A new trailer for A Monster Calls dropped, and it features more tree-monster action, more Liam Neeson growling, and more backstory for the upcoming fantasy drama. It even features a brief introduction from Neeson himself, who is “very happy to share” a preview of the movie. It’s hard not to enjoy a trailer when Liam Neeson is telling you to enjoy it.
J.A. Bayona directed the film from a script by Patrick Ness, who also wrote the children’s novel it’s based on. This trailer provides a more intimate look of the life of the film’s protagonist: 12-year-old Connor, whose mother (Felicity Jones) is terminally ill. On top of his tumultuous home life, Connor is also bullied by his classmates, who are the true monsters, pouring orange juice on his rather impressive art. He escapes through his drawings, which are creepy as hell, but hey, you do you, kid. As Connor escapes into his imagination in order to cope with the harsh realities of his life, those creepy drawings eventually come to life as a creepy fantastical world populated by a brambly and rambling tree monster. Neeson voices the monster, who helps Connor deal with his issues—sometimes by encouraging him to break shit. (He never said he was a role model.)
Sigourney Weaver also makes an appearance in the trailer as Connor’s cold and brusque grandmother, who definitely does not have time for this tree monster mess. Connor’s life undoubtedly sucks, but having a giant tree who sounds like Liam Neeson carry you from point A to point B is a pipe dream for any sensible person. The trailer has a highly dark and stylized look, giving a strong sense of Bayona’s direction style.
A Monster Calls premieres on October 21, 2016.