Despite being advertised as a monster anthology, there are monsters only in the metaphorical sense. It's an interesting premise that unfortunately results in a slow, bleak, and depressing experience. I wouldn't call Monsterland a bad series, it's well made and the acting is very good, however from the previews I was expecting an entertaining set of monster-based shows, similar to the stand-alone episodes of Grimm, Supernatural, X-Files, etc. Instead we get a study in psychology where the underbelly of life is given form and the 'monsters' are manifestations of human struggle and mental illness. Again, interesting in its own way but definitely not the fun monster romp I was looking forward to watching.
164 Reviews
BETTER THAN I EXPECTED BUT NOT SCARY
catfanatic8887 October 2020
I thought this series was supposed to be horror but it's not really in my opinion. Each story is unique (mostly) and some are much better than others. My least favorite was the Texas one. That one was a dud. However a couple of them were so interesting. The one that really creeped me out was the one with Taylor Schilling. Her character was interesting, mysterious and ultimately unforgettable. The breakout star was Miss Dever who equally frustrated me but then gained my compassion. She's a young star who is on the rise right now and is one to watch!
Poorly marketed, also did no one else google the book?
milk-1462621 October 2020
A ton of these reviews lament the script writing, however, few actually seem to realize it is adaptation of a short story anthology, North American Lake Monsters y by Nathan Ballingrud. I have not read the anthology which seems to be much more favorably reviewed. The show was good just poorly marketed. The previews and and retitling definitely do not fit the show. It also seems the source material may have alluded to more actual monsters where the stories selected here were mostly metaphorical.
I will adjust my score accordingly, but ep 1 is Great
MoistMovies2 October 2020
I will add more to this review but if the caliber of the rest of the episodes is the same as the first.. well horror fans of all shapes and sizes.. we might be in for a big treat.
Many 'horror' fans, by that i mean gore mongers. Will perhaps not appreciate the first episode considering its a psychological horror... I for one got a pure feeling of unease watching the first ep, this often comes from great story writing, editing and direction can do this with dialogue coming secondary.
Episode 2, Also another psychological horror. That ambiguous ending will have you questioning everything that came before it in a different light. Everything seemed more innocent until.... well you'll have to see. Really what carried this episode is the acting of the lead. I've seen him in other things and he plays certain characters very well.
Edit, Just done with episode 5... My score has thus far not merited being downgraded from a 9 especially after this episode... Many people in the world are affected or have a loved one affected with mental illness. This one hit very deep for me as I struggle with mental illness and will for many other people like myself who have felt that level of despair where you thought there was only one solution... fortunately i keep myself in line in that regard more for the sake of others than myself. Others are not so fortunate to have that level of control....
Episode 2, Also another psychological horror. That ambiguous ending will have you questioning everything that came before it in a different light. Everything seemed more innocent until.... well you'll have to see. Really what carried this episode is the acting of the lead. I've seen him in other things and he plays certain characters very well.
Edit, Just done with episode 5... My score has thus far not merited being downgraded from a 9 especially after this episode... Many people in the world are affected or have a loved one affected with mental illness. This one hit very deep for me as I struggle with mental illness and will for many other people like myself who have felt that level of despair where you thought there was only one solution... fortunately i keep myself in line in that regard more for the sake of others than myself. Others are not so fortunate to have that level of control....
Not what ypu expect
jfost754 October 2020
Hulu releases this show in Oct to ride the Halloween train but the title is completely misleading, the show isnt about monsters or any real horror. Instead, its a collection of depressing stories about people struggling in life. Theres usually some mention of a "monster" but for the most part it's just a low-rent psychological show. If youre looking for entertainment, keep looking.
Series that has a spin of bad lives and how they blend with grim gothic fable like beast and connects with people.
blanbrn27 October 2020
"Hulu's", "Monsterland" series is one strange, different, and interesting far out anthology which includes tales and stories set in different locations, yet it involves ordinary folks and their grim daily problems of life. Some episodes were strange and hit and miss other episodes were well written with twist and good as they took a spin for truth and revenge. The stories also blend into the characters lives as they crossed paths with evil killers, supernatural forces, ghosts, haunted demons, cursed legends, religion, angels, and gothic fable cursed characters like evil witches and wolves. Overall the series may not be everyone's cup of tea still it's a watch if you like suspense, drama, and twist and how it relates to ordinary people in real life as it shows the connection to the paranormal and strange!
Trying to stick with it, but...
laurensmolka-134634 October 2020
It's getting tough. I don't expect to be spoon-fed a story, but the endings are just so abrupt and nothing is resolved or explained. The acting is superb, in my opinion, but it's wasted by bad writing and the typical predictable social issues. I'm four episodes in and I think I'd rather watch paint dry.
In summary, all style, no substance. Was not at all what I expected and hoped for.
In summary, all style, no substance. Was not at all what I expected and hoped for.
Give it a try
pardue-012416 October 2020
I honestly didn't know what to expect and I'm glad I came in with an open mind. I don't think there's enough shows out there that feeds into the complex mind of humans. It's unsettling, sad, beautiful, and serves as a warning. People that don't "get" it are probably just wanting to watch something like insidious or Friday the 13th. This show definately requires your full attention but stick with it. I will say I liked all of them except for episode 4 that one dragged. I think if you like The ABCs of Death or Stephen King youd like this
Hit and miss but still entertaining.
burkyboy-214-9404205 October 2020
The first episode of season one struck me similarly to my seminal reaction to the first X-Files episode. And I was excited with this prospect. Even without Molder and Scully.
However, after watching half of the first season something has become apparent. The performances, production design, cinematography, and general mood are great. The scripts are spotty though. They tend to end abruptly, leaving the conclusions unresolved or "open-ended." And as a viewer I feel that this is a let down, or indicative of lazy writing.
These meandering storylines are allowable for a few, errand episodes within a season, however, it seems to be a series pattern.
None-the-less, I'll continue watching because there are some satisfying pay-offs within this series. You just have to wade through the murk.
However, after watching half of the first season something has become apparent. The performances, production design, cinematography, and general mood are great. The scripts are spotty though. They tend to end abruptly, leaving the conclusions unresolved or "open-ended." And as a viewer I feel that this is a let down, or indicative of lazy writing.
These meandering storylines are allowable for a few, errand episodes within a season, however, it seems to be a series pattern.
None-the-less, I'll continue watching because there are some satisfying pay-offs within this series. You just have to wade through the murk.
Blunt force messages neutralize any real horror.
El_DustinD3 October 2020
Horror not spoonfed to you; brilliant
cisneroslaw6 October 2020
Its disappounting that people dont see the real monster is poverty and desperation. But its not just a boring preachy dreary show. Its reality and there are horror aspects and supernatural story lines but its not a Ryan Murphy show.
Its for deep thinkers and it wont disappoint those who can derive meaning behind the exterior.
Disappointing Horror
MustBeGus4 October 2020
Horror is like pizza...even when it's bad, it's still pretty good. This is bad pizza. Gone are the days of meaningful writing in the horror genre and are replaced with empty fodder peppered with jump-scares and half-decent costumes. I don't know if it's a result of writers catering to dumber audiences or just lazy and uninspired writing, but this fits either. This anthology had 8 chances for various writers to showcase their writing talents and while there were a few intriguing storylines, they all fell flat with what seemed like a feaux creative way for the writers to allow the audience to draw their own conclusions; aka: writers couldn't come up with a way to end the story and places the blame on the viewer. My guess is Hulu pays their writers in free Hulu subscriptions.
Much better than I expected
rrhaskin7 October 2020
Firstly, I have only seen the first episode so far. I am always on the lookout for shows that are on the sinister side. I expected this show to be about typical monsters, and I really do not enjoy that kind of entertainment. I do enjoy a deep, meaningful psychological thriller which this seems to be. I recommend it, but not if you are looking for typical halloween horror.
Unfortunately, grim and depressing.
Spellbound883 October 2020
I thought this was going to be something entirely different. It really depends on what you're looking for a in a show right now. In my opinion, it's unnecessarily upsetting, sometimes explicit, quite depressing, boring (and I don't say this often), and sort of aimless. Not to mention, inconclusive. I wanted something along the lines of Channel Zero, the first few seasons of AHS, or Sharp objects, instead I got a set of morbid, dark and joyless stories that sucked the life out of me. I suggest Lovecraft country instead, as it's quite good and rather new as well.
Won't keep you up at night, but will keep you thinking for days
kajacobs-764325 October 2020
Monsterland advertises itself as blurring the lines between black and white. While traditional horror always punished the obvious sinner, what Monsterland does well, is make their protagonist more human. The characters range from distraught teenagers, to a billionaire, to middle class families. Even if you can't find your exact socioeconomic status in this eight-part series, you can be sure you'll relate to one of their stories.
In some episodes, the monsters are debated, they may be hallucinations or normal facts that everyone accepts. In other episodes it's obvious that humanity is the monster, a recurring theme throughout all genres. What Monsterland does well though, is that it makes you wonder what is real and what isn't. What is a representation of something the author and producers wanted to portray, or what is bonafide supernatural entities.
What I loved about Monsterland is that it portrays the true horror. While there is no shortage of blood and gore, there are no jump scares. This series will not keep you up at night; however, it will make you think about humanity. There are 7 billion people, each living their own lives with their own darkness. Monsterland offers brief illuminations into that darkness that threatens us all, without relying on gore, jump scares, or monsters. It's an honest look at how anybody, of any race, any financial status, any orientation, can have a difficult time with life.
Each show is a slowburn. There are very few moments that I would consider my "favorites". In each episode, you must understand the characters and their blights before understanding the monster, whether it is real or imaginary. Because of this, some episodes fall flat, some are intriguing, and the only genuine episode is the series finale. Monsterland takes you on a journey that will not leave you sleeping with the lights on, but will make you think that the characters in each episode are not so different between you and I.
In some episodes, the monsters are debated, they may be hallucinations or normal facts that everyone accepts. In other episodes it's obvious that humanity is the monster, a recurring theme throughout all genres. What Monsterland does well though, is that it makes you wonder what is real and what isn't. What is a representation of something the author and producers wanted to portray, or what is bonafide supernatural entities.
What I loved about Monsterland is that it portrays the true horror. While there is no shortage of blood and gore, there are no jump scares. This series will not keep you up at night; however, it will make you think about humanity. There are 7 billion people, each living their own lives with their own darkness. Monsterland offers brief illuminations into that darkness that threatens us all, without relying on gore, jump scares, or monsters. It's an honest look at how anybody, of any race, any financial status, any orientation, can have a difficult time with life.
Each show is a slowburn. There are very few moments that I would consider my "favorites". In each episode, you must understand the characters and their blights before understanding the monster, whether it is real or imaginary. Because of this, some episodes fall flat, some are intriguing, and the only genuine episode is the series finale. Monsterland takes you on a journey that will not leave you sleeping with the lights on, but will make you think that the characters in each episode are not so different between you and I.
Production & Acting Great; Story... not so much
hafaball-13 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I was expecting more of a modern version of Creepshow/Outer Limits narratives with a Twilight Zoney spin (since I didn't care for the newer Twilight Zones), and though the Production and acting has been stellar in the first 2 episodes I've seen, the story and endings for both have been extremely lackluster. Both episodes dealt with young downtrodden lower class people, dealing with Big Pharma and Mental issues, with someone in their family keeping them stuck in their lot in life. Whether this is a trend or poorly organized episodes, it's a shame to see such a high quality show saddled with subpar stories, barely having to do with a monster, unless the real monster is life? I'll keep giving it a try though.
Ignore the bad reviews
zacharydalexander4 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The show isn't a traditional monster show. If that's what you're looking for, you'll be upset. The show is different vignettes from around the US of "monster" stories where there is a literal monster but they're much more of a literal representation. I think of lot of the bad reviews come from people who saw episode 2 (about an incel getting radicalized by the Internet) and took it personally
something different, good
billsheri5 October 2020
I don't understand such negative reviews, 2 or even 1 out of ten?
good acting well scripted and decent camera work
now im only giving it a 7 because i dont want to over egg it, but my enjoyment of this was 8, but its not everyones cup of tea i understand that
but i have seen horror films done in their parents basement on an iphone with family members as the cast, that i couldnt bear to watch 5 minutes without skipping ahead and turning it off
this is different from the twilight zone ,devs, tales from the dark side , tales of the crypt , but has elements of all of those but different
thankyou hulu
good acting well scripted and decent camera work
now im only giving it a 7 because i dont want to over egg it, but my enjoyment of this was 8, but its not everyones cup of tea i understand that
but i have seen horror films done in their parents basement on an iphone with family members as the cast, that i couldnt bear to watch 5 minutes without skipping ahead and turning it off
this is different from the twilight zone ,devs, tales from the dark side , tales of the crypt , but has elements of all of those but different
thankyou hulu
Is it just me or...
cherub32169-879-619415 October 2020
It seems like I'm part of the consensus but make no mistake my opinion is my own and was made well before reading any other review. Pardon me but WTF? I didn't get a lot of these. Horribly depressing and topics that were much darker than should be made into a show. (Not being a prude but I felt like I needed a shower and an antidepressant after watching these). No resolutions or representations either. Like a piece of music (bad music) where the last note is forgotten and you're left going (again) WTF? Someone finish this or show me what it all meant. Could be just me but doesn't seem so. If you haven't watched it you're not missing much.
Go in with an open mind
Dorveille11 October 2020
It you are expecting a straight forward monster anthology show, you will be disappointed. What this is first and foremost is a drama anthology, which just happens to contain monsters. The monsters themselves are more symbolic of what is going on in the characters lives, each episode has characters confronting their own monsters. It's very well made, a few episodes work less well than others, but I thought it was an original take on the genre. Recommended.
Wish all Episodes were consistently great
jecristiano3 October 2020
Tired of this
dlkeprta29 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Was looking forward to a cool horror series about monstrous creatures indigenous to various parts of the country. Instead I am beaten over the head with talking points. The poor woman, who couldn't get an abortion, but dumps her child anyway. A family on welfare that loses access to medication because the state stops covering a drug, "It happens all the time" says the pharmacist. The WHITE pedophile doctor stepdad who takes advantage of a poor black hotel maid, solely to molest her son, because he knew she wouldn't say anything. A "1% er" oil exec that "kills the world". This crap is as subtle as a freight train. So much potential, but you blew it Hulu. SMDH.
Either you'll love it or you'll hate it
aamick-278403 October 2020
If you're looking for jump scares and a gore fest, this is not it. If you like psychological horrors/thrillers with a sprinkle of supernatural, well then you're in the right place. This show is more about the monsters inside of us as humans and less about the supernatural, mostly using them as a metaphor (at least that's what I took from some episodes). As an anthology series, there will inevitably be some episodes that fall flat. Like black mirror, it's a lot of commentary on current situations/issues, and like black mirror, some episodes are just better than others. I personally really enjoyed the series and watched it all in one day. My least favorite episodes were 4 and 8, with the best being 5,6, and 7.
The real monster is this show.
christian-flor5 October 2020
I'm not sure if the moral here is supposed to be that people are the real monsters or that the mentally ill are? Some people are burdens, and that either makes them mosters or turn the people around them into monsters. In any case, this show blows. These monsters are neither entertaining or scary. They are not even weird or original, these are bleak depressing monsters.
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