In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by giant, mutated creatures, most movies would focus on survival, guns, and grim heroism. Love and Monsters (2020), however, chooses a different path — one filled with humor, heart, and surprisingly tender coming-of-age storytelling. Directed by Michael Matthews and starring Dylan O’Brien, the film has quietly become one of Netflix’s most beloved hidden gems, earning a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and a growing fanbase that calls it “the feel-good apocalypse movie we didn’t know we needed.”

The story follows Joel Dawson (O’Brien), a 20-something survivor who has spent seven years hiding underground in a bunker colony after a mysterious event wiped out most of humanity and turned animals into giant, deadly monsters. Joel is sweet, awkward, and deeply in love with his high-school girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who now lives in another settlement hundreds of miles away. When he hears she’s in danger, Joel decides to leave the safety of the bunker and trek across the monster-infested surface to find her — armed with little more than optimism, a makeshift map, and zero survival skills.

What makes Love and Monsters so refreshing is its refusal to take itself too seriously. O’Brien brings his signature boyish charm and comedic timing (familiar from Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner) to Joel, turning every monster encounter into a mix of slapstick terror and genuine panic. The film leans heavily on humor — Joel’s constant inner monologue, his failed attempts at toughness, and his unlikely friendship with a loyal dog named Boy — without ever undermining the stakes. The monsters themselves are wonderfully designed: giant, colorful, grotesque, yet strangely endearing at times, giving the film a playful, almost cartoonish energy that sets it apart from darker post-apocalyptic fare.

The heart of the movie lies in Joel’s emotional journey. At the beginning, he’s terrified of the world outside, clinging to the memory of Aimee as his only reason to keep going. As he travels, he meets other survivors — including the tough but kind Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt) and the eccentric rover Clyde (Michael Rooker) — and slowly learns to stand on his own. The film is ultimately about growing up, finding courage, and realizing that love (both romantic and platonic) is worth risking everything for. O’Brien’s performance is quietly powerful; he makes Joel’s transformation from scared boy to brave man feel earned and relatable.

Visually, Love and Monsters is a treat. Shot in Australia, the film’s lush, overgrown landscapes and inventive creature designs create a world that feels both dangerous and strangely beautiful. The practical effects and CGI blend seamlessly, and the color palette — bright greens, vivid monster hues — gives the movie a unique, almost whimsical look that contrasts perfectly with the grim premise.

Critics and audiences alike have embraced it. “A refreshing, funny, and surprisingly touching take on the post-apocalypse,” wrote The New York Times. Fans on social media call it “the perfect comfort watch with monsters” and “the rom-com the end of the world deserves.”

In a genre often dominated by despair, Love and Monsters chooses hope, humor, and humanity. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in a monster movie — and one of the most charming surprises of recent years.

Stream it on Netflix. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll root for Joel every step of the way.