Monster adapts Walter Dean Myers’ award-winning 1999 novel, is notable for two reasons: One, it’s the feature debut of Anthony Mandler, who directed music videos for Rihanna, Lana Del Rey, the Jonas Brothers and many others. And two, it’s yet another solid credit for Kelvin Harrison Jr., whose star is rising. Security cam: Two people enter a store to rob it; the clerk pulls out a pistol; a violent struggle ensues. Then we see Steve Harmon (Harrison) being questioned by police. He meets with a public defender, Katherine O’Brien (Jennifer Ehle), who’s chilly and cynical. Steve’s shuffled into jail and into a cold marble courtroom looming over the judge ominously. In flashbacks, we see him in his middle class home with his mother (Jennifer Hudson), father (Jeffrey Wright) and little brother Jerry (Nyleek Moore). They’re a happy family living in Harlem, and Steve is a bright kid who loves photography and filmmaking. Cut back to the courtroom, and the prosecutor makes his opening statements, which includes pointing at Steve and saying, “He’s a monster.” Crucially, Steve wasn’t one of the guys in the security footage. He’s being charged as an accessory to the bodega clerk’s murder. More flashbacks: Steve photographs and films friends on the street. Steve sits in class, listening to his film teacher, Mr Sawicki (Tim Blake Nelson), lecture him about putting passion and urgency into his work. Back in the present, Steve is in jail, traumatised. What exactly did he do? Is he innocent or guilty?