Monsterland (2009)

In the spellbinding documentary, Monsterland, we embark on a riveting journey through time, traversing the globe to delve into the fascinating world of monsters. From the birth of the latex monster in postwar Japan's ruins to the chilling extraterrestrials and ruthless killers that haunted 1980s American cinema screens, we explore the evolution of these grotesque creatures, culminating in the rise of King Kong's digital progeny amidst the horrors of the 21st century. Directed by horror aficionado and filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit, this visual expedition reveals a rich spectrum of monsters, each reflecting our deepest fears and yearnings. Buttgereit masterfully brings together a venerable assembly of monster-makers, including Gremlins creator Joe Dante, the analytical John Carpenter, innovative designers like H.R. Giger and Joe Coleman, special effects maestro Gregory Nicotero, makeup artist Rick Baker, and the man behind Godzilla, Kenpachiro Satsuma. They each offer intimate insights into their lives and their unique work with these creatures that embody our darkest nightmares, weaving a narrative of shared passion and dedication. Monsterland transports us to the epicenters of monster culture: the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, a behemoth organism birthing mechanical beasts; the sun-kissed city of Los Angeles, where knife-wielding maniacs pervade the nocturnal streets; and the towering skyscrapers of New York, a cityscape that has been sculpted, both in fiction and reality, into a dystopian panorama. This documentary is an amalgamation of impressions from these cities, merging with evocative imagery from classic and contemporary monster films, the eerie, surreal illustrations of monster designers, glimpses into the macabre workshops of special effects studios, and snapshots of ardent fans donned in outlandish monster attire. Monsterland is a testament to the enduring allure of these monstrous apparitions, a cinematic exploration of our collective fascination with the terrifying, the grotesque, and the unknown.

Monsterland is a documentary movie featuring H. R. Giger and directed by Jörg Buttgereit.

Monsterland is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to rent Monsterland on Amazon Video.