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Maze Runner star Dylan O'Brien's Love and Monsters on Netflix is more than a Zombieland rip-off

On its surface, Love and Monsters reads a bit like a Zombieland knock-off, only without the zombies; swap them for mutated, now monstrous amphibians. The synopsis reads: "Seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson (Dylan O'Brien), along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land.

"After reconnecting over the radio with his high-school girlfriend, Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there's nothing left for him underground, he decides to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way."

Indeed, the first 20 minutes or so feel quite similar to Zombieland. However, as the film moves forward, whatever similarities exist between the two begin to fade and the particular story of Love and Monsters, and its inhabitants, blossoms.

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

O'Brien, who is best known for his turn in the Maze Runner series (itself often branded as a rip-off of the Hunger Games franchise, ironically) and American Assassin, takes on a different role here from his previous ones: that of a bit of a wimp.

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Joel is not who you'd want to have on your side to survive the monsterpocalypse. However, because the film is told from his point of view, his shortcomings never feel like the kind of weaknesses that would truly jeopardise the group (even though they would).

In fact, Joel spends most of the movie in the company of a dog and, we have to admit, that once the dog (named Boy) joins the movie becomes infinitely more watchable and enjoyable. Giving Joel a dog first to interact with allows his character to develop differently than if he met people who could judge him.

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Speaking of which, you can't talk about Love and Monsters without mentioning Michael Rooker's (Guardians of the Galaxy) brief, but very sweet, role as Clyde. He's a much softer, more empathetic version of Woody Harrelson's Tallahassee, who also looks after the young Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt).

Indeed, much of Love and Monsters is softer, kinder, and more family-oriented than other survival/apocalypse films. The stakes still feel high, but the corresponding raunch is absent, making it a surprisingly enjoyable, almost easy watch. Like the beach-read version of an apocalypse story.

That's not a disparaging comment. There is still longing, sadness, and abject grief in Love and Monsters, but these themes aren't millstones — rather, they're facts of life, not overtly drawn into humour nor dramatised within an inch of their lives (nor our attention span).

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

There is the requisite love interest, and while it would be nice to have Henwick's Aimee be more than the movie's McGuffin, it really is Joel's movie and to split time between the two characters, giving us a more in-depth look into Aimee's life since the monsterpocalypse, would distract from the overarching story of Joel's development.

Even more so than O'Brien's other roles, Love and Monsters shows he's an actor of range and – most importantly – softness. He doesn't have to be a gun-wielding, revenge-bent action hero with a traumatic dark streak, he can be a kind, endearing, sometimes brave, sometimes scared, more real character.

Because in Love and Monsters, Joel does something that most heroic leads in apocalyptic films fail to do: he hesitates. So while the movie may be set in a monster-ridden apocalypse, it's really a story of growing up and learning to trust your gut.

Oh, and the dog. Did we mention the dog? Such a good Boy!

Love and Monsters is now available to watch on Netflix


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