Alejandro Landes’ “MONOS”

Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

In a hilltop fortress on a remote Latin American mountaintop a group of teenage guerilla soldiers is relentlessly trained and disciplined as they guard an imprisoned American hostage. When their military masters are away, though, they act like teenagers by playing and otherwise goofing off. During an extended absence of their masters, they begin to act even more undisciplined. Factions form. After a government attack on their base they move their hostage into the jungle. Discipline deteriorates further.

Parallels with the Lord of the Flies are inevitable despite the (often absent) adult guerilla military that is calling the shots. 

One has to wonder: what is the point of this film? A contemplation of how quickly society can descend into chaos? A cautionary tale about the over militarization of youth? An examination of the struggle to maintain humanity in the face of overwhelming negative adult social pressure?

I’m not sure it matters. The film is beautifully produced and acted. The young ensemble is superb. The cinematography is stunning as it alternates between the primitive nature of the teenagers’ encampment and the glorious views of the mountains and nature that surround them. 

What is the outcome of all this social destruction? There’s no single and clear message since it’s possible to be both entranced and repelled by the on screen events.

Certainly one reasonable response is sadness in that it is probably likely that events like this, as outrageous as they are portrayed in this film, are occurring somewhere in the world as we sit comfortably in the dark watching.

Review copyright 2021 by Dennis D. McDonald