Hal Whitlock

Loved this movie! ***Spoiler Alert*** If you don’t want the movie ruined, then read no further. There was a great deal of abuse symbolism interwoven into the movie. One: The parents talk to her about controlling the anger and rage that will attract “the monster.” Most children who are victims of abuse feel responsible for their own abuse. If they can control the things that will “anger” the monster, then the monster will not appear. The guilt is transferred to the victim and not “the monster.” Also, the girl repressed memories of her lashing out in a rage that ultimately claimed her brothers life. In real life we would call that “acting out” or living what you have learned. The wall symbolizes the desire for the abusers to keep the abused isolated from the outside world...in other words, keep the monster hidden. As the movie begins the little girl is alone...isolated; most children who are abused feel emotionally and socially isolated. They feel trapped and most likely will make up Fantasy worlds/lives that they transport themselves to in order to escape the reality of what is truly going on. But the real trigger is at the end when the little girl escapes and is walking around the neighborhood. Houses are crumbling down wherever she walks. There is an eerie shadow that she emits that is not her own. Where this shadow touches is destroyed. Abused children often grow up to be abusers themselves. Ironically, the epidemic that the movie portrays as the reason for the “monster” only infects children. Abuse is an epidemic. It is a disease and it destroys homes exponentially. I hope this makes sense, but watch it again with these things in mind and you will see how brilliant this movie is!