Love Is the Monster is a 2025 horror thriller film written and directed by Alex Noyer. It tells the story of troubled couples who head to a groundbreaking retreat in Finland, where they fall prey to a malevolent ancient goddess of love. The film stars Madeline Zima, Leonardo Nam, Kristina Tonteri-Young, and Sheila McCarthy.
It premiered at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 13, 2025.
Contents
Plot
Ana and Justin, a couple who have been rocked by infidelity, attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland under the golden rays of the summer's midnight sun. They join other couples from other parts of the world to experience the transformative teachings of the shaman and healer, Tiina, inspired by Lempo, the ancient goddess of love and fertility from Finnish mythology. But the idyllic setting soon takes a turn.
Cast
Madeline Zima as Ana
Leonardo Nam as Justin
Kimberly-Sue Murray as Harper
Moe Jeudy-Lamour as Lance
Kristina Tonteri-Young as Blake
Milla Puolakanaho as Tiina
Sheila McCarthy as Margaret
Alexander Eling as Marko
Tatu Sinisalo as Petri
Louis Lay as Maxime
Anne-Julie Proulx as Delphine
Gloria Slade as Caroline
Louise Kerr as the widow
Production
The film is shot in Canada, such in the rural wilderness of Ontario.
Release
In August 2023, it was announced that XYZ Films would handle the film's North American rights, and would launch sales at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. In May 2025, it was announced that Raven Banner Entertainment would launch global sales for the film at the Marché du Film and its Fantastic Pavilion at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
The film's world premiere was held at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival on October 13, 2025.