Costa Rican writer-director Neto Villalobos Brenes has completed his latest film, a dystopian thriller titled “Love Is the Monster.” The project will have its world premiere in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Centerpiece strand on Sept. 15. The film marks a significant departure for Villalobos Brenes, who previously directed comedies including “All About the Feathers” and “Helmet Heads.” This represents his third feature to debut at the Toronto festival.
The narrative centers on a grandmother, portrayed by Chilean actress Paulina García, navigating family turmoil and moral complexity. After her daughter severs contact, the grandmother works to rebuild trust with her six-year-old granddaughter. The situation escalates when the child is abducted and held for ransom, forcing the grandmother to confront difficult decisions about survival, loyalty, and the lengths she will go to protect her loved ones. The film explores themes of family bonds, love, aging, and class inequality within a darkly toned framework.
García, known for her role in “Gloria” for which she won the Silver Bear for best actress at the Berlin International Film Festival, reflected on the material’s emotional core. The ensemble cast includes Natalia Regidor, Gloriana Vargas, and Ericka Reikendorf. The cinematography was handled by Nicolás Wong Díaz, with editing by Yibrán Asuad and Villalobos Brenes. The screenplay was written by Villalobos Brenes and Diego van der Laat.
Villalobos Brenes attributed the film’s thematic focus to personal experience, having lost his mother years prior. He described how his mother found strength through her relationship with her granddaughter during difficult times, which inspired the central question driving the narrative. Bendita Film Sales is managing international distribution for the project, which was filmed in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region.
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