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Tom DeLonge, best known as a founding member of Blink‑182, turns his passion for the unexplained into a full‑blown sci‑fi adventure with Monsters of California. Available on UK digital platforms from 7 July 2025 via Plaion Pictures, this coming‑of‑age drama explores government secrets, UFO legends and eerie phenomena through the eyes of one determined teenager.
Set under the bright skies of Southern California, the film centres on Dallas Edwards, played by Jack Samson, still haunted by his father’s mysterious disappearance. His family has tried to move on, but Dallas remains convinced there is more to the story. With his friends Riley (Jared Scott) and Toe (Jack Lancaster) at his side, he squats in abandoned warehouses, hunts for ghostly sightings and debates the existence of extraterrestrials. Their quest heats up when they uncover classified files linked to Dallas’s father, a former fighter pilot, and realise they have stumbled into dangerous territory.
Enlisting the help of Dr Walker, one of his father’s old colleagues portrayed by Richard Kind, Dallas races to decode the meaning of these documents. Meanwhile Uncle Myers, played by Casper Van Dien, commands the military unit desperate to keep those truths buried. As the teens dig deeper, they find themselves entangled in a network of conspiracies and hidden agendas, transforming their search from a personal mission into a fight for survival.
DeLonge’s love for 1980s sci‑fi is woven into every frame. He cites the spirit of classic Amblin films, blending UFO chases, skateboard stunts and even Bigfoot lore into the mix. The tone nods to E.T. and The Goonies while grounding the story in today’s world where fact and fiction blur more each day. Moments of humour and friendship balance the high‑stakes mystery, giving the film a warm heart amid its thrills.
The supporting cast includes Gabrielle Haugh and Arianne Zucker, familiar faces from Days of Our Lives, who add emotional depth to the unfolding drama. The script moves seamlessly between light banter and startling revelations, ensuring the tension stays rooted in the characters rather than relying on CGI alone.
What sets Monsters of California apart is its focus on youthful curiosity against a backdrop of secrecy and paranoia. Dallas and his friends are not superheroes. They are ordinary teens driven by stubborn questions that most adults have long given up on. Their relentless pursuit of answers gives the film its spine and a relatable human touch, even as the story ventures into the realm of the unbelievable.
At its core, the mystery surrounding Dallas’s father propels the narrative, but it is the loyalty and bravery of these young characters that leave the lasting impression. It is a story about chasing the impossible and discovering more about yourselves in the process. For DeLonge, it is a deeply personal project, uniting the obsessions of his youth with a tale that is as heartfelt as it is thrilling.
Monsters of California makes no apologies for its enthusiasm for conspiracy files, secret research bases and teenage defiance. If you are drawn to stories of hidden truths and fearless young explorers, this one is well worth your attention.
Apple TV - https://apple.co/44b1RIf
