There are two timelines in Monarch, one set in a post-war world where trio Bill (Anders Holm), Shaw (Wyatt Russell), and Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) look for monsters, and another set in 2015, where trio Cate, Kentaro (Ren Watabe), and May (Kiersey Clemons) look for Cate and Kentaro’s missing father. Both timelines are action-packed and mystery-filled, eventually intertwining in a surprising but thrilling way. But for all that’s happening, Monarch is weirdly missing the monsters. Godzilla, along with other creatures old and new, rarely appear, though when they do, they make sure to put on a spectacle you can’t look away from. The show could use a lot more of these monsters, though there’s much to like in the human cast too—especially in Shaw, whose present self is played by Russell’s father, the iconic Kurt Russell. The decision to cast them in this role is more than inspired, it’s downright entertaining. Not only do they look alike, but they have the same mannerisms and charismatic flairs, though both actors make sure to inflect the character with their own specific charms. Seeing their interpretation of Shaw is reason enough to watch this series, but everything else is pretty epic too.
"Monarch is a best-case scenario for franchise expansion because it doesn’t just indulge us, it humbles us. What’s more Godzilla than that?"
— Roxana Hadadi
"Even if you’re not necessarily a fan of Godzilla and his smash-fueled mania, the adventure-seeking and numerous twists and turns will likely satisfy the most novice MonsterVerse explorer."
— Aramide Tinubu
After surviving Godzilla's attack on San Francisco, Cate is shaken yet again by a shocking secret. Amid monstrous threats, she embarks on a globetrotting adventure to learn the truth about her family—and the mysterious organization known as Monarch.
A year after Godzilla wreaked havoc in San Francisco, Cate (Anna Sawai) travels to her missing father’s home country to find clues on his whereabouts. Instead, she finds a long-lost sibling and an uncanny connection to Monarch, the underground organization that monitors titans like Godzilla.
With Apple TV+’s deep pockets and Kurt Russell's silver screen charms, Monarch can often feel like an overlong movie, but in the best way.
Come for Godzilla, stay for the Russell father-and-son duo.
