After a mother (Ando Sakura) discovers that a teacher’s bullying is behind her young son’s sudden strange behavior, she storms into his school demanding an explanation. Continually left without satisfactory answers—and with an increasingly distressed child—she furiously escalates her concerns to the school board and the media. But as the story unfolds through the multilayered perspectives of mother, teacher, and child, the real truth gradually emerges—and proves much more complex than anyone could have expected.

Lauded by audiences, critics, and festivals around the world (including winning the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival), the film is also notable for including some of the final works from late composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto.

“Hirokazu Kore-eda riffs on ‘Rashomon’ in a poignant melodrama about rushing to judgment.” (IndieWire)

“Among the medium’s most humanistic directors, inclined to see the best in people, especially children.” (Variety)

“’Monster’ isn’t about what it initially appears to be; the narrative peels away the diversionary misapprehensions until it arrives at its emotional kernel of truth, and the film offers us hope, not despair.” (Guardian UK)

Tuesday, January 9
Doors 5:50 pm | Movie 6:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Saturday, January 20
Doors 2:15 pm | Movie 2:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

MONSTER (Hirokazu Koe-eda, 2023 / 126 mins / 14A / Japanese with English subtitles) A single mother demands answers from a school teacher when her son begins acting strangely. A fight at school causes even more trouble.

*Minors permitted. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office. 
*All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for snack at concession.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are also available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. Box office is open 30 minutes before showtime.
*To redeem a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: Either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up”, or exchange at box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.