Love is the Monster: A Chilling Dystopian Thriller Premieres

Costa Rican director Neto Villalobos Brenes's new film, "Love Is the Monster" (Amor es el Monstruo), will have its world premiere in the Toronto International Film Festival's (TIFF) Centerpiece strand on September 15. This chilling dystopian thriller, filmed in Costa Rica's South Pacific region, stars Paulina García as a grandmother deeply devoted to her six-year-old granddaughter.

After her daughter cuts off contact, the grandmother must regain her granddaughter's trust. Tragedy strikes when the girl is kidnapped for ransom, forcing the grandmother into an unimaginable situation. The film, which also features Natalia Regidor, Gloriana Vargas, and Ericka Reikendorf, explores the limits of love, loyalty, and survival.

Villalobos Brenes drew inspiration for the dark, genre-infused film from the loss of his mother and the strength she found in her granddaughter. He poses the central question: "how far would you go to protect the person you love most?" The film also examines themes of age and class inequality.

Paulina García, acclaimed for her role in "Gloria," noted that love's true limits are revealed under duress, especially when a child's safety is at stake. Bendita Film Sales is handling world sales for the film, written by Villalobos Brenes and Diego van der Laat.