Ten years after its release, Anne Hathaway's 2016 science fiction film Colossal continues to age gracefully, revealing deeper layers beneath its initially bizarre premise. The Neon film, written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, presents itself as a dark comedy centered on a down-on-her-luck woman who finds herself inexplicably linked to a giant monster attacking Seoul. While the trailer frames it as a peculiar romantic comedy, the movie evolves into a complex meditation on unfulfilled potential, resentment, and the dangers of entitlement.

Hathaway stars as Gloria, an unemployed writer grappling with alcoholism. After her boyfriend, Tim, played by Dan Stevens, kicks her out of his New York apartment, she retreats to her childhood home. There, she reconnects with Oscar, a bar owner portrayed by Jason Sudeikis, and spends her evenings drinking. One morning, while stumbling home, Gloria witnesses the emergence of a colossal monster in Seoul, mirroring her every movement. This uncanny connection is revealed to manifest when Gloria is in a specific playground at 8:05 a.m., with the kaiju replicating her actions on a global scale.

Initially, Gloria experiments with this newfound connection through drunken curiosity, dancing and making gestures that the monster repeats. This makes her, a woman at her lowest point, the center of global attention for a brief, absurd period. However, her actions have consequences; a stumble can cause the kaiju to fall, resulting in mass casualties. This realization forces Gloria to confront the destructive impact of her carelessness, a metaphor for how her personal issues have affected those around her.

Gloria's struggles with alcohol are presented as a reaction to her own sense of failure. Her aspirations of becoming a successful writer in New York have been replaced by job loss, a failed relationship, and a feeling of stagnation. This disappointment fuels her self-destructive behavior. Oscar, too, harbors his own disappointments, primarily stemming from the inherited bar he runs. While Gloria's response is sadness, Oscar's has festered into anger.

Sudeikis's portrayal of Oscar becomes particularly compelling in retrospect, especially following his more benevolent roles. Beneath Oscar's affable exterior lies a "nice guy" persona that masks a sense of entitlement. He offers Gloria a job, financial assistance, and emotional support, leading him to believe she owes him something in return. The film cleverly uses its central conceit to explore this manipulative dynamic, culminating in unexpected turns.

Colossal is not without its flaws; the transition from an offbeat monster movie to an exploration of abuse can feel jarring. Yet, the film astutely captures the difficulty of overcoming destructive patterns. Recognizing one's harmful behavior is only the first step, and taking responsibility is a painful, awkward process. The movie suggests that true change requires more than simply defeating an external threat.

Despite its difficult themes and occasional messiness, Colossal offers a profound insight into the nature of harm. It posits that the distinction between causing harm and being truly monstrous lies in the willingness to acknowledge damage, accept accountability, and actively work toward change. The film is available to stream on Kanopy and for rent or purchase on various platforms.