Summary
Monster Summerappears to be using one trick from a 1975 thriller classic to hide its monster, amplifying the mystery.Monster Summer’s trailer details the story of Noah (Mason Thames) and his friends who are all set to enjoy a fun summer.However, much like othermodern horror movies, things go awryafter a mysterious entity attacks one member of the group.They now must team up with a retired detective (Mel Gibson) to save their island from destruction and stop the monster from claiming more victims.
Though the trailer makes the film appear to borrow tropes from more modern franchises, such asStranger Things,the moments focusing on the monster itself are left very vague. The monster itself remains a mystery throughout the trailer,suggesting thatMonster Summer’s monster could be one of thesmartest movie monstersin modern horror. That being said,hiding the monster is not a new idea; in fact, it is a method that the 1975 summer blockbusterJawsusedto create the fear the film carries even today.
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Monster Summer Uses The Original Jaws' Scare Tactic
Jaws Hid Its Monster For Most Of The Original Film
Monster Summerappears to be hiding its monster in a similar way to the originalJaws,giving little clue as to what the characters will be dealing with.Jawsredefined summer blockbuster moviesthrough its revolutionary scare tactic: hiding the shark until the last second.While the reasoning behind the method was practical,as the shark, named Bruce, was not operational during filming, it still created a building sense of dreadof the unknown. That mounting sense of dread is somethingMonster Summerappears to be mimicking, as little of the monster is seen in the trailer.
The monster ofMonster Summerdemonstrates its power through the reactions of the characters who see it. Children are glazed-eyed after each encounter and, several times, people are yanked back into darkened rooms.The monster itself, however, goes completely unseen, with only the terror of its victims speaking to its might. Despite this being a staple of the originalJaws, Monster Summertakes these tactics a step further, using coded imagery to confuse audiences about just what the monster truly is.
Monster Summer Hides Its Monster Further Through Varied Imagery
The Varied Imagery Could Hint At Multiple Monsters
Monster Summer’s use of varied movie monster imagery hides the monster further, adding to the film’s dread and mystery factor.Monster Summer’s monster seems to come in a variety of formsand has several methods of inflicting pain upon its victims. This variety would not only increase the premise’s mystery, but could rival evenJaws’sense of mounting terror. One example of this is how the monster appears as a glowing orb and lifts its victims. Both details are reminiscent of older films about aliens, but others point to more folkloric origins for the monster.
The varied use of imagery could either point to the island being haunted by multiple monsters or one with various abilities, giving the characters ofMonster Summersomething to truly be scared of.
The opening section with two teenagers swimming only to be sucked down is reminiscent ofJawsitself, implying the monster may be some sort of sea creature. One shot shows a teen whose hand veins flash, which could be code for some kind of changeling. The vacant eyes and bursts of fear from the children, however, are more suited to monster movies about ghosts. The varied use of imagery could either point to the island being haunted by multiple monsters or one with various abilities, giving the characters ofMonster Summersomething to truly be scared of.
Monster Summer
Cast
Monster Summer follows Noah and his friends as they join forces with a retired police detective to tackle a mysterious force disrupting their summer on the island. Released in 2024, the film chronicles their thrilling adventure, blending elements of mystery and teamwork to safeguard their cherished vacation.
