Review of The Monitor (2014) by Brett H — 13 Jan 2017

The Monitor is a tense and paranoia-ridden thriller from Norway, about a mentally unstable mother who begins hearing strange sounds emitting from her son's baby monitor; leading her to relive the abusive nightmare she recently escaped from.

The film stars Noomi Rapace as the grief-stricken, single mother who is now overprotective of her son due to her violent ex-husband's wrath, and has moved into a new apartment complex to keep distance from him.

Rapace's character is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and her only companion is the lowly, electronics worker she befriends at the store. He also happens to be a bit of a momma's-boy; furthering the themes of overprotected parenting.

The film has a supernatural undercurrent with the strange screams heard on the baby monitor, as well as, her son's new friend from school, who seems to act as if she's invisible and he can misbehave at a whim.

It is difficult to discuss this film without spoiling its secrets, but know that it is a so-so thriller that gets by on a solid leading performance and the mystery elements will keep you hooked. It's nothing new, but just good enough for a one-time watch!