There a lot of films about cancer, because it's a topic that many people relate to, providing a lot of dramatic and emotional potential. However, there are only so many times you can rehash the same basic storyline before it feels stale. Fortunately, A Monster Calls avoids that. Adapted from the fantastic book by Patrick Ness (based on an idea by Siobhan Dowd), this film tackles terminal illness from a refreshingly original angle. A Monster Calls follows Conor (Lewis MacDougall) struggling to come to terms with his mum's (Felicity Jones) terminal cancer. On a dramatic level, the film explores how this affects Conor's life well, empathetically showing the effect it has on everyday activities and his relationships. Notably, it focuses on Conor's attempt to reconnect with his estranged father (Toby Kebbell) and the complex impact on Conor's difficult relationship with his Grandma (Sigourney Weaver). Whilst all of this is done very well, it's not anything th...