Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

I haven't seen him in his film debut, Pan, but after his absolutely eminent performance in A Monster Calls, there's no doubt - a new star calls for the actor's stardom sky. Lewis MacDougall's ability to bring one's emotional dephts into rare motions is simply astonishing. For the director and other cast to be working with this brilliant young actor must have been nothing but a special experience and a pleasure. The prestigious Sigourney Weaver does her best roles in a long time, and the excellent Felicity Jones shows again that she belongs up there, but MacDougall outshines them both, together with any other actor that I've seen in resent years. Yes, this is a good and absolutely well made film in so many ways, but it's really not necessary to say, because how could it possibly matter?

Belief is half of all healing! Wow! This movie is so beautiful!

A young boy is having visions of a tree like monster that visits him at night. The visitations coincide with him being bullied at school and his strained relationship with his mother and grandmother.The characters, effects, production and story are all great! You really get sucked into the life of the main character and there are quite a few anxious scenes where he is trying to come to terms his life.The monster dispenses some short stories in cartoon format which helps break up the relatively bleak and slow real action.I didn't find there to be many surprises but although I could see what was coming up ahead when the movie got there I was still gripped.This is an excellent movie, however, I don't think it is a spoiler to say that this film is not a barrel of laughs and it is quite slow.Watch this on a big TV with the sound turned up to get the most of the monster scenes.

Warning spoilers!I passed on this movie when it was released theatrically and then on initial home video release. I found this movie in the 2 for $1 rental (blu-ray) at my local brick and mortar video store. On side note, great bass for home theater when the tree monster (voiced by Liam Neeson) walks and very good video quality.This is a well-acted, well-written and great story about a sad topic (terminal illness of a mother). Much like "Pan's Labyrinth" is not a fantasy movie for young children though both have fantasy elements. Still I think pre-teens on up in age are ok to watch this if they are willing to watch and then discuss this thoughtful movie.Amazing performance all around and especially by the actor playing Connor.Even lIttle touches (easter egg) in movie like blink and you'll miss it serve the story: e.g. old picture of Liam Neeson (as human) with his movie wife (Sigourney Weaver's) character. Too bad this movie "bombed" at the box office. Instead poorly written tent-pole movies like Star Wars 8 The Last Jedi collect the money and fill the theatres.