Reviews: Colossal (2016) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Genres: Thriller, Drama, Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy, Comedy
Subgenres:
This in-depth review of Colossal (2016) explores its story, characters, and scares in detail, offering insights for every horror fan.
Colossal (2016) Movie Review – When Inner Demons Become City-Crushing Monsters
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Colossal (2016) delivers a genre-bending blend of sci-fi, dark comedy, and personal drama. The film follows Gloria, a woman whose life is spiraling due to poor choices and substance problems. After getting kicked out of her boyfriend’s apartment, she returns to her hometown in hopes of resetting her life. However, things take a bizarre turn when she discovers a strange connection between herself and a monstrous creature that appears in Seoul, mimicking her movements.
The film uses its monster-movie shell to tell a deeper story about addiction, trauma, toxic relationships, and personal responsibility. Gloria’s emotional instability and inner chaos are mirrored through the destructive force of the kaiju. As her emotional state shifts, so does the monster’s behavior, making this not just a metaphorical journey but a literal one, too.
Gloria’s development is one of gradual self-awareness. Her flaws are front and center—self-destruction, lack of direction, emotional dependency—but the script lets her grow through confrontation, pain, and ultimately, redemption. The monster isn’t just destroying Seoul—it’s an echo of the damage she’s caused to herself and those around her.
Acting and Cinematography
Anne Hathaway brings surprising vulnerability and grounded charisma to Gloria. Her performance balances humor, sadness, and determination in a way that keeps the audience emotionally invested. As Gloria becomes more self-aware, Hathaway’s performance evolves to reflect her transformation without becoming overly sentimental.
Jason Sudeikis also delivers a standout performance as Oscar, an old friend whose charming surface conceals a deeply manipulative side. As the story unfolds, Oscar reveals a darker nature, transforming into an antagonist in one of the film’s most disturbing twists.
Visually, Colossal is subtle yet effective. The scenes of Seoul under attack are handled with just enough special effects to sell the scale without distracting from the emotional core. Cinematography contrasts small-town isolation with global destruction, reinforcing how personal issues can feel (and be) catastrophic.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Director Nacho Vigalondo doesn’t follow traditional rules. His approach allows metaphors to breathe without beating the audience over the head. The story moves between quirky and dark, with unexpected tonal shifts that sometimes feel jarring, but ultimately serve the film’s layered meaning.
The strength lies in its originality. Few films dare to be this weird, heartfelt, and personal. However, its blend of genres may alienate viewers expecting a traditional monster flick or a straightforward comedy.
Strengths:
Original concept with deep metaphorical value
Powerful lead performances
Emotional resonance beneath the absurdity
Weaknesses:
Uneven tone in certain scenes
Some viewers may not connect with the symbolic storytelling
Limited monster screen time for those expecting pure action
Final Verdict & Score (1–10, whole numbers only)
Colossal is bold, strange, and unexpectedly heartfelt. It’s a character-driven film dressed in monster movie clothing—a risk that mostly pays off. While not for everyone, those who embrace its metaphorical heart will find something memorable. Score: 6 out of 10
Who Will Enjoy It
Viewers seeking meaningful metaphors in genre films
Fans of indie-style storytelling with emotional arcs
Anyone tired of formulaic monster movies
Who Might Be Disappointed
Those expecting non-stop action and destruction
Viewers looking for a conventional sci-fi plot
Audiences not fond of dark, symbolic comedy
Most Searched FAQs About Colossal (2016)
Is Colossal based on a true story?
No, but it uses metaphorical storytelling to reflect real emotional issues like trauma, control, and self-destruction.
What is the monster’s connection to Gloria?
Gloria’s emotional state directly triggers the monster’s appearance in Seoul. Her movements are mirrored by the creature, symbolizing her unintended impact on others.
Why does Oscar become controlling?
Oscar begins as a seemingly kind friend, but gradually reveals manipulative behavior. His character represents toxic masculinity masked as kindness.
Is there more than one creature in Colossal?
Yes, a second creature appears later, controlled by Oscar. This sets up the final emotional and physical confrontation between the two leads.
Does Gloria defeat Oscar’s monster?
Yes. She removes herself from his influence and uses her power to confront and eliminate his destructive control once and for all.
Is the movie scary or funny?
The film is more of a dark drama with moments of absurdity. While it has comedic beats, its deeper messages give it emotional weight.
What does the playground represent in Colossal?
The playground is the link between Gloria and the monster’s appearance. Symbolically, it represents the place where childhood traumas and past events manifest into adult consequences.
What genre is Colossal?
Colossal blends science fiction, dark comedy, and drama with emotional themes, creating a unique genre hybrid.
Was the monster real in the movie’s universe?
Yes. The monster is visible and causes real destruction, but it’s tied to the emotional and psychological states of the characters controlling it.
Does Colossal have a deeper message?
Absolutely. It explores themes of addiction, emotional manipulation, and self-empowerment through a creative and unusual sci-fi metaphor.
Colossal (2016) Ending Explained
The film reaches its emotional and metaphorical climax when Gloria decides to break free from Oscar’s toxic influence. She realizes the only way to stop him from continuing to terrorize her and others is to take control—literally.
Gloria travels to Seoul’s physical counterpart of the playground in her hometown, knowing that being there gives her power over the monster. In one final act of self-determination, she picks up Oscar’s monster and throws it far into the sky, ending its destruction once and for all.
Afterward, she walks into a bar and is offered a drink—a nod to her earlier struggles with substance use. She pauses, reflecting on her growth, and doesn’t take the drink. This small decision marks her internal victory, just as much as the external one.
The ending closes the metaphorical loop: by confronting her demons, breaking from toxic cycles, and choosing not to fall back into old patterns, Gloria becomes her own savior.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Colossal Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 6.74/10
- IMDB: 6.2/10
- MetaCritic: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8.2/10
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