'A Monster Calls' Promo Arrives For National Face Your Fears Day

Now that we're n October, we're starting to get a look at some of the movies that will be key players in awards season. But plenty of heavy hitters won't be arriving until this winter. One of those potential contenders is A Monster Calls. Funnily enough, the film from future Jurassic World 2 helmer J.A. Bayona was slated to arrive in theaters later this month, but after a huge critical reception out of the Toronto International Film Festival, Focus Features decided it was worthy of a more prime awards season release closer to Christmas.

Now a new A Monster Calls promo has arrived in honor of National Face Your Fears Day today, showing some of the beauty this film promises with the story of a young boy, his imaginary friend, and his dying mother, played by Felicity Jones.

This movie arrives just one week after Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters, so it might have to contend with some serious box office competition. But for all those families who have already seen the latest sci-fi saga installment, this will be a nice film to see around the holidays.

Our own Angie Han caught the film at TIFF and said it was a real tearjerker. In her review, she said:

The film's refreshing honesty makes up for a lot of its less subtle manipulations. Bayona is so good at wringing tears that it becomes a bit exhausting, and much of the dialogue consists of characters simply spelling out the movie's themes. But even then, it's hard to deny his methods are effective. If you're in the mood for emotional catharsis, A Monster Calls is one of the weepiest experiences I've had at the theater this year. Bring tissues, more than you think you'll need. Bring some extra for your neighbor in case they forget. Then sit back and let the waterworks flow.

The visuals alone in the above promo (as well as the previously released trailer) are enough to get my on board the film. But this also looks like a truly touching coming of age drama, one that might pair nicely with the magnificence of Pete's Dragon from late this past summer.

A visually spectacular drama from acclaimed director Juan Antonio Bayona ("The Impossible"), based on the award-winning children's fantasy novel. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother's (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith.

Focus Features has A Monster Calls in theaters December 23.