Netflix Unveils Trailer for ‘Monster,’ starring Kelvin Harris Jr. and A$AP Rocky

Originally a novel, the forthcoming drama is brought to life by a star studded cast

Kelvin Harris Jr. appears front and center in Netflix’s first trailer for upcoming movie, ‘Monster.’

Based on Walter Dean Myers’ 1999 novel of the same name, the anticipated drama tells the story of teenager Steve Harmon played by Harris Jr. A 17-year-old honor student attending an elite high school and with knack for film, whose world is turned upside down when he is charged with felony murder—the film unravels into a complex legal battle that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.

Harris Jr. delivers this latest performance alongside Jennifer Hudson as Mrs. Harmon, Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Harmon, and is joined by A$AP Rocky, Nas, John David Washington, Jharell Jerome, Jennifer Ehle and Tim Black Nelson.

“Five years ago I had the privilege of being in a movie that felt like an essay to America asking if they really saw me. Often times, I still ask the same question,” said leading man, Harris Jr. via Instagram post. “Though so much has changed in the last five years, the defacement of our black men has not. Im grateful to be able to release this movie but I do hope it loses its contemporary relevance soon. Much love.”

The prosecutor (Paul Ben-Victor) paints the protagonist as just another young Black criminal — “a monster” — a storyline that in reality is not all that fictitious, and could be pulled straight from news headlines.

Hudson also took to social media to celebrate the forthcoming release, “It’s such a powerful film and it couldn’t come at a better time. For many reasons this story is close to my heart and I can’t wait for yal to finally see it.”

The Anthony Mandler-directed legal drama first premiered at the 2018 Sundance Festival, and this year, on May 7th it will be released on Netflix’s streaming platform.

Watch the trailer for ‘Monster’ below.

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