-->
Year: 2017
Runtime: 109 min
Language: English
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
As a struggling woman in a downward spiral, Gloria's ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when Seoul, Korea is ravaged by a mysterious giant creature. As she delves into the truth behind this global catastrophe, Gloria uncovers a profound connection to the destruction, forcing her to confront the magnitude of her own existence and the unpredictable power it holds.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Colossal yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
The film begins in Seoul, South Korea, where a small girl and her mother enjoy a stroll through a park in search of the girl’s lost doll. In a sudden turn of events, a bolt of lightning strikes, heralding the emergence of a towering monster that wreaks havoc on the city, leaving the girl in sheer terror.
Fast forward 25 years, we find Gloria, played by Anne Hathaway, stumbling home in the early hours, visibly hungover. She attempts to justify her erratic lifestyle to her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens), but he’s had enough of her excessive drinking and unemployment, and finally decides to pack her things. Left in disbelief, Gloria is soon joined by friends who arrive to party in the apartment.
Relocating from the city back to her roots in her parents’ old home, Gloria encounters her childhood companion Oscar (Jason Sudeikis). Their reunion leads her to the bar Oscar inherited from his father. At the bar, she also meets Oscar’s friends Garth ([Tim Blake Nelson]) and Joel ([Austin Stowell]). As they reminisce over drinks in a nostalgic part of the bar, tensions arise when Joel attempts to kiss Gloria, only for Oscar to intervene.
After a drunken trek home with an inflatable mattress, Gloria awakens to a call from her sister. A shocking news segment reveals that a monster is once again causing chaos in Seoul, igniting her fear. She tries to reach Tim, but he dismisses her due to her state of inebriation. With Oscar’s support, Gloria finds a job at the bar, receiving a television for her dreary living space, leading to more drinking and late-night adventures.
As Gloria witnesses the monster’s movements on the news, she realizes a shocking connection: the creature mirrors her actions. After testing this bizarre link in the park, where she inadvertently influences the monster’s behavior, she invites Oscar, Garth, and Joel to witness this phenomenon. The implications of their antics lead to disastrous consequences, resulting in massive destruction and loss of life. Burdened by guilt, Gloria attempts to communicate her remorse, reaching out to the people of Seoul with a heartfelt message written in the park.
After a complicated night with Joel, Gloria continues to navigate her troubled relationship with Oscar, battling their longstanding issues and his increasingly hostile behavior influenced by alcohol. During their confrontations, flashes of childhood memories unveil their complex history, turning violent as emotions erupt at the bar one night.
As the situation escalates, Gloria devises a plan to confront Oscar, who has become the robot terrorizing the city. In a gripping showdown that juxtaposes her empowerment against her dependency, Gloria travels to Seoul during an evacuation. Unfazed by the chaos surrounding her, she finds the courage to put an end to Oscar’s rampage, ultimately responding to his aggression with strength.
She triumphantly ejects the robot Oscar from the city, reclaiming her agency at the cost of their relationship. As Gloria walks away from the destruction, the scene shifts to her mourning the weight of the events that transpired. In a poignant conclusion, she enters a small restaurant where she meets a friendly woman behind the counter, ready to share her story as she begins to face her future anew.
Last Updated: November 07, 2024 at 23:37
Colossal (2017) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Colossal (2017) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Colossal – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Love and Monsters (2020) Detailed Story Recap
Monsters vs Aliens (2009) Story Summary & Characters
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) Story Summary & Characters
Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2019) Film Overview & Timeline
I Kill Giants (2018) Story Summary & Characters
Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) Complete Plot Breakdown
Godzilla (2014) Detailed Story Recap
Godzilla (1998) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Greenland (2020) Movie Recap & Themes
Pacific Rim (2013) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Gigantic (2009) Movie Recap & Themes
Rampage (2018) Film Overview & Timeline
Monsters (2010) Movie Recap & Themes
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) Full Movie Breakdown
Armageddon (1998) Full Movie Breakdown