Monolith Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgraced podcaster finds mysterious black bricks that make people cough up secrets and duplicate themselves, which is definitely less glamorous than fighting aliens.

🍿 Monolith: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Journalist’s Second Chance

Disgraced journalist Lily (known as ‘The Interviewer’) attempts to salvage her career by launching a podcast called ‘Beyond Believable,’ focusing on strange and unexplained phenomena. Living in isolation in her parents’ modern home, she sifts through emails and voicemails, seeking a compelling story to regain public trust and attention.

Discovering the Black Bricks

An anonymous email mentioning ‘Bricks’ and hinting that ‘the truth will come out’ catches Lily’s attention. Following the lead, she contacts a woman named Floramae, who tells a strange story about a mysterious black brick that appeared after a traumatic event involving her daughter and Lily’s family decades ago. Floramae describes the brick as powerful and black.

Connecting the Stories

Lily’s investigation leads her to Klaus Lang, a German art collector who possesses multiple similar black bricks. Lang shares that the bricks contain intricate, unknown symbols and seem to communicate with their owners, often appearing after a personal tragedy. As her podcast gains traction, more people contact Lily, reporting similar experiences with the black bricks, including strange visions and physical symptoms.

Mapping the Phenomena

Lily begins mapping the locations where the bricks have reportedly appeared, noting a pattern. Callers describe unsettling effects, including loss of appetite and disturbing dreams. One caller expresses concern that the phenomenon is like a ‘disease,’ tracing the bricks’ effects through generations in his family, linked to unresolved personal histories and secrets.

A Personal Connection Emerges

Through her research, Lily discovers an old article linking similar symptoms to government research. She also receives a package containing a video from her childhood birthday, revealing that she herself received a black brick as a gift. This personal connection intensifies her investigation and begins to manifest in physical symptoms and growing paranoia.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• The Interviewer (Lily Sullivan): The disgraced journalist who hosts a podcast investigating the mysterious black bricks, uncovering secrets tied to her own past.
• Jarad (Damon Herriman): One of the initial podcast callers whose family history with a black brick helps launch the Interviewer’s investigation.
• Floramae King (Ling Cooper Tang): A former employee of the Interviewer’s family who received one of the black bricks after a traumatic event.
• Klaus Lang (Terence Crawford): A German art collector who possesses multiple black bricks and provides the Interviewer with information and scans related to them.
• Paula King (Ansuya Nathan): Floramae’s daughter, whose past accusation reveals a key family secret linked to the origin of the first black brick.
• Dad (Erik Thomson): The Interviewer’s father who shares his perspective on the past incident involving Floramae and Paula, revealing the family’s complicity.
• The Interviewer Duplicate (Lily Sullivan): A mysterious doppelganger of the Interviewer that emerges from a black brick, representing a physical manifestation of the film’s core conflict.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Interviewer: “So, tell me about the object. This… black brick.” – Said as she begins her interview with a subject about the strange object, setting up the central mystery of the podcast and film.
• The Interviewer: “Everyone I talk to… they say it changed things. But how?” – Reflecting on the confusing and vague accounts she’s receiving from people who claim to possess the object.
• Jarad(voice): “It’s not just a thing. It… remembers.” – A mysterious caller provides a cryptic and unsettling description of the object’s nature.
• The Interviewer: “I just need to understand what’s really happening.” – Expressing her driving motivation as she delves deeper into the bizarre phenomenon, fueled by professional ambition and perhaps personal demons.
• The Interviewer: “Is this some kind of shared delusion? Or is it real?” – Questioning the nature of the experiences reported by her interviewees, grappling with the possibility of mass hysteria versus a genuine paranormal event.

💰Box Office

• Budget: A$640,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $12,480

💥 Monolith Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Monolith is definitely not your typical sci-fi thriller. It’s got this really cool, almost unsettling vibe from the start, mostly thanks to Lily Sullivan being the only person you see on screen. I mean, she has to carry the whole thing just talking on the phone, and she totally nails it. The mystery of the black bricks is super intriguing at first. Like, what are these things? Are they alien? Are they causing people to go crazy or just revealing hidden stuff? It keeps you hooked wanting to know more, and I loved following her down the rabbit hole. That scene where *that* happens with the brick is wild and totally unexpected. It really cranks up the weirdness and the stakes. The ending is… well, it’s ambiguous, which some people might not love, but I actually appreciate that it made me think about it long after it was over. It feels more like a psychological journey than a clear-cut answers kind of movie. Give it a shot if you’re into atmospheric, character-driven mysteries!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slow-burn mysteries”
  • “Those interested in single-location or limited-cast films”
  • “Podcast listeners or fans of investigative journalism stories”
  • “Audiences open to ambiguous or metaphorical endings”
  • “Fans of indie sci-fi films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Psychological tension and paranoia”
  • “Themes of trauma and guilt”
  • “Some disturbing sequences/visions”
  • “Isolated setting may be unsettling for some viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Based on User Reviews: “Monolith is an impressive low-budget thriller, leveraging a single location and a stellar performance by Lily Sullivan. While the narrative surrounding the black bricks is intriguing, delving into themes of trauma and secrets, some viewers may find the pacing slow and the abstract ending less satisfying than a traditional sci-fi resolution. It’s a film that demands attention and rewards those who appreciate atmospheric tension and psychological depth over action or clear answers.
• Based on User Reviews: “This Australian sci-fi mystery excels in creating a palpable sense of dread with minimal resources. Lily Sullivan carries the film with captivating intensity as she unravels the puzzle of the black bricks through phone calls. The film builds a unique atmosphere, feeling like a high-quality radio play brought to life. Its strengths lie in the compelling premise and strong lead, though some critics felt the focus on metaphor overshadowed the potential sci-fi elements.
• Based on User Reviews: “While Monolith’s concept of a journalist investigating a mysterious object via podcast in a single location is promising, the execution can be divisive. The slow burn approach tests patience, and the abstract ending, intended to explore themes of trauma and guilt, left some viewers feeling unsatisfied and confused. Despite striking visuals and a committed lead performance, the film’s thematic focus feels underdeveloped, preventing it from fully delivering on its intriguing setup.

Audience Reactions

Lily Sullivan’s solo performance captivatingly holds the screen.: Many appreciated the unique concept of a one-location, one-actor film and the strong performance of the lead actress. The atmospheric tension and slow-burn mystery were highlights for viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers.

The mystery of the black bricks and their effects is highly intriguing.: The core premise involving mysterious black bricks and the unfolding conspiracy kept many viewers engaged. The film’s use of voice actors to build the world beyond the single location was also noted as effective.

The ending sparks debate and encourages interpretation.: The ambiguous or thematic ending was a major talking point, with some finding it thought-provoking and fitting, while others felt it was unsatisfying, confusing, or a departure from the initial sci-fi setup.

Overall Consensus: A compelling, low-budget Australian thriller powered by a strong lead performance and an atmospheric mystery, though its divisive ending and slow pace may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was largely shot during the COVID-19 pandemic with a minimal crew and predominantly features a single actor in one location, reflecting its low-budget, independent production.”
• “Director Matt Vesely and writer Lucy Campbell developed the project through the South Australian Film Corporation’s FilmLab initiative, which supports low-budget feature films.”
• “Lily Sullivan’s character, The Interviewer, is the only character physically seen on screen for the majority of the film; all other interactions are voice-only phone calls, adding to the isolated atmosphere.”
• “The distinct sound design plays a crucial role, emphasizing the auditory nature of the podcast format and building suspense around the unseen elements of the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Monolith?

As of its UK release date (February 26, 2024), ‘Monolith’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check services like Prime Video (which mentions a $3.99 rental in user reviews), Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for availability and pricing in your region. It is currently not widely available on subscription streaming services, making rental or purchase the primary viewing option.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Monolith, you might like these similar films:

• The Vast of Night (2019): Features a focused, dialogue-heavy mystery driven by audio transmissions (radio calls instead of a podcast), centered on a strange, potentially alien phenomenon in a specific location.
• Vivarium (2019): A contained, unsettling sci-fi thriller where characters are trapped and trying to understand a bizarre, reality-bending phenomenon involving strange objects/situations.
• Pontypool (2008): A cult classic horror/thriller primarily taking place in a single location (a radio station) with the horror unfolding through audio reports and dialogue, similar to Monolith’s reliance on audio and confined setting.
• Arrival (2016): Explores humanity’s attempt to understand mysterious alien objects and their profound, reality-altering effects, focusing on the perspective of an expert trying to decipher the unknown.
• Dual (2022): An indie sci-fi film from the same era with a distinct, slightly surreal tone, often featuring a single character navigating a strange new reality or consequence of technology/phenomena.

🛒 Monolith Related Products

• Monolith (2022) Blu-ray: Own the atmospheric Australian sci-fi thriller on high-definition Blu-ray, perfect for re-watching and catching subtle details.
• Monolith Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Experience Benjamin Speed’s haunting and atmospheric score that masterfully builds tension throughout the film.
• Investigative Journalism & Podcasting Guidebook: Learn the ins and outs of investigative reporting and creating compelling podcasts, inspired by the film’s central premise.
• Abstract Black Brick Art Piece: A unique, abstract sculpture or desk ornament inspired by the mysterious object at the heart of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Beyond Believable Theme” – performed by Benjamin Speed
• “Monolith Begins” – performed by Benjamin Speed
• “Lang’s Story” – performed by Benjamin Speed
• “Finding the Brick” – performed by Benjamin Speed

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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