Before becoming the new final girl of the “Evil Dead” franchise, Lily Sullivan starred in “Monolith,” a complex sci-fi film unlike any you’ve seen before. Its unique concept has propelled it to become one of the most-watched movies on Max worldwide, despite being released in 2022.
The characteristic that sets it apart from other productions of its kind is that the only character present on screen is Sullivan’s. Although voices from others can be heard, she remains the sole protagonist of her story, as if she was alone in the world.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the actress said that the role pushed her to become a better actress but was also extremely challenging: “Being shot for 12 hours a day and not being able to turn around to another actor, it was a descent into madness.
‘Monolith’ occupies the Top 3 on Max worldwide
“Monolith” has been lauded by critics as a unique sci-fi horror experience fused with suspense and horror. Given the rarity of such titles, it’s no surprise to see Sullivan’s solo film ranking in the Top 3 on Max worldwide.
Remarkably, it has surpassed “Dune,” despite the ongoing excitement for “Dune 2,” which propelled the first installment to the top of the rankings for several weeks. Additionally, it’s not far from outshining “Barbie,” which, according to Flix Patrol, has only a slightly higher viewership than “Monolith.”
The film follows a young journalist known as “The Interviewer,” who seeks to revive her career by starting a podcast on unsolved mysteries, inviting listeners to share their eerie stories. One day, a maid named Floramae calls in to discuss a strange black brick, prompting numerous other callers to claim they possess similar objects.
As mentioned, Lily Sullivan is the sole actress on screen throughout the entire movie, accompanied only by the voices she hears via her podcast. Some of the actors who contribute through these dialogues include Ling Cooper Tang, Ansuya Nathan, Erik Thomson, and Terence Crawford.
The final scene leaves viewers with an ending open to free interpretation. Many have compared it to David Lynch’s “Lost Highway” and Michael Haneke’s “Hidden.” Screen Hub listed the production as one of the top 10 horror films of 2022.