Watch Kids' Reviews of
OUR MONSTERS

Our Monsters is a powerful short film that goes far deeper than it appears on the surface. The plot follows two young boys, Daniel (Azriel Dalman) and Peter (Xander Wilson), who team up to defeat the "monster" in Daniel's closet, equipping themselves with homemade armor and walkie-talkies. When they finally open the door, the monster simply looks like a pile of laundry. However, it later becomes clear that this entity represents the very real monsters of domestic abuse that Daniel faces at home.

The clever symbolism of the closet monster provides a profound theme that will deeply resonate with anyone who has been affected by physical or emotional child abuse. The film's pacing is excellent, taking place in a quiet suburban neighborhood where the boys live in adjacent houses and comfort each other through their facing bedroom windows.

The technical elements are well-executed. Powerful close-ups of the children's faces provide immediate insight into their heavy emotions, while the suspenseful background music perfectly drives the action. Both of the young lead actors deliver exceptionally strong, emotionally mature performances. Their depth helps clarify the narrative's underlying metaphor and makes the story feel incredibly raw and resonant.

The director truly stands out here, taking a simple surface-level concept and transforming it into a complex, meaningful allegory. The film's message is that close friends who support each other through even the most unimaginably difficult times are incredibly valuable.

I give Our Monsters 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18.

By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST!

Our Monsters is a powerful short film that goes far deeper than it appears on the surface. The plot follows two young boys, Daniel (Azriel Dalman) and Peter (Xander Wilson), who team up to defeat the "monster" in Daniel's closet, equipping themselves with homemade armor and walkie-talkies. When they finally open the door, the monster simply looks like a pile of laundry. However, it later becomes clear that this entity represents the very real monsters of domestic abuse that Daniel faces at home.

The clever symbolism of the closet monster provides a profound theme that will deeply resonate with anyone who has been affected by physical or emotional child abuse. The film's pacing is excellent, taking place in a quiet suburban neighborhood where the boys live in adjacent houses and comfort each other through their facing bedroom windows.

The technical elements are well-executed. Powerful close-ups of the children's faces provide immediate insight into their heavy emotions, while the suspenseful background music perfectly drives the action. Both of the young lead actors deliver exceptionally strong, emotionally mature performances. Their depth helps clarify the narrative's underlying metaphor and makes the story feel incredibly raw and resonant.

The director truly stands out here, taking a simple surface-level concept and transforming it into a complex, meaningful allegory. The film's message is that close friends who support each other through even the most unimaginably difficult times are incredibly valuable.

I give Our Monsters 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18.

By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST!

Our Monsters is a short film produced as part of the Crazy8s 2024 mentorship program, remarkably completed in just eight days. The story follows two young friends, Daniel and Peter, who gear up with homemade armor and walkie-talkies to confront the "monster" in Daniel's closet. What begins as a disappointing pile of laundry quickly transforms through the power of imagination into an epic battle. With Peter's encouragement, Daniel faces his fears in a charming celebration of childhood bravery and creativity. From Canada; dialogue in English.