Kill the Bad Guy: Your Monster Review

Cinema has taught us to decipher right from wrong in all facets of life; from a student and their bully to a superhero and their arch nemesis. In all of these stories one thing reigns true, it’s okay to kill the bad guy. Last week I had the pleasure of watching Your Monster directed by Caroline Lindy streaming on Max, and it left me with so many thoughts that I’m here now writing about it. Your Monster is a horror/ romance starring Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey that follows a timid actress battling cancer who finds her voice again when she meets an oddly charming monster that lives in her closet. I’d go far enough to call this film a dark comedy due to its absurdity and theatrics, there’s certainly romance and horror but the film itself felt very self aware and comical. In a story about finding your voice and standing up for yourself against a hyper realistic villain, is it okay to kill the bad guy? Today we are going to be reviewing the 2024 film along with asking these questions of morality, typical Martini Monday matters. So grab a drink and get comfortable because this could get lengthy, cin cin let’s begin!

After returning home from surgery, single and sad, Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera) finds herself with an unexpected roommate- a Monster from her childhood she locked away in the depths of her closet and mind. Monster (Tommy Dewey) and Laura’s relationship has a rocky start, but over the duration of the film they grow to like and even love one another. Monster helps Laura to find her voice and stand up to her ex-boyfriend Jacob (Edmund Donovan), a playwright and director who wrote a musical based on her life who cast blond budding star Jackie Dennon (Meghan Fahy) to play the role. The film has the perfect setting for a whimsical, supernatural creature with a backdrop of an eclectic New York apartment. The costume design heightens the sheepish nature of Laura, lots of thick sweaters and dated dresses. Laura’s sense of style reveals her to be someone who cares more about her feelings than her outfit, hiding behind these layers to provide her comfort. We don’t see her fully come out of her shell until the Halloween party where she is hidden behind a beautiful Bride of Frankenstein costume, later to be accompanied by Monster. Her dressing as the bride symbolizes her love and acceptance of Monster slowly coming to the forefront for her, dancing with him at the party like they’re the only two people in the world. It is clear that Laura needs the help of others to help herself and we see that through the slow burn that is her relationship with Monster. All the while she is rehearsing to be the understudy of the role written about her, from every angle of this film Laura is losing to an imagined version of herself. As her and Monster grow closer, her ability to speak up for herself grows too- though it get’s her in quite a bit of trouble with Jacob. In the end Laura comes out on top with a new respect for herself and bass to her voice. Not only does she go on in place of Jackie Dennon for the musical, she kills it- and Jacob! With the unneeded help of Monster, Laura finally defends herself against her bully, her best friend, and the entire audience on opening night of the show. After months of mind games and manipulation from her ex boyfriend and best friend Mazie (Kayla Foster), Laura kills the bad guy- in the cinema world she sure was justified, but in reality is it okay to kill your own bad guy? Metaphorically of course.

The use of supernatural characters as personification for women’s darkness, desires, and rage has existed for centuries to amplify the suppression of women and their feelings. In stories such as Nosferatu, where Count Orlock and Ellen share a connection through dark desire and sexuality. Where in Lisa Frankenstein Lisa and The Creature connect over loneliness and feeling ostracized from society- in suburbia. In Your Monster, Laura and Monster connect over their history. Monster has been a part of Laura’s life for as long as she is willing to remember, however she has always shut him out or locked him away, afraid to see what happens when she allows him to coexist with her. These supernatural creatures like ‘Monster’ or ‘The Creature’ don’t have names because they are extensions of the female character’s psyche. Monster represents Laura’s “dark side” that so many women are forced to suppress in order to appear pleasant as we’ve been conditioned to do. This film explores coming to terms with your inner demons and unleashing them on the world, and in similarity to Lisa Frankenstein it results in the death of a lame, lying, loser guy. In this genre of cinema, we applaud the women who stand their ground and seek revenge on their enemies. In Jennifer’s Body we cheer for Jennifer as she physically devours boys to replenish energy and then we cheer for her best friend Needy when she kills Jennifer. We welcome retaliation in action films where superheroes demolish an entire city to stop one bad guy; we love to see girls get even with one another in school halls or sorority houses; we root for the underdog finally sticking it to the man; we want to kill the bad guy, and yet in reality we are punished for the same things we congratulate on screen. Of course there is the blatant fact that murder is both illegal and in many instances wrong, but when is it not? When is it okay to kill that bad guy, as we’ve been told to do since watching Disney movies in diapers?

I am not suggesting that you take care of business with your enemies in the form of crime, however I am questioning the double-standard of self-defense. According to the NCSL, “The common law principle of “castle doctrine” says that individuals have the right to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their home. This principle has been codified and expanded by state legislatures.” In at least 28 states and Puerto Rico, if someone attacks you in a place where you are legally allowed to be (like your home, car, or a public area), you don’t have to try to escape before defending yourself. You have the right to stand your ground and use force, including deadly force if necessary, to protect yourself. Unlike New York State which follows a duty to retreat rule, meaning that if you are threatened, you must try to escape or avoid using force if it is safe to do so—except in your own home. However, under New York's self-defense law (Penal Law § 35.15): You can use reasonable force to defend yourself or others from an attacker, Deadly force is only allowed if you reasonably believe you are facing deadly force and you cannot retreat safely, There is no duty to retreat in your own home (the "Castle Doctrine"). So, unlike "Stand Your Ground" states, in most public places in New York, you are expected to try to get away before using deadly force. So one could argue that Laura was justified in murdering Jacob because she was in danger and there really isn’t an accessible exit in the confined backstage space of the theater. But really, what about protecting yourself from a longterm abuser? Do you have to sit and wait for them to hurt you again to fight back? Laura suffered months of trauma at the hands of her carless boyfriend who has been proven to have a temper and to the audience her reaction feels justified. Though the laws of the land don’t always apply in cinema, which is why it’s usually okay to just kill the bad guy. That said, in reality it's not so black and white, as we have seen from two cases that happened in 2024: Daniel Penny and Luigi Manginoe. Seeing how the media has responded to both these men’s actions, it's evident that it’s not always okay to kill the bad guy.

The act of resistance is rebellion, for women to resist the societal and gender stereotypes placed on them is rebellion. It’s clear that Laura has spent the majority of her life in the background looking for her moment to breakout and shine, and it's unfortunate that it took her so long but she got there! Battling cancer, having a really shitty best friend, and an even shittier boyfriend who writes plays is reason enough to reach one’s breaking point. What this film, Your Monster, does so well is blur the lines between reality and Laura’s imagination through the character Monster. Allowing us to watch as she and this figment of her imagination work together to dig deep and find her real voice- a loud, unapologetic, vulgar one. All women have it, but we aren’t welcomed to use it as freely or often as men. All women have a monster inside of them waiting to lunge out and attack but we suffer consequences harder than the men causing us to react. Women in cinema are praised for killing the bad guy, women in reality are questioned about what they were wearing. Women in cinema can stand up for themselves and receive a standing ovation, where women in reality are still fighting for basic human rights and equality and autonomy over their bodies. So if I am correct, women in cinema have the possibility for more rights and freedoms that we do ourselves- which is why I think this is such a great dark comedy. The romantic aspect of this film comes from Laura falling in love with herself, in every aspect, including her dark side. I encourage all women to find their monster and fall in love with them too, mine’s probably a CW-vampire-archetype. I can’t recommend this film enough for its social commentary, niche production and costume design, and fabulous musical sequence (Sam Levinson could take some notes for that Euphoria episode with Lexi’s play), but most of all it’s capacity to question, when is it okay to kill the bad guy. This film explores that question in very loose terms with the shocking ending of this film, and yet most of the commentary I have seen is just about how fun the movie is- which is absolutely true! Melissa Barrera is an undeniable star, her performance is so layered and captivating, as is her knack for comedic timing. The chemistry between her and Tommy Dewey was charged and tasteful. Overall I rated this film 4.5 stars on Letterboxd and I highly suggest you see it for yourself and ask if she was justified in killing the bad guy.

Movies are a reflection of society, whether they implore you to suspend belief or not. It’s no surprise that there has been a rise in stories with a female-lead who fights back, and regardless if they’re fighting an ex boyfriend, a supernatural creature, or a patriarchal government, they will continue to fight, resist, and rebel. All of us women have a monster, like I said before, dig deep and find yours. Who knows you might even fall in love with them! Kill your bad guys in the same way you kill your darlings. Movies don’t just entertain, they empower, holding up a mirror for the battles we fight in real life. These stories of defiance remind us that strength comes in many forms, and sometimes, embracing our own darkness is the key to survival. So, nurture your inner monster, sharpen your claws, and step into your own narrative with fearless resolve. After all, the best heroines aren’t just written—they are made, one fight at a time. Till next time, stay flirty, stay thirsty, and most of all stay feisty my friends. Cin Cin!

See you soon,

Paige B and her Monster 💋