A young gang member decides to exact revenge against the man who abused him in prison. Here is our review of director and writer AR Ugas’s hard-hitting short film Monsters Never Die
A funky track starts proceedings as we see friends playing pool together. They laugh, joke, and fool around; it’s a colourful scene in a 15-minute short film that, for the rest of its run time, will visit some very dark places. Suddenly the mood changes when our protagonist, played by a tortured and somewhat unhinged Craige Middleburg, catches sight of someone on TV he immediately recognises. This person goes by the name of Lewis McCarthy, performed with a detached coolness by Junior Alofabi Salokun who a few years ago starred in Blue Story. McCarthy is now a pillar of the community, a believer in God, and prisoner reform a champion of youth culture and services. But he was also a prison mate of Middleburg’s character and subjected him to serious bouts of sexual and physical abuse. As Middleburg plots to retaliate in the outside world, we then enter the realms of revenge cinema that seems very familiar if you have seen the 90s drama Sleepers which starred Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, and Brad Pitt amongst many other familiar faces.
As both writer and director, AR Ugas’s script enables “Monsters Never Die” to present the audiences with a poignant and thought-provoking cinematic journey. His writing looks at the struggle of people who find themselves trapped, unable to escape the chains of their own nature, and specifically their actions in the past. Through a smart blend of gritty filmmaking, modern language patterns, and accents (Middleburg in particular sports a faux English/black dialect that is very much how many street kids talk today), Ugas delivers a resonant story that challenges us to reflect on ourselves and think how we might behave in similar circumstances.
The pacing of his direction strikes a nice balance between contemplation and urgency, with the cinematography by James Alexander Barnett skillfully employing evocative imagery, allowing viewers to see the complexities of the characters. Many of the external scenes are given an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality, with light and shadow capturing the inner turmoil. The wide shots of beaches, piers, and water suggest these people are all trapped together with no escape, but they do provide a certain poetic beauty at odds with the subject matter. The music is another bonus, acting very much like another character as behaviours and plot points reach a crescendo the sound engulfs us, adding some more nuance to the already heavy subtext.
At the heart of the film, lies an undercurrent of anger and emotion symbolised by outbursts of violence and profanity scattered throughout by each character. The inner demons they have and try to control are reminiscent of the inner demons we all have. They embody the notion that some people’s lives are only heading in one direction, no matter how hard they strive for change.
Monsters Never Die is a fine short film that delves into some philosophical quandaries about life. Strong direction, coupled with outstanding performances makes it a moving and memorable experience. A dark story with a powerful emotional finale, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
Leave a Reply