Director Michael Matthews discusses Love and Monsters, a movie from South Africa
South African film director Michael Matthews, who has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, has made a name for himself with his latest film, Love and Monsters. This apocalyptic adventure movie has been hailed as a throwback to the classic Amblin-era fantasy films and has received worldwide distribution, making it a New York Times Critics Pick.
Matthews, who was particularly fond of the Indiana Jones character as a child, draws inspiration from early Spielberg films like Indiana Jones, The Goonies, ET, and Jurassic Park. His love for filmmaking was further fuelled by his father and the movie Jurassic Park.
Love and Monsters tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world infested with monsters, primarily various dinosaur species. The film stands out for its vivid creature design and post-apocalyptic landscape, which adds a sense of wonder to the otherwise dangerous setting. The monsters are rendered with impressive visual effects that balance menace and whimsy, making them visually striking and integral to the narrative tension.
The central theme of Love and Monsters is the emotional core focused on surviving in a monster-infested world to reunite with a loved one. The journey emphasizes courage, hope, and personal growth amid adversity, making the human story as compelling as the monster encounters. The protagonist embarks on a quest full of dangers and challenges, which doubles as a rite of passage, underscoring self-discovery, resilience, and forging one’s path in a hostile environment.
The film also highlights forming unexpected friendships and alliances, such as between the protagonist and his monster companion Minnow. This illustrates themes of love and acceptance that transcend species or appearances. The film's positive reviews also highlight its emotional depth and its ability to win over diverse audiences.
Matthews believes that the TV series space offers more opportunities for filmmakers due to the increased consumption of content on streaming channels. He also suggests that finding ways to partner with other countries and create bigger audiences is the best way to continue growing local films. Matthews is currently working on a handful of films, including some big studio movies and smaller projects in various genres like monster, sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, outer space, pre-historic, comic book, and nostalgic type worlds.
Love and Monsters is available on Netflix and is a must-watch for fans of apocalyptic adventure films. Its unique blend of heartfelt storytelling, imaginative monster encounters, and a visually lush environment reinvigorate the apocalyptic adventure film category, making it a fresh and engaging experience for viewers.
Matthews' passion for filmmaking, inspired by Spielberg's works like Indiana Jones, The Goonies, ET, and Jurassic Park, led him to create Love and Monsters, a movie that combines elements of home-and-garden (post-apocalyptic landscape) with movies-and-tv (apocalyptic adventure) and entertainment (riveting storyline and creature design). The film, currently streaming on Netflix, offers an appealing lifestyle (engaging viewing experience) for both screenwriting enthusiasts and broader audiences.
