The Netflix Sci-Fi Action Thriller That Will Make Everyone Laugh

The journey of Love and Monsters began in 2012 as Monster Problems, a post-apocalyptic road movie with a John Hughes-esque love story.

However, it wasn’t until October 2018 that the project gained momentum, with Dylan O’Brien and Michael Matthews joining the cast and crew.

The remaining ensemble, including Jessica Henwick, Dan Ewing, Michael Rooker, and Ariana Greenblatt, assembled over the next few months, and filming commenced in Australia from March to May 2019.

Originally slated for a wide theatrical release by Paramount Pictures in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced distributors to pivot in their release strategy.

The studio decided to release the film digitally via video on demand, along with select theater screenings on October 16, 2020. Netflix took charge of the international release, bringing Love and Monsters to its streaming platform on April 14, 2021.

The story of Love and Monsters kicks off with the destruction of an asteroid, unleashing fallout that mutates cold-blooded animals into monstrous creatures, leading to the decimation of humanity.

The protagonist, Joel Dawson (Dylan O’Brien), separated from his girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick) during the evacuation of Fairfield, embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with her.

The rest of Love and Monsters’ narrative unfolds seven years later, revealing Joel’s struggles in a bunker while the rest of the survivors find love amid monster-ridden chaos.

Joel, frozen in dangerous situations, sets out with a trusty companion, a dog named Boy, to overcome his fears and find Aimee.

Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including survival experts Clyde (Michael Rooker) and Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt), and a robot named Mav1s.

Love and Monsters is not just a beast-filled adventure but a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Joel’s encounters with various monsters and characters, coupled with stunning visual effects, create a captivating narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

While unorthodox, the film’s release strategy proved successful, with Love and Monsters becoming the number one most rented film on FandangoNow and Apple TV in its debut weekend.

The positive reception continued, and the film grossed $255,000 in its opening weekend in theaters. While that number would have seemed minuscule during conventional times, in the height of the pandemic when everything was shut down, it was about as good as movies were going to get.

The critical response to Love and Monsters was overwhelmingly positive, with a 94 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised Dylan O’Brien’s charming performance and the film’s surprising emotional depth.

The blend of adventure, comedy, and heartwarming moments resonated with audiences, with Variety’s Jessica Kiang called it a “fun if forgettable family-friendly adventure comedy” and Indiewire’s David Ehrlich celebrated it as a “fun, imaginative, genre-mashing adventure.”

Love and Monsters earned its place at the 93rd Academy Awards, receiving a nomination for Best Visual Effects. Although it didn’t secure the Oscar, the nomination was a testament to the team’s dedication to bringing the monster-filled world to life.

Whether you’re a fan of monsters, romance, or simply a good adventure, Love and Monsters offers a delightful escape into a world where love conquers even the most monstrous of obstacles.