Saori Mugino notices her son Minato is acting strangely. When she’s told Minato is getting bullied by a teacher, she reports it to the school principal. When the school does little to address the situation, Saori grows frustrated. However, there’s a more complicated story here than Saori is privy to - with the full picture revealed as the film revisits the same events from two more perspectives…

Following films made in France and Korea, Hirokazu Koreeda (Shoplifters) returns to Japan for this compassionate exploration of childhood turmoil. Monster’s more heart-wrenching scenes are offset by tender, lovingly-realised moments of kindness and hope. The film also features the poignant final score from the esteemed composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.