into giant monsters, wiping out most of humanity. Survivors like Joel Dawson live in underground bunkers called ‘colonies.’ Joel is separated from his girlfriend Aimee during the initial chaos and longs to be reunited.

Joel’s Journey to Find Aimee

After reconnecting with Aimee over the radio, Joel decides to leave his comfortable, but unfulfilling, underground life to find her. He embarks on a dangerous 85-mile journey across the monster-infested landscape. Everyone believes he will die.

Encounters and Lessons

Along his journey, Joel is saved by a dog named ‘Boy’ who becomes his loyal companion. He also meets Clyde and Minnow, experienced survivors who teach him valuable survival skills, including how to distinguish between hostile and non-hostile monsters. These encounters help Joel grow and gain confidence.

Reunion and Disillusionment

Joel finally reaches Aimee’s colony, only to find that she has changed and is mourning someone. He feels embarrassed and realizes he never asked Aimee if she even wanted him to find her. He decides to return to his own colony, a more experienced and confident survivor.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joel (Dylan O’Brien): A lovably hapless survivor who leaves his underground bunker to reunite with his high school sweetheart in a monster-infested world.
• Aimee (Jessica Henwick): Joel’s high school sweetheart who leads a coastal colony of survivors and has become a strong and independent leader.
• Clyde (Michael Rooker): A skilled and grizzled monster hunter who teaches Joel essential survival skills.
• Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt): A young, resourceful orphan who accompanies Clyde and demonstrates impressive survival skills.
• Cap (Dan Ewing): A seemingly helpful leader of a beach colony who is revealed to be a treacherous and opportunistic villain.
• Boy (Hero and Dodge): A loyal and intelligent dog who becomes Joel’s companion and helps him navigate the dangerous world.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joel: “I’m alive because of the generosity of a few strangers, and the kindness of a great dog.” – Joel says this over the radio, reflecting on his journey and expressing gratitude for the help he received.
• Joel: “The surface is a dangerous place. But I don’t think hiding underground is the answer anymore. There’s a great big, beautiful, inspiring world out there.” – Joel shares his newfound optimism and encourages others to embrace life beyond the bunkers.
• Joel: “Good instincts are earned by making mistakes. If you’re lucky enough to survive a few mistakes, you’re gonna do all right out here.” – Joel reflects the lessons he’s learned, highlighting the importance of experience in survival.
• Clyde: “You can always tell in their eyes.” – Clyde teaches Joel how to distinguish between hostile and non-hostile monsters.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,070,714
• Worldwide Gross: $1,070,714

💥 Love and Monsters Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored this movie! It was such a fun and refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic genre. I laughed, I teared up (a little!), and I was genuinely on the edge of my seat during some of the monster encounters. Dylan O’Brien was fantastic, and that dog stole every scene he was in! I particularly loved the scenes with Michael Rooker and Ariana Greenblatt; they added so much heart to the film. Definitely a must-watch for anyone looking for a feel-good adventure.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Zombieland”
  • “Adventure movie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who enjoy post-apocalyptic stories with a hopeful tone”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Teenagers and young adults”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Monster violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some scary scenes”
  • “Brief peril”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A surprisingly delightful and funny action-adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this movie delivers on its monster mayhem and heartwarming moments, making it a great escape for the whole family.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “With stellar performances from Dylan O’Brien and a scene-stealing canine co-star, ‘Love and Monsters’ is a charming post-apocalyptic romp that balances humor, heart, and creature-feature thrills.
• Metacritic: “Although the plot isn’t groundbreaking, ‘Love and Monsters’ is a very pleasant surprise, a well-crafted adventure with impressive visuals and a positive message about facing your fears.

Audience Reactions

The dog ‘Boy’ stole the show with its incredible performance.: Viewers universally praised the movie for its heartwarming story and fun monster designs.

The movie has great special effects, and it’s a very fun adventure to watch.: Audiences found the movie to be a surprisingly good mix of action, comedy, and heartwarming moments.

Overall Consensus: A surprisingly heartwarming and entertaining post-apocalyptic adventure with great special effects and a charming cast, perfect for family viewing.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Science Fiction or Horror Movie)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The dogs that portrayed ‘Boy’ were two Australian Kelpies named Hero and Dodge.”
• “The film was originally titled ‘Monster Problems’.”
• “Filming took place in Mount Cotton, Queensland, Australia.”

🖥️ How to Watch Love and Monsters?

Love and Monsters is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms such as Paramount+, Prime Video (rental or purchase), Apple TV (rental or purchase), Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Love and Monsters, you might like these similar films:

• Zombieland (2009): Both films feature a quirky, character-driven adventure in a monster-filled post-apocalyptic world with comedic elements.
• A Boy and His Dog (1975): Similar theme of a young man and his telepathic dog surviving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
• Warm Bodies (2013): A romantic comedy set in a world overrun by monsters, focusing on the evolving relationship between human and monster.
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014): Features humans battling against a monster invasion with a unique sci-fi twist.

🛒 Love and Monsters Related Products

• Love and Monsters (Blu-ray): Own the adventure on Blu-ray with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and a collector’s booklet. The clarity and detail of the visuals are stunning and make the monster effects even better!
• Love and Monsters: The Official Movie Novelization: Delve deeper into the world of ‘Love and Monsters’ with the official novelization. Explore expanded scenes, character backstories, and more details about the monster-infested world.
• Love and Monsters ‘Boy’ Plush Toy: Cuddle up with your very own ‘Boy’ plush toy, the loyal canine companion from the movie. Made with high-quality materials, this adorable plush is perfect for fans of all ages.
• Love and Monsters – Inspired Monster Sketchbook: This sketch book is the perfect gift for any aspiring artist. Features a themed, screen-printed cover!

🎧 Soundtrack

Love and Monsters features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)” – performed by Roy Orbison
• “Stand by Me” – performed by Ben E. King

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Shh… Whatever You Do, Don’t Make a Sound | Love and Monsters | Netflix

Get ready for a heart-pounding moment from “Love and Monsters”! Watch as Joel desperately tries to stay silent to avoid a monstrous worm. This clip will leave you on the edge of your seat!

✨ Rate