Clear your schedule, book nerds, because the YA masterpiece Monster is now a star-studded film available to stream on Netflix!
Monster is the multi-award-winning, bestselling, beloved novel by literary icon Walter Dean Myers, that follows Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial. The novel’s format is groundbreaking—presented as a screenplay of Steve’s own imagination, as well as through journal entries. Monster is a story about how one single decision can change our whole lives.
Monster: The Movie
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Update: We have a trailer!
The Cast & Crew
The film was directed by Anthony Mandler who’s worked on music videos with the likes of Rihanna, Jay-Z and Beyoncé and made his feature film directorial debut with Monster. Executive producers include John Legend, Jeffrey Wright, and Nasir “Nas” Jones, with Tonik Productions, Get Lifted Film Company, Bron Studios and Charlevoix Entertainment producing the film. But that’s not all—the cast of actors and actresses bringing this film to life is TRULY star-studded!
Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays Steve Harmon – the teen at the center of the story who stands trial for acting as a lookout during a Harlem bodega robbery where one person is murdered.
Jennifer Hudson plays Mrs. Harmon – Steve’s mom who stands by her son throughout his trial.
Jeffrey Wright plays Mr. Harmon – Steve’s father who tries to help both his son and his family through this ordeal.
John David Washington plays Richard “Bobo” Evans – one of the men accused of the robbery & murder
Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers plays William King – an acquaintance of Steve’s from his neighborhood, also accused of the robbery & murder.
Jharrel Jerome plays Osvaldo Cruz – another acquaintance from Steve’s neighborhood who is also implicated in the robbery & murder.
Jennifer Ehle plays Katherine O’Brien – Steve’s attorney
Tim Blake Nelson plays Leroy Sawicki – Steve’s film teacher
Nasir “Nas” Jones plays Raymond “Sunset” Green – an inmate at the prison where Steve is incarcerated throughout his trial.
Behind the Scenes at Sundance!
One of our Team Epic Reads members got the very special opportunity to attend the Sundance premiere of the film way back in 2018, and to hear from some of the amazing cast & crew behind bringing this legendary novel to life! Check out coverage of the premiere and a panel with the cast & crew here!
About Monster
This New York Times bestselling novel from acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial.
Presented as a screenplay of Steve’s own imagination, and peppered with journal entries, the book shows how one single decision can change our whole lives.
Monster is a multi-award-winning, provocative coming-of-age story that was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist.
Monster is now a major motion picture called All Rise and starring Jennifer Hudson, Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Nas, and A$AP Rocky.
The late Walter Dean Myers was a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, who was known for his commitment to realistically depicting kids from his hometown of Harlem.
Let us know all your thoughts about this epic adaptation in the comments below!