Wrong in so many ways but with a wicked and often hilarious sense of adult comedy - Lupita Nyong'o is an absolute delight!
227 Reviews
Wicked & Occasionally Hilarious...
Xstal21 April 2020
It was quite good...
paul_haakonsen11 October 2019
Right, well I didn't even know about "Little Monsters" prior to getting a chance to sit down and watch it. And being a huge fan of all things zombie, of course I had to sit down and watch this movie.
Turns out that "Little Monsters" from writer and director Abe Forsythe was actually quite good. It was a nice surprise and was actually a nice addition to the zombie genre, especially because Abe Forsythe managed to incorporate the comedy so well into the storyline, without it tipping over and becoming a downright comedy.
The storyline was good, nicely paced and actually had some good things to it. Sure, it was a zombie story, so you know what you are getting. But the movie does offer odd bits of things that you don't usually see in zombie movies, such as the kid's TV show host, children being a major part of the storyline, people singing during a zombie outbreak, and so on.
As for the zombie make-up, well, I must admit that they did a great job. The zombies looked good, and it wasn't, thankfully, not just people painted gray on the face and forgetting about the neck and hands. No, "Little Monsters" actually had decent zombie make-up and prosthetics, and even had enough gore in it to make it have that special zombiesque feeling to it. It was good.
And the movie had a great cast. Lupita Nyong'o really carried this movie quite well, and she was nicely cast for the role of Miss Caroline. Alexander England, playing cousin Dave, was also quite good. However, I must say that Josh Gad, playing Teddy McGiggle, was actually hilarious in the movie, and his character was just a blast.
If you enjoy zombie movies, and want something that deviates from the usual end-of-the-world-struggling-to-survive formula, then "Little Monsters" is a refreshing addition to the zombie genre.
I am rating "Little Monsters" seven out of ten stars.
Turns out that "Little Monsters" from writer and director Abe Forsythe was actually quite good. It was a nice surprise and was actually a nice addition to the zombie genre, especially because Abe Forsythe managed to incorporate the comedy so well into the storyline, without it tipping over and becoming a downright comedy.
The storyline was good, nicely paced and actually had some good things to it. Sure, it was a zombie story, so you know what you are getting. But the movie does offer odd bits of things that you don't usually see in zombie movies, such as the kid's TV show host, children being a major part of the storyline, people singing during a zombie outbreak, and so on.
As for the zombie make-up, well, I must admit that they did a great job. The zombies looked good, and it wasn't, thankfully, not just people painted gray on the face and forgetting about the neck and hands. No, "Little Monsters" actually had decent zombie make-up and prosthetics, and even had enough gore in it to make it have that special zombiesque feeling to it. It was good.
And the movie had a great cast. Lupita Nyong'o really carried this movie quite well, and she was nicely cast for the role of Miss Caroline. Alexander England, playing cousin Dave, was also quite good. However, I must say that Josh Gad, playing Teddy McGiggle, was actually hilarious in the movie, and his character was just a blast.
If you enjoy zombie movies, and want something that deviates from the usual end-of-the-world-struggling-to-survive formula, then "Little Monsters" is a refreshing addition to the zombie genre.
I am rating "Little Monsters" seven out of ten stars.
It's really good... but also awful
viapetty15 October 2019
By the end of the film you love it and feel good about it but that's only if you survive the first third of it.
The beginning (aside from the opening credits which are very humorous) is painful and crude and plain awful; not in film or acting but content wise. However that does depend on personal taste and humor.
It really comes together in the final act and a solid ending that is happy, tender and sweet which is unheard of with a zombie flick.
It really comes together in the final act and a solid ending that is happy, tender and sweet which is unheard of with a zombie flick.
Life is Zom-Beautiful!
Coventry17 April 2019
I have deliberately been avoiding zombie-comedies over the past few years, because there has been a massive over-offer of those since, say, 15 years and because - let's face it - the vast majority of them of utter rubbish. Initially, I also hadn't planned to see "Little Monsters", but I had to occasion to attend the premiere at the Brussels International Film Festival, and it's always a lot more fun to watch such a type of film alongside a big & enthusiast crowd at a festival. Perhaps I just was in very tolerant mood, but Abe Forsythe's "Little Monsters" is very entertaining and has a surprisingly large number of positive aspects going for it!
The plot is fair but standard: a stereotypical loser in his late twenties, the kind that still hopes he will eventually make it as a rock star, joins his nephew's class on a field trip to the petting zoo to impress the boy's stunningly hot teacher Miss Caroline. During the day, zombies escape from a nearby military research facility and stumble their way to the zoo. Evidently, the selfish rock-musician will have to turn into a genuine hero to safeguard all children from the flesh-hungry living dead!
What I really appreciated about "Little Monsters" is that the comedy is primarily generated through the characters and via situational humor, instead of via cheap slapstick and over-the-top gore like in most "zomedies". The funniest parts of the film are even in the first half hour, when there isn't a zombie in sight yet and the story still centers on Uncle Dave taking care of his 5-year-old nephew and trying to win his girlfriend back. Another very imaginative aspect is that Miss Caroline (multi-talented beauty Lupita Nyong'o) spontaneously decides not to tell children that they are trapped in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Instead, she explains it's a sort of game and part of the excursion, which makes "Little Monsters" sort of the "La Vita È Bella/Life is Beautiful" of zombie movies.
Of course, "Little Monsters" does remain a derivative zombie flick and thus cannot escape the use of several dreadful cliches and idiotic twists. Sure, in a country as enormous as Australia, the military zone where they experiment with zombie viruses has to be located at less than 500 meters of a children's animal park! The zombie outbreak is the most random and unexplained one in history, by the way, but I don't mind that too much. You are also warmly invited to just accept that ravenous zombies are not capable to tear down a simple wooden gift shop, crawl through a gate with massive holes or apprehend the slowest driving tractor in the world. But the biggest and most irritating cliche that Forsythe included, and the only one that actually bothered me, was the character of Teddy McGiggle. We get it now: when in mortal danger, the masks of sympathetic celebrities fall off and they turn out to be loathsome, cowardly and egocentric bastards. Don't worry, though, as they always get what they deserve.
The plot is fair but standard: a stereotypical loser in his late twenties, the kind that still hopes he will eventually make it as a rock star, joins his nephew's class on a field trip to the petting zoo to impress the boy's stunningly hot teacher Miss Caroline. During the day, zombies escape from a nearby military research facility and stumble their way to the zoo. Evidently, the selfish rock-musician will have to turn into a genuine hero to safeguard all children from the flesh-hungry living dead!
What I really appreciated about "Little Monsters" is that the comedy is primarily generated through the characters and via situational humor, instead of via cheap slapstick and over-the-top gore like in most "zomedies". The funniest parts of the film are even in the first half hour, when there isn't a zombie in sight yet and the story still centers on Uncle Dave taking care of his 5-year-old nephew and trying to win his girlfriend back. Another very imaginative aspect is that Miss Caroline (multi-talented beauty Lupita Nyong'o) spontaneously decides not to tell children that they are trapped in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Instead, she explains it's a sort of game and part of the excursion, which makes "Little Monsters" sort of the "La Vita È Bella/Life is Beautiful" of zombie movies.
Of course, "Little Monsters" does remain a derivative zombie flick and thus cannot escape the use of several dreadful cliches and idiotic twists. Sure, in a country as enormous as Australia, the military zone where they experiment with zombie viruses has to be located at less than 500 meters of a children's animal park! The zombie outbreak is the most random and unexplained one in history, by the way, but I don't mind that too much. You are also warmly invited to just accept that ravenous zombies are not capable to tear down a simple wooden gift shop, crawl through a gate with massive holes or apprehend the slowest driving tractor in the world. But the biggest and most irritating cliche that Forsythe included, and the only one that actually bothered me, was the character of Teddy McGiggle. We get it now: when in mortal danger, the masks of sympathetic celebrities fall off and they turn out to be loathsome, cowardly and egocentric bastards. Don't worry, though, as they always get what they deserve.
some good fun
SnoopyStyle11 January 2020
In Australia, slacker loser Dave (Alexander England) takes his nephew Felix to school and completely falls for the teacher Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong'o). He joins the school trip to a mini-golf farm hosted by children's entertainer Teddy McGiggle (Josh Gad). A nearby American Army research facility becomes overrun by zombies.
This is a mildly funny comedy horror. The horror is limited by the very young children. The comedy works to some extend. The funniest line comes from a kid saying the zombies look fake. There is good opportunity for comedy. Josh Gad is trying very hard. I'm not sure if Lupita fits the comedy mould. The lead could be funnier. Simon Pegg does it funnier in Shaun of the Dead. He doesn't have a good sidekick. The kid is too young to do the job. Overall, it has some good laughs but there could still be more.
This is a mildly funny comedy horror. The horror is limited by the very young children. The comedy works to some extend. The funniest line comes from a kid saying the zombies look fake. There is good opportunity for comedy. Josh Gad is trying very hard. I'm not sure if Lupita fits the comedy mould. The lead could be funnier. Simon Pegg does it funnier in Shaun of the Dead. He doesn't have a good sidekick. The kid is too young to do the job. Overall, it has some good laughs but there could still be more.
Can't go wrong with a zombie movie. This movie is proof.
subxerogravity9 October 2019
Having nothing to do with the movie Little Monsters made 30 years ago starring Fred Savage and Howie Mandell, this movie tackles the subject of zombies. It's niche: the fact that Lupita Nyong'o plays a school teacher projecting a class of five year olds from a zombie outbreak in the land down under. She has a little help form an Australian actor who I don't know who plays the uncle of one of the kids. Josh Gad also has a role as a loveable children's show host who a jerk in real life, and of course it comes out in full form as the zombies break out. It's a unique niche as rarely do you see children so young in a zombie flick.
I find it hard to mess up a zombie movie. I'm sure I seen someone do it but I don't remember. You can't go wrong with having an Oscar winner as the lead in your zombie pic either. Never had Lupita look so beautiful than to watch her get covered in blood while battling the undead. There is nothing I disliked about this flick it was great!
Generally agreeable
Leofwine_draca26 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
LITTLE MONSTERS is a generally agreeable comedy horror flick in which a group of schoolchildren find themselves caught up in the middle of a zombie outbreak during a daytrip. It's up to their teacher to save them, alongside some unwilling allies. Yeah, I groaned too when I saw zombies were the subject matter once more, but this is a fresh-feeling production with a fast-moving story and some great zombie makeup which would have worked well in a scarier production. The main problem with it is the crude script, saddled as it is too with Alexander England's obnoxious lead, although Lupita Nyong'o's charm goes a long way in making up for his overwhelming deficiencies.
Consistently funny and very heart-felt, anchored by yet another superb Lupita Nyong'o performance
Bertaut6 November 2019
Kind of like a cross between Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Shaun of the Dead (2004), Little Monsters is a hilarious and unexpectedly moving piece of work. The storyline is unquestionably clichéd - a loser who cares only about himself is forced to protect others, realising he's been a loser and vowing to change his ways (with the help of a good woman, of course). We've seen this narrative template countless times before. But what's extraordinary about writer/director Abe Forsythe's film is how he's able to create likeable characters and elicit genuine emotion from an archetypal structure (the zom-com) that seemed to be in its death throes. Anchored by yet another exceptional performance from Lupita Nyong'o (building on her astonishing, Oscar-worthy work in Us (2019)), Little Monsters is heartfelt, light-hearted, and consistently hilarious, with a very well-modulated comedy/character ratio.
Dave (Alexander England) is a man-child whose life is going nowhere. Unemployed and recently separated from his girlfriend Sara (Nadia Townsend), he moves in with his sister Tess (Kat Stewart) and her son Felix (Diesel La Torraca). Taking Felix to kindergarten one day, Dave meets and becomes infatuated with Felix's teacher, Miss. Caroline (the always radiant Lupita Nyong'o), and when a school trip to Pleasant Valley Farm petting zoo requires an additional chaperone, Dave leaps at the chance. However, an accident at a nearby US army base releases a horde of zombies, and so, trapped in the zoo and determined not to upset the children, Caroline must try to convince them that everything they see is part of an elaborate game.
The thing that struck me most about Little Monsters wasn't the zombies or the comedy, but the emotion. In the hands of a lesser director, the whole film would be utter schlock, but Forsythe never allows the humour to dissipate, constantly tempering the sentimentality. And it does get very sentimental at times, but it's a sentimentality that feels authentic, grounded in something real, and, most importantly, it feels earned, particularly in relation to Dave's arc, which could easily have turned into turgid melodrama. Speaking of emotional authenticity, it's worth noting that, bizarrely, Forsythe was inspired by personal experience - his five-year-old son has a lot of food allergies and had never been out of his care, so when he started in kindergarten, Forsythe was understandably anxious. However, the teacher was able to allay his fears, making him realise just how important kindergarten teachers are. The visit to the petting zoo was also inspired by a real-life visit to the same petting zoo as seen in the film. The zombies came later, and this is an important point, as the zombies are a means to an end, a vehicle for much of the comedy, but with no real importance vis-à-vis what the film is trying to say. And what is it trying to say? That children can confer strength and, with their uniquely innocent perspective, offer a non-judgmental and often exceptionally perceptive view of the world.
From its opening montage (scenes of Dave and Sara arguing in various locations), the film's humour is sarcastic yet reverent, and this tone is maintained for pretty much the entire runtime; it does encourage us, for example, to laugh at how much of a loser Dave is, but it always maintains an element of warmth, never crossing the line into what could be considered cruel disparagement. The comic structure definitely has a vibe of La vita è bella (1997), with Forsythe getting a lot of mileage out of Caroline trying to keep up the illusion that everything is a game - zombies chasing people is a game of tag; the longer the children all survive, the more levels they will complete in the game; the blood all over Caroline after dispatching a group of zombies is jam. Even funnier, at one point one of the kids complains because she thinks the zombies look too fake.
The film also features one of the best sight gags I've ever seen, involving Dave and a photo of Caroline...or is it? This got the biggest laugh at the screening I attended, and really, I don't see how anyone could find it unfunny. There's also a brilliant scene involving Felix and a Darth Vader outfit, which includes him trying to use the Force in a very awkward situation, later telling Tess, "I am your father mummy", a line which made me laugh more than it probably deserved.
In terms of the acting, Nyong'o owns the film - her performance is physical, emotional, peppy, authentic, lived-in, and when the time comes, she's fierce, unflappable, driven, with charisma to burn and a real sense of psychological verisimilitude that renders Caroline a believable, relatable person, complete with emotional interiority and human fallibility. Before filming began, Nyong'o studied the Australian education system, spending time in classrooms, and talking to real kindergarten teachers, and it shows - there's a naturalism to her performance, nothing is forced (she also learned to play the ukulele). Additionally, her comic timing is absolutely spot on, a talent never even hinted at in any of her previous work - one wonders is there any genre she can't do (she's even flawless in the film's few pseudo-action scenes, and her singing voice is pretty damn good too). I honestly just can't say enough about how good she is.
Aside from Nyong'o, the film's other stand-out performance is from Josh Gad as Teddy McGiggle, a famous children's entertainer from the US. Gad plays McGiggle as completely over-the-top and has an absolute ball doing it. Introduced as a kind of hyperactive but generally affable Mr. Rogers, we soon learn he's a hysterical, cowardly, self-obsessed, alcoholic, sex-addicted misogynist, who hates children, and who bitterly despises his comedic companion, a hand puppet named Mr Frogsy. This ridiculously over-the-top list of character failings gives Gad huge room to ham it up, and boy does he lean into the opportunity - whether it be tearfully confessing to Dave that he's addicted to having sex with single-mothers; drinking hand sanitizer for a buzz; screaming at zombies, "I had your mother", before tearing out their throats (with his teeth); or telling the kids that they're all going to die. Gad captures it all perfectly, in a performance that's the inverse of Nyong'o's grounded realism.
If the film has a problem, it's probably the character of Dave. We're asked to like him from the get-go, but his introductory scenes don't make it easy, as he comes across as a self-important and lazy slob, who believes in his own magnificence so much, he's lost sight of everything else. Of course, that's how he's supposed to come across, as it sets up his redemption arc later in the film. Some people, however, will undoubtedly sour to him to the point where that arc seems perfunctory, even cynically fake, which would undermine pretty much the entire second and third act. Personally, I didn't dislike him to the point where I couldn't get on board with his narrative, but I'd understand people who did.
Little Monsters is an absolutely deranged movie, in the best possible sense of the word. Graphically violent and extremely funny, where its greatest merit lies is in its heart - rarely have I seen a film so sentimental that avoids becoming turgid, with Forsythe sidestepping the pitfall of overwhelming everything with jaded syrupy nonsense. Nyong'o grounds the whole thing, Gad chews the scenery magnificently, and Forsythe nails the comedy/zombie balance, with virtually every joke and sight gag landing to one degree or another. The personal nature of the story's origin seeps through at every moment, and it's this sense of grounded emotionality which makes the film so good. The zom-com subgenre is almost completely in the rear-view mirror, but Forsythe has been able to craft an emotionally genuine (and genuinely emotional) film that actually has something to say, and that has fun saying it.
Dave (Alexander England) is a man-child whose life is going nowhere. Unemployed and recently separated from his girlfriend Sara (Nadia Townsend), he moves in with his sister Tess (Kat Stewart) and her son Felix (Diesel La Torraca). Taking Felix to kindergarten one day, Dave meets and becomes infatuated with Felix's teacher, Miss. Caroline (the always radiant Lupita Nyong'o), and when a school trip to Pleasant Valley Farm petting zoo requires an additional chaperone, Dave leaps at the chance. However, an accident at a nearby US army base releases a horde of zombies, and so, trapped in the zoo and determined not to upset the children, Caroline must try to convince them that everything they see is part of an elaborate game.
The thing that struck me most about Little Monsters wasn't the zombies or the comedy, but the emotion. In the hands of a lesser director, the whole film would be utter schlock, but Forsythe never allows the humour to dissipate, constantly tempering the sentimentality. And it does get very sentimental at times, but it's a sentimentality that feels authentic, grounded in something real, and, most importantly, it feels earned, particularly in relation to Dave's arc, which could easily have turned into turgid melodrama. Speaking of emotional authenticity, it's worth noting that, bizarrely, Forsythe was inspired by personal experience - his five-year-old son has a lot of food allergies and had never been out of his care, so when he started in kindergarten, Forsythe was understandably anxious. However, the teacher was able to allay his fears, making him realise just how important kindergarten teachers are. The visit to the petting zoo was also inspired by a real-life visit to the same petting zoo as seen in the film. The zombies came later, and this is an important point, as the zombies are a means to an end, a vehicle for much of the comedy, but with no real importance vis-à-vis what the film is trying to say. And what is it trying to say? That children can confer strength and, with their uniquely innocent perspective, offer a non-judgmental and often exceptionally perceptive view of the world.
From its opening montage (scenes of Dave and Sara arguing in various locations), the film's humour is sarcastic yet reverent, and this tone is maintained for pretty much the entire runtime; it does encourage us, for example, to laugh at how much of a loser Dave is, but it always maintains an element of warmth, never crossing the line into what could be considered cruel disparagement. The comic structure definitely has a vibe of La vita è bella (1997), with Forsythe getting a lot of mileage out of Caroline trying to keep up the illusion that everything is a game - zombies chasing people is a game of tag; the longer the children all survive, the more levels they will complete in the game; the blood all over Caroline after dispatching a group of zombies is jam. Even funnier, at one point one of the kids complains because she thinks the zombies look too fake.
The film also features one of the best sight gags I've ever seen, involving Dave and a photo of Caroline...or is it? This got the biggest laugh at the screening I attended, and really, I don't see how anyone could find it unfunny. There's also a brilliant scene involving Felix and a Darth Vader outfit, which includes him trying to use the Force in a very awkward situation, later telling Tess, "I am your father mummy", a line which made me laugh more than it probably deserved.
In terms of the acting, Nyong'o owns the film - her performance is physical, emotional, peppy, authentic, lived-in, and when the time comes, she's fierce, unflappable, driven, with charisma to burn and a real sense of psychological verisimilitude that renders Caroline a believable, relatable person, complete with emotional interiority and human fallibility. Before filming began, Nyong'o studied the Australian education system, spending time in classrooms, and talking to real kindergarten teachers, and it shows - there's a naturalism to her performance, nothing is forced (she also learned to play the ukulele). Additionally, her comic timing is absolutely spot on, a talent never even hinted at in any of her previous work - one wonders is there any genre she can't do (she's even flawless in the film's few pseudo-action scenes, and her singing voice is pretty damn good too). I honestly just can't say enough about how good she is.
Aside from Nyong'o, the film's other stand-out performance is from Josh Gad as Teddy McGiggle, a famous children's entertainer from the US. Gad plays McGiggle as completely over-the-top and has an absolute ball doing it. Introduced as a kind of hyperactive but generally affable Mr. Rogers, we soon learn he's a hysterical, cowardly, self-obsessed, alcoholic, sex-addicted misogynist, who hates children, and who bitterly despises his comedic companion, a hand puppet named Mr Frogsy. This ridiculously over-the-top list of character failings gives Gad huge room to ham it up, and boy does he lean into the opportunity - whether it be tearfully confessing to Dave that he's addicted to having sex with single-mothers; drinking hand sanitizer for a buzz; screaming at zombies, "I had your mother", before tearing out their throats (with his teeth); or telling the kids that they're all going to die. Gad captures it all perfectly, in a performance that's the inverse of Nyong'o's grounded realism.
If the film has a problem, it's probably the character of Dave. We're asked to like him from the get-go, but his introductory scenes don't make it easy, as he comes across as a self-important and lazy slob, who believes in his own magnificence so much, he's lost sight of everything else. Of course, that's how he's supposed to come across, as it sets up his redemption arc later in the film. Some people, however, will undoubtedly sour to him to the point where that arc seems perfunctory, even cynically fake, which would undermine pretty much the entire second and third act. Personally, I didn't dislike him to the point where I couldn't get on board with his narrative, but I'd understand people who did.
Little Monsters is an absolutely deranged movie, in the best possible sense of the word. Graphically violent and extremely funny, where its greatest merit lies is in its heart - rarely have I seen a film so sentimental that avoids becoming turgid, with Forsythe sidestepping the pitfall of overwhelming everything with jaded syrupy nonsense. Nyong'o grounds the whole thing, Gad chews the scenery magnificently, and Forsythe nails the comedy/zombie balance, with virtually every joke and sight gag landing to one degree or another. The personal nature of the story's origin seeps through at every moment, and it's this sense of grounded emotionality which makes the film so good. The zom-com subgenre is almost completely in the rear-view mirror, but Forsythe has been able to craft an emotionally genuine (and genuinely emotional) film that actually has something to say, and that has fun saying it.
Are they little?
kosmasp9 March 2021
I guess a cynic might read into the title that the children are meant with that - and maybe there is a pun in there. Now what I do like personally and is being utilized perfectly in the script and story, is the fact that the undead are walking slow. Now you know too, if you hadn't before.
This movie got a lot of praise and I reckon most of it has to do with Lupita. It seems impossible not to be smitten one way or another (or any which way) by her. But as mesmerizing as she is and as funny and quite rude (in a good sense for me, a lot of swearing, so don't be easily offended or else, no fun for you) the script and the movie are ... it falls back into certain cliches and is rather predictable.
If you don't mind all that and quite the display of blood and other stuff on your screen, the journey to become a better person via surviving a Zombie attack can be more than entertaining
This movie got a lot of praise and I reckon most of it has to do with Lupita. It seems impossible not to be smitten one way or another (or any which way) by her. But as mesmerizing as she is and as funny and quite rude (in a good sense for me, a lot of swearing, so don't be easily offended or else, no fun for you) the script and the movie are ... it falls back into certain cliches and is rather predictable.
If you don't mind all that and quite the display of blood and other stuff on your screen, the journey to become a better person via surviving a Zombie attack can be more than entertaining
bland story bland dialog
just_in_case12 October 2019
Very average zombie comedy. It was just on cusp of too boring to get through. The jokes dont all fall flat but its enough to be noticable. Lupita carries the film on her back and keeps you engaged. Josh Glad is disappointing, the lead is forgettable. Actually Lupita is the lead despite not showing up until 10 minutes in. The guy youre following sucks. Not spoiling anything except to say if youre expecting Liputa to kick arshe and murder zombie kids..well the trailers are extremely misleading.
Why such a low score?
gostuffawesome20 October 2019
Easy to watch
jay_kay_gee18 March 2021
Whilst this has many children in the cast this is clearly for adults.
The quirky comedic story of two adults trying to keep a kindergarten class safe on a school trip when a zombie outbreak occurs at a nearby army base
The teacher, played by Lupita Nyong'o steals the show, with the uncle of one of the children becoming an easily likeable character as the movie progresses.
Throw into the mix the horrible children's entertainer to stop the story becoming too cutesy with sweet singalongs and the film is an easy distraction for an evening.
Who wouldn't have wanted Miss Caroline as their teacher
No need to overthink this .. relax and enjoy
No need to overthink this .. relax and enjoy
Movie that does not know what it is
the_real_smile28 December 2019
I did not enjoy this movie and this is why. First the buildup of the movie: 30 minutes intro main characters (jawn), 5 minutes cool army base (yeah), 10 minutes zombie chases (tame), 40 minutes locked up in a shop with a lot of singing. The movie contains to much little children to be an adult movie, but the jokes and swearing are to rude to be a children's movie, so what is this for movie? For adults far to childish, for kids to rude. Just don't expect to much humor or zombie action, but a lot of singing, just like that movie Frozen.
Biased opinion as a parent...
wasabiteabag20 March 2021
Biased opinion as a parent, but the kids in this horror spoof made it amazing. Makes sense as the film is dedicated to Abe Forsythe's son Spike, whose first day of kindergarten inspired parts of the story. Some original zombie gags towards the end were a nice touch. Definitely reccomend to 'Shaun of the Dead' fans that now have kids. My wife had tears during the credits, happy or sad? You'll just have to find out.
10/10 For what it is.
riffbw-0455423 May 2022
As a movie I'd give this 6/10. It's cliché, uses the tropes well, and downright funny. For what it was aiming to be it's a perfect 10 and I can't fault a movie for that. It's fun, easy to watch, and heartfelt at the right moments. It's not a movie you turn to to be challenged, it's a movie you turn to for feel good entertainment.
Lupita Nyong'o is incredible towing the line between sweet, innocent teacher and total badass that doesn't want to show the students that side of her. Josh Gad delivers as always and brings a fair amount of dark humor to the story. I don't know who the other lead was, he's there and does a good job, but his role could be played by a lot of people and get the same result.
If I had any complaints, it's that the opening bit before we meet Nyongo's character drags a bit, but after that it really picks up.
Lupita Nyong'o is incredible towing the line between sweet, innocent teacher and total badass that doesn't want to show the students that side of her. Josh Gad delivers as always and brings a fair amount of dark humor to the story. I don't know who the other lead was, he's there and does a good job, but his role could be played by a lot of people and get the same result.
If I had any complaints, it's that the opening bit before we meet Nyongo's character drags a bit, but after that it really picks up.
Surprisingly good
craigmbritt23 October 2021
This movie has been on my list for a while. I finally watched it and wasn't disappointed. I actually really enjoyed it! The characters were great and Ms. Caroline is absolutely stunning. Not your average zombie movie but an overall feel good movie with zombies. But there are some gory zombie moments!
Funny yet Gory
rpico54 September 2021
Highly Enjoyable Zombedy With Equal Amounts of Black & Feel-Good Comedy
TwistedContent11 October 2019
I think it's true that this could be the most enjoyable zombie comedy since "Shaun of the Dead", there are as many great bits of black comedy as there are those of the feel-good kind. While the laughs do come from familiar places, a lot of factors, including the two leads, makes the movie very worthwhile.
"Little Monsters" is a fast paced, simple minded yet witty zombedy adventure. It starts off a lot like a black comedy, lots of crude but actually funny jokes, no zombies yet & Alexander England gets introduced as the first of two highly enjoyable leads. The other is a quickly rising favorite of mine - Lupita Nyong'o, who has established herself as a strong presence on screen in both darkly serious and comedic roles/movies. I hope she sticks around the horror genre, because she would be missed in the community. As the story unravels, the comedy continues, but shifts slowly, showing off moments both sweet and scary. Quite a few feel-good, sweet sequences and I had no choice but to root for our heroes. Even all the kids did their best thing, adorable little creatures. I'm happy to say that aesthetically & technically "Little Monsters" is very well done, vibrant, playful and bloody. I've found that it's quite easy for a good comedy to make you sport the rose colored glasses, because they are undeniably very entertaining and can steal your heart sometimes - this excuse is the intro for me stating that I can't pick on this movie much, it was a wild and awesome ride. Some flaws I noticed were, for example, a drop in pacing around the middle part of the movie, the afore mentioned familiriaty of the concept, jokes, flow, structure, but all that didn't stand in the way of "Little Monsters" being a blast.
Not a lot of great zombedies nowadays, maybe even less than once a year a solid one comes around, so I encourage You to pick this up, get into the couch and enjoy the adventure. My rating: 8/10
"Little Monsters" is a fast paced, simple minded yet witty zombedy adventure. It starts off a lot like a black comedy, lots of crude but actually funny jokes, no zombies yet & Alexander England gets introduced as the first of two highly enjoyable leads. The other is a quickly rising favorite of mine - Lupita Nyong'o, who has established herself as a strong presence on screen in both darkly serious and comedic roles/movies. I hope she sticks around the horror genre, because she would be missed in the community. As the story unravels, the comedy continues, but shifts slowly, showing off moments both sweet and scary. Quite a few feel-good, sweet sequences and I had no choice but to root for our heroes. Even all the kids did their best thing, adorable little creatures. I'm happy to say that aesthetically & technically "Little Monsters" is very well done, vibrant, playful and bloody. I've found that it's quite easy for a good comedy to make you sport the rose colored glasses, because they are undeniably very entertaining and can steal your heart sometimes - this excuse is the intro for me stating that I can't pick on this movie much, it was a wild and awesome ride. Some flaws I noticed were, for example, a drop in pacing around the middle part of the movie, the afore mentioned familiriaty of the concept, jokes, flow, structure, but all that didn't stand in the way of "Little Monsters" being a blast.
Not a lot of great zombedies nowadays, maybe even less than once a year a solid one comes around, so I encourage You to pick this up, get into the couch and enjoy the adventure. My rating: 8/10
Presently Surprised
discord20428 May 2020
Wasn't really expecting too much when starting this film. Just bored really and seen Lupita Nyong'o was in it so I figured I'd give it a go. As absurd as the plot is, I actually really enjoyed watching the actors play these roles out all the way through until the end.
Little Monsters
Prismark1019 November 2019
Manchild slacker Dave (Alexander England) breaks up with his long term girlfriend and moves into his sister's home for a bit.
The street busker takes a liking to his nephew's schoolteacher, Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong'o.) In order to be with her, Dave volunteers to take his nephew's class on a field trip to a petting zoo.
Unfortunately an army test facility nearby has a sudden zombie outbreak. Dave and Miss Caroline needs to keep the children safe by pretending this is all part of the outing.
Teddy McGiggle (Josh Gad) is a superstar children's entertainer who happens to be at the farm to make his television show. However he reveals himself to be a selfish jerk who is happy to let the kids be killed by zombies.
Lupita does well as a kick ass heroine trying to keep the kids safe. However this film is too crude to be a child friendly film and not horrific enough for younger adults. It has no idea which audience it was aiming for. The zombies are just there to provide gore when the film needs it.
As a comedy rom-com horror hybrid it is not for funny enough for teenagers and a little bit too silly. Both Dave and McGiggle are just annoying fools.
The street busker takes a liking to his nephew's schoolteacher, Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong'o.) In order to be with her, Dave volunteers to take his nephew's class on a field trip to a petting zoo.
Unfortunately an army test facility nearby has a sudden zombie outbreak. Dave and Miss Caroline needs to keep the children safe by pretending this is all part of the outing.
Teddy McGiggle (Josh Gad) is a superstar children's entertainer who happens to be at the farm to make his television show. However he reveals himself to be a selfish jerk who is happy to let the kids be killed by zombies.
Lupita does well as a kick ass heroine trying to keep the kids safe. However this film is too crude to be a child friendly film and not horrific enough for younger adults. It has no idea which audience it was aiming for. The zombies are just there to provide gore when the film needs it.
As a comedy rom-com horror hybrid it is not for funny enough for teenagers and a little bit too silly. Both Dave and McGiggle are just annoying fools.
Smh at these SERIOUS reviewers
MsHoneyBee12 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I knew from the trailer this would be an off beat comedy. Movie goers need to do some research before seeing a movie if they plan to be so critical.
1. This is a Hulu original so take your expectations down a notch - all you too serious critics. 2. ITS A COMEDY. What are you really expecting?
This movie has all the cliches of a typical zombie film but spun in a world of differences. Come on! A class full of kindergarteners trapped at a farm with zombies. Yes please! Josh Gad was amazing. I was shocked with his characters twist and he was very funny as the polar opposite of a kids tv actor. lol. Lupita outperforms every time and my favorite by far was little Felix! The kids were awesome actors and I like the comical way they portrayed the military officials. Come on! Such a fun movie.
This movie doesn't take itself seriously and you shouldn't either! It's fun and cute! Relax, guys!
I'm a little biased as a Preschool teacher but man... what would you do if you were in that situation? Save those kids!
I totally recommend this movie. Not too much gore, just creepy enough and so fun!
1. This is a Hulu original so take your expectations down a notch - all you too serious critics. 2. ITS A COMEDY. What are you really expecting?
This movie has all the cliches of a typical zombie film but spun in a world of differences. Come on! A class full of kindergarteners trapped at a farm with zombies. Yes please! Josh Gad was amazing. I was shocked with his characters twist and he was very funny as the polar opposite of a kids tv actor. lol. Lupita outperforms every time and my favorite by far was little Felix! The kids were awesome actors and I like the comical way they portrayed the military officials. Come on! Such a fun movie.
This movie doesn't take itself seriously and you shouldn't either! It's fun and cute! Relax, guys!
I'm a little biased as a Preschool teacher but man... what would you do if you were in that situation? Save those kids!
I totally recommend this movie. Not too much gore, just creepy enough and so fun!
Fun Australian Dark Film
TheHoodOfSwords10 March 2020
First off, I have to say that everyone in this movie is casted perfectly. This movie is a dark comedy first, and a zombie movie second. That isn't a bad thing though. It's funny, there was a couple times I didn't expect it to hit and it definitely did. I will say parts of it drags quite a bit. Some jokes also feel like a completely different movies. Overall though, it's a fun popcorn munching movie.
Turned off after 10 minutes as couldn't manage to watch
james-goddard121 November 2019
No idea why anybody would give this a good rating, The main character was so unlikable and constant swearing when talking to his 5 year old nephew was just boring and not needed.
I have watched all kinds of random films and plenty with gore and a lot more swearing but the way was done here was just irritating and created a main character that I had no empathy or interest in seeing unless it was to watch him eaten by one of the Zombies which I suspect was unlikely.
I have watched all kinds of random films and plenty with gore and a lot more swearing but the way was done here was just irritating and created a main character that I had no empathy or interest in seeing unless it was to watch him eaten by one of the Zombies which I suspect was unlikely.
Australian films are definitely coming along with some great original ideas
markthomassintek14 October 2019
REVIEW - LITTLE MONSTERS
Zombies and comedy do they mix, Simon Pegg a while ago made Saun Of The Dead which for some reason unknown to me because a cult comedy classic but if you did like the above mentioned film then give this Australian film a try because Little Monsters is very funny in places.
Follow the exploits of a school teacher, a washed up musician and a TV celebrity as they battle an outbreak of Zombies to keep a class of school children safe.
Australian films are definitely coming along with some great original ideas and this is one such little monster of a film.
Rating 7 out of 10
Zombies and comedy do they mix, Simon Pegg a while ago made Saun Of The Dead which for some reason unknown to me because a cult comedy classic but if you did like the above mentioned film then give this Australian film a try because Little Monsters is very funny in places.
Follow the exploits of a school teacher, a washed up musician and a TV celebrity as they battle an outbreak of Zombies to keep a class of school children safe.
Australian films are definitely coming along with some great original ideas and this is one such little monster of a film.
Rating 7 out of 10
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
