Monster Next Door (2024)

The romantic comedy of two neighbors in conflict

Who doesn't like a romantic comedy, even knowing its dependence on many clichés and narrative schemes already seen? Raise your hand if you don't enjoy the kissing scenes in the rain, the happy endings, the music that surrounds the lovers at full volume, the typical corniness and such unrealistic situations, despite knowing in advance that they are sufficiently illusory. Who hasn't dreamed of a love story larger than life itself?
Can you guarantee that you would reject your "prince charming" singing to you in front of the school and making a fool of yourself for you, and surprising you with a guitar (or drums) playing your favorite song? Who doesn't like to see a series of this genre capable of offering us a ray of hope, a good dose of faith in the healing power of love and the guarantee of a "happily ever after"?
'Monster Next Door' is the Thai romantic comedy series that frames a love story with university overtones, and that draws attention not only for its warmth and humor, but also for its ability to immerse the viewer in a narrative that combines relationship between neighbors, the value of friendship, family, love for pets and the unexpected turns of love.
Based on the novel "Godzilla Next Door" (พี่เขาบุกโลกของผม) by Jiwinil, 'Monster Next Door' tells the story of Diew, a reserved and introverted first-year college student who likes to live in his ultra world private, hiding in his apartment. His best friends are a turtle named Khun Shy and his classmate Game.
But what Diew didn't count on is that his dorm life would include his neighbor, God, an attractive, kind, and outgoing senior from another college, who with his sweet lips has just moved into the next room.
Night after night, God and his friends either keep him from going to bed at his usual time or drag him out of bed with their loud parties. However, when he begins to interact with his neighbor, who is separated by a wall the width of a cigarette paper, Diew's perfect and harmonious world is turned upside down. They both fall in love: they stumble upon the shyness and wonder of first love.
And while the meet-cute, that is, when the two characters meet by chance in an adorable way in the first scenes and that becomes the beginning of their love story, serendipity does not stop uniting them in cafes, libraries and other spaces of the university or in their respective bedrooms, although there is a wall in between and without one having seen the other's face.
The supporting roles, played by Krismon Thanawat Sutthijaroen, Kade Tanapon Hathaidachadusadee, Ole Thanakorn Sangwan, Proud Urucha Sirichaiwongsakul, Pik Supawit Vichitrananda, Mhing Thatsaphon Ruengkitrattanakun, among others, bring to the story a rich tapestry of characters that enrich the main plot. Through these characters, the series manages to convey its light humor, emotional drama and, ultimately, a feeling of satisfaction and warmth to the viewer.
When a comedy of this type starts you know that at most it will entertain you. Although that will not be enough guarantee for you to stay since at any moment something may arise that will make you get up from the couch, caring very little about the story they were trying to tell us. However, in 'Monster Next Door' there is a factor that makes you want to continue in front of the screen until the final closing; and that detail for which you spend minutes after minutes and jump from one chapter to the next is none other than seeing its two protagonists.
That is to say, a key factor of the series is the performance of Big Thanakorn Kuljarassombat, an actor who plays God, who with his mix of attractiveness, generosity, humor and passion for playing music on the drums, manages to capture the essence of the romantic journey and transformation of his character. The relationship between him and Diew, played by Park Anantadej Sodsee, stands out for the depth of feelings they develop, creating a bond that captivates the audience.
Here Big Thanakorn Kuljarassombat proves himself again as an actor, after his debut in 2015 in the film 'Love Love You' and BL series such as 'Enchantment', 'Gen Y', 'My Mate Match', 'Big Dragon', among others.
What power of protagonism!, without ignoring that he was the star in his role as Ruy in 'My Mate Match', or as Suea in 'Love Songs Love Series X Years After: Our Promise… My Friend'. If anyone thinks that being a protagonist was trivial, this series proves them wrong. Big has been there in many series that we have all enjoyed, but always as the disposable character, as the third wheel, as the intruder who arrives to bother the other person and endanger the romance of the protagonist couple, so we have discarded and not taken into account. How lucky for us to be able to see him taking on this role!
On the other hand, it is the second acting job in front of the cameras that we see of Park Anantadej Sodseea, after getting into the shoes of Wayo, one of the leading characters in '2 Moons: The Ambassador'.
Perhaps the strongest point of the series is the way it is told. It is also notable how the characters are framed and described.
In this sense, the cosmopolitan university seems like a liberal queer space with some of its professors, librarians and food stall vendors presumably belonging to the LGBT+ community, and where secondary characters also support their partner establishing a romantic relationship with another person of their same gender, while others look for a partner of their own sex, since an interest is expressed among several friends of Diew and Good, but I will not say more to avoid spoilers.
As in any romantic comedy, 'Monster Next Door' makes one thing lead to another and both protagonists fall at the feet of the god Eros. Through a simple, direct premise, and a staging without much complexity, everything very effective, in my opinion, the series will make us laugh, entertain and also reflect.
Being in settings as close as the same university or with a wall in the middle, there are several opportunities for both boys to meet. However, God will respect Diew's request not to meet in person until he considers he is ready to look each other in the eyes. In this way, a beautiful friendly and romantic relationship is forged.
The series presents the usual topics of the romantic genre, giving them a different approach by having the protagonists separated by a thin wall. An easy and direct premise that, however, serves as a starting point for endless controversies that the main characters face in order to live together, while love grows between the two.
In the series, the result in the field of direction, by Kungfu Nitivat Cholvanichsiri, works thanks to that theatrical tone that is constantly represented through the simple interaction of its protagonists and the basic environments.
In summary, 'Monster Next Door' is emerging as an ideal option for those looking for a happy, tender and moving story that celebrates love and the beauty of simplicity. Although the plot does not escape certain clichés of the genre, this characteristic does not detract from its charm, but rather underlines the ability of its creators to tell universal stories with a new approach.
'Monster Next Door' is located within the large branch of love comedies for young people produced around the world, especially Hollywood, Bollywood, television in European and Latin American nations, and other latitudes. Its fun touches and carefree plot plus the use of a pleasant and pleasant rhythm manage to make the viewer watch the series without expecting anything other than what it suggests.
I am not going to say that it is a major work of television and if I analyze the different fields there is nothing that stands out. Soundtrack, script and actors simply acceptable.
However, it is a captivating story, perhaps it is the way it is told to us or the values ​​they present to us such as love, friendship, family and tenderness.
It made me smile and daydream from start to finish in the first three episodes aired and on which I based this review, and if that's not the goal of romantic comedies, then nothing is.

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