Monsters is extraordinary in both its design and its actors’ passion and energy. I can’t think of much else like it.
The people there genuinely love being in this house, and I definitely see that in their actions while scaring. So much attention to detail went into the little things, like the hand-drawn diagrams of the Creature in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab that are tucked all the way back in the corner where they generally go unnoticed. The casting is very deliberate and specific as well, as they’ve already thought about the fact that the Mummy is frail because of the nature of him being a preserved corpse, so they won’t accept just anyone to play him; noticeably tall and thin is a requirement.
The scares go in places that no one else’s do this year more than once, with both the Wolfman and Quasimodo on harnesses to pull off amazing stunts. Even the scares that don’t require height are used impressively and in context, with three different Phantoms appearing around the basement of the opera house to simulate the book Phantom’s ability to navigate around the depths without being seen and appearing as a ghost, while the mirrors really throw you off. The costumes are pulled off so well, and the redesigns are actually unique and fun (did you know that the designs for the masks were inspired by the artwork seen on the outside of the building, not the other way around?). The soundtrack slaps. That’s it. It just does.
Most of all, it’s genuinely scary! There’s nothing light in tone about this house, and nothing cheesy that lightens the mood a bit. They’re aggressive and it shows.
Anyway, y’all, I’m a little obsessed with Monsters.