Monolith is this reviewer’s favorite type of sci-fi film. A low-budget clever science fiction story that uses the conventions of the genre to tell a story about the human condition. The debut feature from director Matt Vesely shows the promise of a new talented storyteller.
A disgraced Journalist (Lily Sullivan) has started a new job on an unsolved mysteries podcast. After having nothing to investigate the Journalist is given an intriguing email. That email sends her down a rabbit hole that is not just tied to something extraterrestrial but a deep-rooted incident in her past. As the disparate threads begin to coalesce the Journalist is finding the realities of both her past and the extraterrestrial events and finds a truth she may not be willing to accept.
The trio of creatives behind Monolith director Matt Vesely, writer Lucy Campbell, and producer Bettina Hamilton – have successfully created a film that may be low on budget but rich in ideas and style. By limiting the number of characters that appear on screen (just Sullivan) and the location (the character’s parents’ home) they are able to exert a certain amount of control. That control aids Monolith in its lean and economical storytelling of a complex story that merges both current social issues with the kind of moral quandary that The Twilight Zone was the standard bearer for.
However, to reveal Monolith’s endgame would be to ruin a well-built and constructed story that is more relevant than one can imagine. It can be said that after viewing Monolith one will instantly want to rewatch to see how it was built so cleverly and will eagerly await what Vesely, Campbell, and Hamilton have in store for their next respective projects.
The Transfer
The transfer by Well Go USA is a stunner. The digitally shot film looks flawless on Blu-Ray. The sharp image is consistent in its color reproduction and contrast levels. It also remains free of any digital issues like ghosting or artifacting. The result is a beautiful transfer that could only be leveled up by a release of a 4K. Bravo to Well Go USA for ensuring that this transfer like the film is uniformly excellent.
The Extras
They include the following;
Exclusive audio commentary by director Matt Vesely, writer Lucy Campbell, and producer Bettina Hamilton of Monolith
Behind the scenes featurette
Theatrical trailer
The audio commentary by the director Matt Vesely, writer Lucy Campbell, and producer Bettina Hamilton of Monolithbegin with the reason why the film is a single location and single actor film. Some of the details include the actual budget; the way they developed ideas/pitches they began with and how it changed over time; a discussion of the opening – and why they executed it this way; how they were able to figure out a shooting style rather quickly and how it worked for the themes and style of the entire piece; Lucy being on set because she was also the Script Supervisor on set; the way they handled the voice actors – unable to record live but how this benefited them in post; the turtle co-star and how they found it, their worries, including a funny anecdote about the Props Master and more; the reasons why they included the turtle in the script – that evolved on set; the score from composer Benjamin Speed; working with Lilly Sullivan – and how they approached the work and collaboration with her and the very outside of the box choices they allowed her to make; the cameos by Vesely and Hamilton; the primary location – and how they found this house; the way that the choice doing audio only allowed for more freedom in post-production; the post-production process and VFX involved; the building the glyphs featured in the film – and how they made sure this wasn’t like anything on screen before; a very iconic shot that Vesely and Hamilton argued over; the construction of the reveal in the last third of the film; a larger discussion of the actors that voice the various supporting roles – some very famous Australian actors; and much more. The trio provides a great track that should definitely be listened to AFTER you have seen the film as the last thirty minutes are filled about the construction and meaning of the film.
Behind the scenes featurette (7:49) – a nice EPK style making-of featurette that’s quite thorough without giving away the secrets of Monolith. One wishes that this was double or triple the length considering how great the film is itself. The discussion of how they were able to design a low-budget film with the help of a grant and much more. Featuring interviews with director Matt Vaesely, producer Bettina Hamilton, star Lilly Sullivan, writer Lucy Campbell, director of photography Michael Tessari, and more.
Theatrical trailer (2:17)
The Final Thought
Monolith is a brilliant piece of thematic sci-fi storytelling harkening back to The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. Well Go USA has given us a Blu-ray filled with thoughtful extras. Highest recommendations.
The clever sci-fi thriller Monolith makes its debut on Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
Monolith is this reviewer’s favorite type of sci-fi film. A low-budget clever science fiction story that uses the conventions of the genre to tell a story about the human condition. The debut feature from director Matt Vesely shows the promise of a new talented storyteller.
A disgraced Journalist (Lily Sullivan) has started a new job on an unsolved mysteries podcast. After having nothing to investigate the Journalist is given an intriguing email. That email sends her down a rabbit hole that is not just tied to something extraterrestrial but a deep-rooted incident in her past. As the disparate threads begin to coalesce the Journalist is finding the realities of both her past and the extraterrestrial events and finds a truth she may not be willing to accept.
The trio of creatives behind Monolith director Matt Vesely, writer Lucy Campbell, and producer Bettina Hamilton – have successfully created a film that may be low on budget but rich in ideas and style. By limiting the number of characters that appear on screen (just Sullivan) and the location (the character’s parents’ home) they are able to exert a certain amount of control. That control aids Monolith in its lean and economical storytelling of a complex story that merges both current social issues with the kind of moral quandary that The Twilight Zone was the standard bearer for.
However, to reveal Monolith’s endgame would be to ruin a well-built and constructed story that is more relevant than one can imagine. It can be said that after viewing Monolith one will instantly want to rewatch to see how it was built so cleverly and will eagerly await what Vesely, Campbell, and Hamilton have in store for their next respective projects.
The Transfer
The transfer by Well Go USA is a stunner. The digitally shot film looks flawless on Blu-Ray. The sharp image is consistent in its color reproduction and contrast levels. It also remains free of any digital issues like ghosting or artifacting. The result is a beautiful transfer that could only be leveled up by a release of a 4K. Bravo to Well Go USA for ensuring that this transfer like the film is uniformly excellent.
The Extras
They include the following;
The audio commentary by the director Matt Vesely, writer Lucy Campbell, and producer Bettina Hamilton of Monolithbegin with the reason why the film is a single location and single actor film. Some of the details include the actual budget; the way they developed ideas/pitches they began with and how it changed over time; a discussion of the opening – and why they executed it this way; how they were able to figure out a shooting style rather quickly and how it worked for the themes and style of the entire piece; Lucy being on set because she was also the Script Supervisor on set; the way they handled the voice actors – unable to record live but how this benefited them in post; the turtle co-star and how they found it, their worries, including a funny anecdote about the Props Master and more; the reasons why they included the turtle in the script – that evolved on set; the score from composer Benjamin Speed; working with Lilly Sullivan – and how they approached the work and collaboration with her and the very outside of the box choices they allowed her to make; the cameos by Vesely and Hamilton; the primary location – and how they found this house; the way that the choice doing audio only allowed for more freedom in post-production; the post-production process and VFX involved; the building the glyphs featured in the film – and how they made sure this wasn’t like anything on screen before; a very iconic shot that Vesely and Hamilton argued over; the construction of the reveal in the last third of the film; a larger discussion of the actors that voice the various supporting roles – some very famous Australian actors; and much more. The trio provides a great track that should definitely be listened to AFTER you have seen the film as the last thirty minutes are filled about the construction and meaning of the film.
Behind the scenes featurette (7:49) – a nice EPK style making-of featurette that’s quite thorough without giving away the secrets of Monolith. One wishes that this was double or triple the length considering how great the film is itself. The discussion of how they were able to design a low-budget film with the help of a grant and much more. Featuring interviews with director Matt Vaesely, producer Bettina Hamilton, star Lilly Sullivan, writer Lucy Campbell, director of photography Michael Tessari, and more.
Theatrical trailer (2:17)
The Final Thought
Monolith is a brilliant piece of thematic sci-fi storytelling harkening back to The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. Well Go USA has given us a Blu-ray filled with thoughtful extras. Highest recommendations.
Well Go USA’s Blu-Ray edition of Monolith is out on April 23rd.
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