10 PERFECT Monster Movies You MUST Watch

5. Monsters

It's ironic how a movie called Monsters refuses to behave like a creature feature. Six years after aliens landed in Mexico, borders are militarised and citizens are uprooted from their former lives. Rather than dealing with the galactic intruders upfront, Gareth Edwards' sci-fi drama focuses on living with the aftermath.

The premise may seem anticlimactic, especially for those hoping for a more conventional monster saga. But with this tactic, every glimpse of the space invaders feels momentous, amplifying any down-to-earth conflicts significantly.

Instead of looking at the situation from the point of view of government officials, scientists, or heroic figures, the plot follows two travellers, Andrew and Samantha, who are trying to reach safety. As such, all the alien interactions are from their experience, making the narrative more personal.

Even when the extra-terrestrials aren't directly seen, it always feels like they're a stone's throw away, especially when Andrew and Samantha stumble upon mauled carcasses or hear about creature attacks through the grapevine. Because of this, viewers are left in a constant state of tension, even when things are quiet, much like how the lead characters are forced to live day-in and day-out.