Despite its intriguing premise and initial promise, "Monolith" ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging cinematic experience. The film stars Lily Sullivan as a disgraced journalist attempting to redeem her career by investigating a mysterious object, the titular "monolith."

While the film begins with a promising setup, it quickly devolves into a predictable series of tropes and clichés. The character development of Lily Sullivan's journalist is superficial and lacks depth, making it difficult for viewers to truly empathize with her struggles. As she dives into the world of conspiracies and questionable evidence, her motivations and ethical considerations remain disappointingly unexplored.

The pacing of "Monolith" is another area where the film falters. The build-up to the central mystery surrounding the black brick is drawn out and uninspired, while the climax of the story feels rushed and unsatisfying. Furthermore, the film's overreliance on clichéd conspiracy theories detracts from the potential novelty of its central premise. Instead of delving into the possible implications and ramifications of the black bricks, "Monolith" focuses on sensationalism, ultimately undermining the story's credibility.

Visually, the film offers some striking shots and engaging cinematography, but these moments are not enough to save it from its flawed narrative. The editing and pacing also contribute to the film's disjointed feel, making it difficult for the audience to become fully immersed in the story.

The off-screen supporting cast, while talented, is given little to work with in terms of character development or meaningful dialogue. The film's inability to flesh out its secondary characters leaves the audience with a shallow understanding of the world in which the story unfolds.

"Monolith" squanders a compelling premise with weak character development, disjointed pacing, and an overemphasis on conspiracy theory clichés. While there are moments of visual brilliance and Lily Sullivan's performance is commendable, the film ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying and cohesive narrative. Fans of the thriller genre may find some entertainment value in "Monolith," but the film will likely leave most viewers wanting more substance and depth.

I saw Monolith at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival and loved it! It is a brilliant low-budget Australian sci-fi thriller that Lucy Campbell wrote and Matt Vesely directed. Lily Sullivan plays a disgraced journalist in the movie who looks into the mysterious "monolith" in an effort to salvage her career. While the film's historical and cultural context is not explicitly stated, it is set in a world where podcasts are a popular medium for investigative journalism, so it is reasonable to assume it is present-day. The film's theme is centred around the idea of truth and the lengths people will go to uncover it. The tone of the film is dark and suspenseful, with a creeping sense of dread that builds throughout the story.

Lily Sullivan, who is the only person on screen for the entire movie, delivers a standout performance as the journalist, bringing depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. The supporting cast, which is entirely voice-acting, is also strong, with each actor bringing a unique energy to their respective roles. With a distinct vision for the movie's tone and pacing, Matt Vesely directs with assurance and confidence. The haunting and atmospheric score by Benjamin Speed perfectly complements the movie's dark and suspenseful tone. Michael Tessari's cinematography is outstanding, especially in light of the movie's tight budget. The use of colour and lighting is particularly effective in creating a sense of unease and tension.

Monolith's use of symbolism is subtle but effective, with the monolith itself serving as a powerful metaphor for the truth that the journalist is seeking. The production design is impressive, with the film's restricted budget being used creatively to create a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The special effects are also impressive, especially, again, considering the film's low budget. The editing is precise and powerful, with every scene clearly contributing to the story's progression. The pace of the film is slow and deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually over the course of the story. The dialogue is well-written, with each character's voice feeling distinct and authentic.

Monolith is a low-budget sci-fi thriller that delivers a high-impact story. While the film's budget limitations are occasionally apparent, the film's strong performances, confident direction, and effective use of symbolism and atmosphere more than make up for any shortcomings. I would highly recommend Monolith to fans of sci-fi and suspenseful thrillers.

Can I honestly urge you to put aside an hour and a half of your life to watch this? No, I don't think so. There's nothing wrong with this film. I am old, and remember radio plays (honest, they were entertaining, and tested one's imagination) and this feels like one of those. There's nothing 'cinematic' about it. It has one idea, and does it quite well. Should you be stuck inside on a rainy day and you've done all your chores, go ahead. You won't regret it. But going for a walk, tidying your house, finishing those jobs are more important.

Well acted, well presented, nicely structured. A good ending (if you've been paying attention to the hints).