We continue The 31 Days of Frights with The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster from 2023. Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life.
The Story
One of my favorite horror novels of all time is Frankenstein, and this is a beautiful, haunting modern adaptation. The movie, while being a modern take on the classic story, also pays respect to the source material. Even our main character has a name that is a play on Victor Frankenstein. There is a big message about how monsters are made: If you treat someone like a monster, they are going to act like one. Fans will recognize many different scenes being updated from the book. It is amazing how Mary Shelley’s work is still so relevant today.
The audience stays invested because how many of us have lost a loved one and would do anything to have them back? We see this intelligent young girl do everything she can to get out of her environment, even though a lot of those around her don’t believe in her. There is a sadness throughout the movie, but you also feel a lot of hope. There is also plenty of intensity, especially when Vicaria’s monster starts to eliminate people in the neighborhood.
The scares throughout work wonderfully, and the family dynamic is strong. Family is a big theme in this film. Vicaria and her family do what they can despite their loss and are just trying to keep it together. You become so invested in all these likable characters that when things start to go down, it is heartbreaking. Laya Deleon Hayes is one to look out for as she carries this movie perfectly. I really hope she is in more projects. The soundtrack and score are phenomenal. The movie also has an ending I loved so much. This is a movie that more people should see. It is full of hope, good scares, and great storytelling. Check it out for sure if you haven’t.
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is currently streaming on Hulu and Shudder.
Come back tomorrow for some more spooky reviews.
