Monster & Me

Rubie asserts her authority as her father owns the mall, listing every Christmas wish with a smug confidence. She uses wealth and status to pressure the mall Santa and others around her. This scene establishes her as a classic bully who wields power without considering others' feelings.

Rubie hears a strange noise and finds Santa coming down the chimney. The mall Santa she taunts tells her she is ugly on the inside and promises to make her ugly on the outside. Rubie brushes it off as a dream, unaware that the warning will soon become reality.

On Christmas morning, Rubie wakes up to a drastic physical change: frizzy hair, pimples, and scars proclaiming a new, unattractive appearance. In sharp contrast, Elliot experiences the opposite transformation, gaining confidence and a fresh look. The siblings' fortunes flip overnight, shocking their family.

Rubie's parents take her to the doctor, who confirms she is healthy aside from the mysterious change. The visit hints that the issue is not medical but tied to her inner self and relationships. Patricia begins to consider deeper steps to help Rubie cope with the transformation.

Patricia arranges a full makeover at a luxurious salon, hoping to restore Rubie's beauty. Rubie remains resistant, and the makeover fails to change her attitude or how she behaves toward others. The scene emphasizes that inner change can't be bought with appearances.

The mall Santa visits again and warns Rubie that she must obtain a real gift from a real friend by the next Christmas. If she fails, she will stay ugly. Rubie begins to grasp that wealth and power won't repair broken relationships.

Christmas vacation ends and Rubie returns to school wearing a head scarf to hide her face. The new appearance makes her more vulnerable, and she slips from bully to target. The social dynamics at school begin to shift around her.

Rubie's altered look makes her the target of bullying, while Elliot's new appearance helps him join the popular crowd. The siblings' fortunes diverge, highlighting how appearance reshapes social standings. The dynamic strains their previously close relationship.

Patricia worries about both children and decides to teach them that inner worth matters more than external appearance. She encourages them to value people for who they are inside. This marks a turning point in both Rubie and Elliot's outlook.

Rubie and Elliot begin to soften, with Rubie reaching out to Olivia, the girl she once tormented. They become friends and discover a shared love of astronomy, eventually attending space camp together over the summer. The trio forms a new, genuine bond.

During the next Christmas Eve, Rubie gives Olivia an expensive necklace in an attempt to mend their broken friendship. Olivia feels hurt by the gesture, and Rubie learns that the necklace was a memento of Olivia's dead mother. The emotional misstep deepens Rubie's understanding of others' pain.

Santa appears again, praising the new Rubie and urging her not to give up. He suggests that the best presents come from the heart and from genuine effort. Rubie resolves to try again, starting with a gift from the heart rather than a grand gesture.

On Christmas morning, Rubie brings Olivia a scrapbook of their friendship, and Olivia responds with a scrapbook of her own. The exchange marks a turning point as both realize the value of their bond. The two friends begin to repair their relationship, built on sincerity.

Back at school, Rubie is surrounded by her real friends, including Olivia, rather than her old clique. She chooses to abandon cruel behavior and embraces true friendship. Elliot remains supportive, and the siblings navigate their renewed social world together.