Chilean actress Paulina Garcia, renowned for her award-winning performance in Sebastian Lelio’s “Gloria,” is set to star in Neto Villalobos’ upcoming thriller “Love is the Monster.” This marks Villalobos’ first foray into the thriller genre, following his successful comedies “Helmet Heads” and “All About the Feathers.”
In “Love is the Monster,” Garcia portrays a seventy-year-old grandmother who is grappling with the end of her life. Determined to forge a closer bond with her six-year-old granddaughter, she is faced with an unexpected threat that jeopardizes everything she holds dear. The film explores the lengths to which love can drive a person, especially in a world where both tenderness and violence coexist.
Villalobos shared, “‘Love is the Monster’ is a deeply personal project inspired by my mother, old age, and the fears associated with it. Set in a tropical dystopia, the film delves into the complexities of familial love and the sacrifices it may entail.” The production is a collaboration between Villalobos’ La Sucia Centroamericana and Jimena Hospina of Candu Films in Peru.
Joining the project, Garcia expressed her enthusiasm for working with Villalobos, praising the captivating and intense nature of the script. She described the film as a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for an actress.
Described as a gripping thriller that delves into the extremes people will go for love, “Love is the Monster” also addresses societal biases and limitations imposed on aging individuals, particularly women. The film is set to start filming on July 20 for a month, combining both professional and non-professional talent.
Costa Rican-Peruvian cinematographer Nicolas Wong, known for his work on acclaimed films like “La Llorona” and “Helmet Heads,” will lens the thriller in Golfito and Corredores in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region. The film will utilize the region’s historic banana plantation buildings and stunning natural landscapes to enhance the storytelling.
“Love is the Monster” has already generated buzz at various film festivals and industry events, receiving support from institutions like Ibermedia, DAFO (Peru), and El Fauno (Costa Rica). With its unique narrative and talented cast and crew, the film promises to be a compelling exploration of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of aging in a tumultuous world.
