LOVE IS THE MONSTER
A film by Neto Villalobos Brenes
In the heart of a tropical dystopia, a grandmother tries to make the most of the time she has left with her granddaughter. But a series of unforeseen events forces her to make choices she never imagined having to make.
Status: Completed
Year: 2026
Genre: Tropical Dystopian Thriller
Country: Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Chile, Mexico
Language: Spanish
Available subtitles: English
Runtime: 95 minutes
Original title: Amor es el monstruo
NETO VILLALOBOS BRENES
Neto Villalobos is a Costa Rican filmmaker. He studied Sociology at the University of Costa Rica before pursuing Film Directing at the Centre d’Estudis Cinematogràfics de Catalunya (CECC) in Barcelona.
His debut feature, All About Feathers (2013), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and subsequently screened at festivals including San Sebastián, BAFICI, Rotterdam, Miami, and Toulouse. His second feature, Helmet Heads (2018), also premiered at TIFF. Throughout his career, Villalobos has participated in international programs including the Cannes Cinéfondation Résidence, Berlinale Talents, the Locarno Filmmakers Academy, Rotterdam Lab, and Gabriel García Márquez’s How to Tell a Story workshop.
Love is the Monster is his third feature film and his first venture into the thriller genre.
FILMOGRAPHY
2026 Love is the Monster
2022 Love is the Monster (short)
2018 Helmet Heads (Cascos indomables)
2017 El gran Líbano (short)
2013 All About Feathers
CAST
Paulina García
Natalia Regidor
Gloriana Vargas
Ericka Reinkendorf
CREW
Director: Neto Villalobos Brenes
Screenplay: Neto Villalobos Brenes, Diego van der Laat
Cinematography: Nicolás Wong Díaz
Editing: Yibrán Asuad, Neto Villalobos Brenes
Composer: Pablo Rojas Carballo
Sound: José Rommel Tuñón Torres
Producers : Ana Lucía Arias, Jimena Hospina, Felipe Zúñiga, Neto Villalobos
Co-producers: Isabella Gálvez, Clara Larraín, Carlos Rossini
Production Companies: La Sucia Centroamericana Producciones, Cine Infinito, Expansiva Cine, Clara Films, Avalancha Studio
2026
Toronto International Film Festival | Centrepiece
Chicago International Film Festival | Departures
Philadelphia Film Festival | World View
São Paulo IFF | International Perspective
Morelia Film Festival
Cairo IFF | International Competition
Harrowing, gorgeously shot, and carried by a devastating lead performance.
Sara Clements, Next Best Picture
A compelling exploration of what people do for the ones they love. Paulina García is a tour-de-force performer.
Abe Friedtanzar, AwardsBuzz
An engaging and captivating watch. Paulina García’s performance is amazing.
TD Rideout, The Mind Reels