"Love Is the Monster" Thrills with Notable Stars Amid Finnish Mystique
"Love Is the Monster," a tantalizing new thriller by filmmaker Alex Noyer, is currently in production in Canada. The film features Madeline Zima, celebrated for her work in "Californication," and Leonardo Nam, known for his role in "Westworld". The movie, written by Noyer, Hannu Aukia, and Blair Bathory, has secured a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement and promises to gather other notable stars in its midst, including Moe Jeudy-Lamour of "Ted Lasso," Kimberly-Sue Murray from "Trader," Kristina Tonteri-Young, Milla Puolakanaho, Tatu Sinisalo, and Sheila Mccarthy.
The movie's riveting plot sets a couple, Ana (Zima) and Justin (Nam), on a transformative journey when their relationship is tested by infidelity. The duo embarks on a couples retreat in Finland under the intriguing glare of the summer's midnight sun. They mingle with couples from various parts of the world, all aiming to benefit from the life-altering teachings of shaman and healer, Tiina, whose character draws inspiration from Lempo, the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility. However, the serene setting soon takes on an eerie twist…
Noyer's second feature film, following the success of his horror-thriller "Sound of Violence," used the mythology of his native Finland as its central theme. The film was embraced positively during its world premiere at SXSW in 2021. Alongside Noyer, Laurence Gendron and Hannu Aukia serve as the film's producers. In terms of distribution rights, XYZ Films is handling North American rights and aims to kickstart sales at TIFF.
Madeline Zima, widely recognized for starring alongside David Duchovny in Showtime's Californication, is also known for her performances in Doom Patrol, Hacks and In Treatment, as well as in several independent features. She awaits her upcoming sci-fi thriller "Subservience," where she stars opposite Megan Fox.
Leonardo Nam, spotted as a park employee Felix Lutz in HBO's Westworld, has also gained fame with roles in popular series like Star Trek: Lower Decks and Maggie. Besides his appearance in Marvel’s "Werewolf by Night," Nam is gearing up for Ava DuVernay’s "Origin," scheduled to make its debut in Venice next month.
With the stage set, now it’s time to draw back the curtains and peek behind the scenes of this story.
"Love is the Monster" - quite the intriguing title, isn't it? It’s almost as if Noyer and team decided to spice things up for the audience, starting from the name itself. It seems they believe in catching more flies with honey than vinegar, or in this case, more movie-goers with mystery than mundanity.
Given Noyer’s background, it’s no surprise to see Finland’s mythology playing a leading role in the film. And honestly, we love this blend of contemporary relationship psychology and ancient mystical wisdom. It's almost like Noyer is reinventing therapy for the Netflix era: which makes it sound more agreeable to us modern folks.
Choosing Zima and Nam to lead the movie seems to be another masterstroke. It's almost like a bit of seasoning in this brewing pot of a thriller. Zima brings the diverse experience of Californication, a mix of comedy and drama, while Nam is known for exploring the eerie depths of Westworld. This combo, undoubtedly, will provide the experiential contrast required for this plot.
Now, on to the retreat in Finland-who here wishes they were caught rocking the boat, just to attend this retreat? Well, minus the “sinister twist” part. Before you apply for a Finnish visa, remember-it's fiction, folks!
XiF ended this plot on a cliffhanger, though. An eerie twist presents itself in an idyllic scenario. It’s like showing an exquisitely wrapped gift box with an ominous warning note. Classic Noyer, always leaving audiences teetering on the edge of their seats. But would you really have it any other way?
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the film's release. Because ready or not, love is about to get monstrously thrilling!
