Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Steve Harmon
Overview
The story of Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old honor student whose world comes crashing down around him when he is charged with felony murder.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Boy in the Mirror
I keep thinking about the way Kelvin Harrison Jr. holds his face in Monster. Not the grand gestures—though there are plenty of those, the tears, the clenched jaw, the defiant stares—but the small, almost imperceptible shifts. The way his eyes flicker when he’s being watched, the way his shoulders hunch just slightly when he’s alone, as if he’s trying to make himself smaller.
It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t announce itself; it seeps in, like a stain. And in a film that’s all about perception—about how the world sees you versus how you see yourself—those quiet moments are the ones that linger.
Anthony Mandler’s adaptation of Walter Dean Myers’ novel isn’t just a courtroom drama; it’s a hall of mirrors. Steve Harmon, the 17-year-old at its center, is on trial for felony murder, but the real trial is the one happening inside his own head. The film toggles between the sterile, fluorescent-lit confines of the courtroom and the fragmented, feverish recollections of Steve’s life before the arrest—his home, his school, his dreams of becoming a filmmaker.
The structure isn’t just a narrative device; it’s a metaphor for the way trauma fractures memory, the way the mind replays moments not as they were, but as they felt. And yet, for all its stylistic ambition, Monster often feels like it’s straining to be more than it is. The question isn’t whether it’s a good film, but whether it’s a necessary one.
Mandler, a director best known for his work in music videos (Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Jay-Z’s 4:44), brings a visual flair to Monster that’s equal parts hypnotic and distracting. The film is drenched in moody blues and sickly yellows, the kind of color grading that screams "prestige drama" before a single line of dialogue is spoken. There’s a scene early on where Steve walks through Harlem at night, the neon signs reflecting off the wet pavement like something out of a Scorsese film.
It’s gorgeous, but it’s also the kind of shot that feels like it’s trying too hard to mean something, to signal its own importance. (I’ve seen this trick before—it’s the cinematic equivalent of a teenager wearing all black to a party to prove they’re deep.) The problem isn’t the style itself; it’s that the style often overshadows the substance. When Steve’s voiceover whispers, "No one has any idea who I am," the line lands with the weight of a feather, not because it’s untrue, but because the film has already told us that a dozen times before, in a dozen different ways.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A thought-provoking but uneven courtroom drama with strong performances that struggle against a disjointed narrative."
Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s lead performance is widely praised for its intensity and emotional depth, grounding the film’s exploration of racial bias and the justice system. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, the storytelling feels fragmented, with pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters leaving some viewers frustrated despite the film’s ambitious themes.
What viewers praise
- Powerful lead performance Kelvin Harrison Jr. delivers a compelling and nuanced portrayal of a young man navigating the legal system, earning consistent praise for his emotional range.
- Thought-provoking themes The film’s examination of racial bias, systemic injustice, and moral ambiguity resonates with viewers who appreciate its social commentary.
- Strong supporting cast Jeffrey Wright and Jennifer Hudson add depth to their roles, with Wright’s courtroom presence and Hudson’s emotional scenes standing out.
Common complaints
- Disjointed storytelling The narrative jumps between perspectives and timelines, leaving some viewers confused or disengaged by the lack of cohesion.
- Pacing issues The film’s slow build and abrupt shifts in tone frustrate those expecting a tighter, more focused drama.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including those played by A$AP Rocky and John David Washington, feel underutilized or one-dimensional.
Recommended for
Courtroom drama enthusiasts Fans of social justice narratives Kelvin Harrison Jr. admirers Jeffrey Wright supporters Thought-provoking indie films
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Monster (2021): Netflix’s Gritty Drama and Its Star-Studded Journey
Monster (2021), directed by Anthony Mandler, is a legal drama that dives into the complexities of race, justice, and identity. Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for murder, the film adapts Walter Dean Myers’ acclaimed novel of the same name. latestnetflix.com's take is that with a cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, and A$AP Rocky, the project promised a raw, emotional exploration of the American legal system.But what went on behind the camera? Here’s what we know—and what remains unconfirmed.
A Star-Studded Cast, But Limited On-Set Buzz
The film’s ensemble is undeniably stacked, featuring Oscar winners (Hudson, Wright) and rising stars (Harrison Jr., Jharrel Jerome). Yet, unlike many high-profile Netflix projects, Monster hasn’t generated much behind-the-scenes gossip. No viral set photos, no leaked feuds, and no dramatic production delays have surfaced—at least not in the available evidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6LifwbeNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA-lmaz4AM8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BxukE9dARE
What is clear is the film’s tone. Trailers tease a tense, visually stylized courtroom drama, with Mandler’s music video background (he’s directed for Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jay-Z) lending a kinetic energy to the proceedings. The runtime clocks in at 98 minutes 
, suggesting a tight, no-frills narrative—perhaps a deliberate choice to keep the focus on Steve’s psychological unraveling.
The Netflix Factor: Marketing and Reception
Monster premiered on Netflix in September 2021, but its rollout was relatively quiet compared to the streamer’s usual fanfare. The official trailer dropped months before release, yet there’s little evidence of a major promotional push—no red-carpet premieres, no cast interviews going viral, and no A-list press junkets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKL6NY0n7Nk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x14uqeLz2L0
Critically, the film landed with a mixed thud. SensCritique users rated it 6.2/10 , while Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score (not yet aggregated in the snippet) likely reflects divided opinions. Some viewers praised Harrison Jr.’s performance and the film’s unflinching look at systemic bias, but others found the adaptation uneven. A YouTube review calls it "visually striking but emotionally distant," while another argues it "loses the novel’s nuance."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk2ErgbYzJw
The ending, in particular, sparked debate. A breakdown video dissects the ambiguous finale, with some fans interpreting it as a commentary on cyclical injustice, while others felt it undercut the story’s impact.
Unanswered Questions and Rumors
With so little behind-the-scenes chatter, a few mysteries linger:
- Why the low-key release? Netflix has a history of burying mid-budget dramas (see: The Irishman’s muted awards campaign), but Monster’s lack of buzz is notable given its cast. Was it a creative decision, or did the streamer lose faith in the project?
- A$AP Rocky’s role: The rapper-turned-actor plays William King, a fellow inmate. His casting was announced early, but there’s no evidence of on-set chemistry stories or social media posts from the shoot. Did he bring a different energy to the film, or was his part smaller than expected?
- The novel’s legacy: Walter Dean Myers’ book is a YA staple, often taught in schools. Did the adaptation face pressure to stay faithful to the source material, or was there creative friction over changes? The evidence doesn’t say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUNzFySzoRU
One oddball detail: A YouTube video from The Hollywood Reporter features Cooper Koch (star of Monsters, a different 2021 film) criticizing Netflix’s Menendez docuseries—irrelevant to Monster, but a reminder of how easily titles get conflated in search results.
The Verdict: A Film Worth Remembering, But Not Discussing
Monster (2021) is a case study in how even star power and timely themes can’t guarantee buzz. The film’s strengths—its performances, its visual style—are evident, but without behind-the-scenes drama or a major marketing push, it’s faded into Netflix’s vast library. For fans of Kelvin Harrison Jr. or courtroom dramas, it’s worth a watch. For everyone else, it’s a footnote in 2021’s release slate.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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