A Monster Calls

Year

2016

Duration

108 minutes

Genres

Drama, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Language

English (English subtitles)

What is an Into Film Club?

Synopsis

Conor O’Malley lives with his mum in a house by the cemetery, where they are watched over by an ancient yew tree. Conor has been suffering recurrent nightmares, tied up with his fear of losing his mother who is suffering from cancer, and as a result Conor is tired, angry and withdrawn. Bullied at school and trying to be strong for his mum at home, Conor is worn out from trying to keep it together, and afraid of what the passing of time will bring. When one night the yew tree from the cemetery speaks to him, he isn’t sure whether his mind is playing tricks, or if he has finally found someone he can talk to without having to put up a brave front.

Director/s

J.A. Bayona

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Also available with this film on Into Film+

5 RESOURCES

Find the resources related to A Monster Calls (2016) to use in your teaching

What is an Into Film Club?

Classification

Moderate threat, scenes of emotional distress.

Find out more on the BBFC website

This film is part of the following themes

Mental Wellbeing
SEND / ASN / ALN

Also available with this film on Into Film+

5 RESOURCES

Find the resources related to A Monster Calls (2016) to use in your teaching

Resources To Use With This Film

A Monster Calls: Film Guide

World Cancer Day, 4 Feb

A film guide that looks at A Monster Calls (2016), exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion.

Suitable for 11–14

1 ppt

View resource

A film guide for SEND students that looks at A Monster Calls (2016) thumbna

A Monster Calls: Film Guide (SEND)

A short PowerPoint of activities for SEND students focusing on A Monster Calls (2016)

Suitable for 11–14

1 ppt

View resource

Related Films

Pete's Dragon(2016)

Stream on Into Film+

A live-action remake of the 1977 children’s classic which sees a boy living in a North American forest with his only friend: a big green dragon.

238 Reviews

Certificate

7–14 years 103 mins

Grave Of The Fireflies(1988)

Possibly the greatest war film ever made, this anime is the deeply moving tale of a boy and his sister fighting to survive in World War II Japan.

260 Reviews

Certificate

11+ years 89 mins

Kubo and the Two Strings(2016)

A young boy named Kubo must find his samurai father’s magical suit of armour in order to overcome the unforgiving spirits of the past.

278 Reviews

Certificate

7–16 years 102 mins

Bridge To Terabithia(2007)

Stream on Into Film+

Charming family fantasy film following the adventures of two ten-year-old misfits, based on the popular novel.

3,252 Reviews

Certificate

7–14 years 93 mins

Rate this film

Club Leaders can rate films! Help other club leaders decide if this film is suitable for use in their film club by giving it a rating.

Rate this film

Your rating

Click a star to rate this film

Ratings guide

Worked brilliantly
Went down well
Had some value
Did not enjoy it
Would not use again

Member rating

107 Reviews

Members rating breakdown

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

View all reviews

Leader rating

4 leader ratings

Leaders rating breakdown

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Start an Into Film Club or Log in to rate this film

Sort reviews by

Viewing 0 of 0 Reviews found.

Into Film Clubs

Into Film Clubs provide opportunities to watch, review and make films.

Start an Into Film Club

Do I Need a Licence?

Information on which licences you need to show films in your education setting.

Find out more

How do Into Film Clubs work?

Find out more about what's involved in running your very own Into Film Club.

Find out more

Training

Learn to use film to raise literacy attainment and engage students.

'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' leads this week's new releases

05 Jun 2018 in Into Film Awards

Biographical documentary 'McQueen' and indie romantic comedy 'The Boy Downstairs' are also new in cinemas, while 'Journey's End' leads this week's DVD releases.

Reading time 3 mins

View Article

Best of 2017: Our Favourite Films of the Year

18 Dec 2017 BY Michael Prescott in Film Features

After another superb year for cinema, we run you through the highlights of 2017 before our curators reveal their personal favourites of the year.

Reading time 8 mins

View Article

Explore Mental and Emotional Wellbeing with Into Film+

20 Sep 2023 in Into Film+

The Into Film+ streaming service can help you to explore the many varied - and sometimes difficult - topics around mental wellbeing for World Mental Health Day.

Reading time 11 mins

View Article

My Life as a Courgette: broaching difficult topics in accessible ways

05 Jun 2017 BY Joe Ursell in Film Features

With the Oscar®-nominated 'My Life as a Courgette' in cinemas now, we look at how animation can be used to help broach difficult subjects with young people.

Reading time 4 mins

View Article

Step: navigating real life issues with film and dance

11 Aug 2017 BY Joe Ursell in Film Features

We take a look at new dance-focused drama Step and the way it - and other films about creativity - can help people through challenging real life situations.

Reading time 7 mins

View Article

Mental Wellbeing

Explore how film can be a wonderful tool for developing emotional understanding and mental wellbeing.

Films 47

Resources 45

View theme

SEND / ASN / ALN

Film can be an effective tool for helping those with SEND to better understand, not only curriculum-linked topics, but also the wider world around them.

Films 24

Resources 15

View theme

Emotional Wellbeing

A list of films on Into Film+ and Into Film+ Premium that explore how people overcome challenging times to achieve emotional wellbeing.

Suitable forAll ages

No. of films15

View film list

Fairy Tales

National Storytelling Week, 30 Jan - 6 Feb

A selection of films which explore the many worlds of fairy tales, from early interpretations to modern-day innovations.

Suitable forAll ages

No. of films30

View film list

Viewing 0 of 0 related items.

A Monster Calls

Film Details

Year

Duration

Genres

Language

Synopsis

Director/s

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Also available with this film on Into Film+

5 RESOURCES

Additional details

Classification

Engaging for ages

This film is part of the following themes

Also available with this film on Into Film+

5 RESOURCES

Resources To Use With This Film

A Monster Calls: Film Guide

World Cancer Day, 4 Feb

A Monster Calls: Film Guide (SEND)

Related Films

Pete's Dragon(2016)

Pete's Dragon(2016)

Grave Of The Fireflies(1988)

Grave Of The Fireflies(1988)

Kubo and the Two Strings(2016)

Kubo and the Two Strings(2016)

Bridge To Terabithia(2007)

Bridge To Terabithia(2007)

Rate this film

Your rating

Member rating

Leader rating

Reviews (105)

Into Film Clubs

Do I Need a Licence?

How do Into Film Clubs work?

Training

You may also be interested in...

'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' leads this week's new releases

Best of 2017: Our Favourite Films of the Year

Explore Mental and Emotional Wellbeing with Into Film+

My Life as a Courgette: broaching difficult topics in accessible ways

Step: navigating real life issues with film and dance

Mental Wellbeing

SEND / ASN / ALN

Emotional Wellbeing

Fairy Tales

National Storytelling Week, 30 Jan - 6 Feb

What our educators say