Before J.A. Bayona jumps into the production of Jurassic World 2, he’ll be finishing the press run for A Monster Calls. Based on the Patrick Ness novel of the same name, the film follows a young 12-year-old boy (Lewis MacDougall) who is dealing with far more than other boys his age. Despite the weight of the world on his shoulders, he finds support in an unlikely ally, a monster (voiced by Liam Neeson), who helps guide him and give him the courage he needs to overcome his fears.

Just in time for National Face Your Fears Day, Focus Features has released a new video to help those stand up to what you are most afraid of and to seize the day. Check out the video below.

It’s hard not to get a bit teary eyed when watching the trailers. Critics who have already seen the film at major film festivals, like TIFF, have praised it for balancing dark and fantastical themes with real world issues that young children deal with today. Some have even called it one of the best films of the year.

The film also stars Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, and Toby Kebbell.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

A visually spectacular and unabashedly emotional drama from director J.A. Bayona. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little in common with his imperious grandmother (Sigourney Weaver). His father (Toby Kebbell) has resettled thousands of miles away. But Conor finds a most unlikely ally when the Monster (portrayed by Liam Neeson in performance-capture and voiceover) appears at his bedroom window one night. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.

A Monster Calls opens in select cities on December 23rd, 2016 and nationwide on January 6th, 2017.

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[Source: Focus Features YT]