Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Monster': A Powerful Exploration of Childhood Isolation and Rushing to Judgment.

Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest film, "Monster," explores childhood bullying, stigma, peer pressure, and homophobia through a multi-perspective Rashomon-esque prism. While the film is frustrating in many ways, its underlying melancholy and poignant depictions of the solace of friendship make it worthwhile. The film marks Kore-eda's return to a Japanese-language project for the first time since "Shoplifters" and is competing at the Cannes Film Festival.