Monsters of California – Movie Review

First Reaction – Monsters of California has an interesting idea but struggles to develop the characters.
Where to Watch
Monsters of California is released on UK digital platforms 12 May 2025
Director: Tom DeLonge
Writer: Tom DeLonge, Ian Miller, Ian Thomas Miller (Screenplay)
Cast
- Jack Samson (Zodiac)
- Jack Lancaster
- Jared Scott
- Gabrielle Haugh (Jeepers Creepers 3)
- Arianne Zucker (Days of Our Lives)
Plot: Teenager Dallas Edwards, and his derelict friends on a quest for the meaning behind a series of mysterious, paranormal events in Southern California.
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Monsters of California starts when Dallas (Samson) and his friends Toe (Lancaster) and Riley (Scott), investigate the paranormal. Dallas has been searching for answers about his father’s death while his mother Leah (Zucker) begins her new life.
When Dallas discovers something, he unwittingly releases a bigger conspiracy. Along with his friends, he investigates his father’s research and makes a disturbing discovery.
Verdict on Monsters of California
Recap
The movie follows a group of teenagers in search of one of their father’s research. It takes them down a path with supernatural paranormal behaviour. However, what they discover is far more disturbing than anything they could have imagined.
Best Parts
Whenever we delve into government secrets and potential alien life forms, we uncover a fascinating story concept. It adds the lost parental figure whose son wants more answers about. These two moments work well for the story.
Worst Parts
Where this movie can lose some direction is by having the stoner teenagers investigating the paranormal. It takes away any ability to believe what they are witnessing because they even admit the drugs give them visions.
Final Thoughts –Monsters of California is a stoner paranormal hunt.

