“Monolith” follows a disgraced journalist who is investigating a strange conspiracy theory for her podcast.
“Monolith” embraces a minimalistic approach. The film unfolds almost entirely within a single location and centers on one on-screen performer. There is not always much happening visually, as the story often relies on audio to guide the narrative forward. Despite this restrained style, it manages to draw viewers in quickly through its atmosphere and mystery.
Traditional filmmaking often emphasizes visuals as the primary storytelling tool, but “Monolith” leans heavily on its audio. While the cinematography remains polished and carefully composed, the film’s real intrigue comes from the stories shared through phone interviews. Each conversation gradually expands the film’s central mystery, creating a sense that something much larger may be unfolding. The structure works well for much of the runtime, allowing the narrative to slowly build tension through dialogue and speculation rather than constant visual action.
Lily Sullivan leads the film as the character credited simply as “The Interviewer.” With most of the narrative resting entirely on her shoulders, Sullivan carries the project with an emotionally varied performance.
Because she is essentially the only character consistently seen on screen, her reactions and expressions become vital to maintaining the film’s momentum. Sullivan handles that responsibility effectively, delivering a performance that keeps the audience invested even during the quieter moments.
The story itself is undeniably strange, presenting a mystery that could have unfolded in many different ways. For much of its runtime, “Monolith” hints at the possibility of a massive conspiracy, gradually building the expectation that the story may expand beyond its intimate setting. Instead, the final act pulls the scale back considerably. While the smaller focus aligns with the film’s minimalist style, it can feel somewhat underwhelming after the ambitious ideas introduced earlier.
“Monolith” begins with intriguing concepts and a strong sense of mystery but struggles to fully deliver on the scope it initially suggests. The film remains engaging thanks to its unique structure and Sullivan’s performance, yet the restrained ending shows that the story could have explored far more than it ultimately reveals.
Rating: 3 out of 5
