Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a captivating exploration of the secretive scientific organisation, Monarch, featured in various MonsterVerse properties. The series, set after the 2014 Godzilla events in San Francisco, delves into the organisation’s past and present, featuring the father-son duo of Kurt and Wyatt Russell, who portray Lee Shaw at different points in time. The narrative centres around two siblings, portrayed by a stellar cast, including Anna Sawai and Ren Watabe, as they unravel their father’s ties to Monarch. In a departure from the action-packed MonsterVerse movies, the series opts for a more human-centric approach, delving into the complexities of coexisting with these colossal creatures.

The Apple TV+ series skillfully incorporates espionage spy thriller elements in the Japan-set scenes of its first two episodes. The present-day narrative follows siblings unraveling the mysterious ties between their father and Monarch. Concurrently, the series delves into the past, featuring scientists played by Mari Yamamoto and Anders Holm, accompanied by a younger Lee Shaw played by Wyatt Russell, as they investigate the origins of colossal creatures. This dual-timeline approach not only enriches the storytelling but also interconnects the characters across time.

With ten episodes in total, the initial release on November 17th, 2023, featured two episodes, followed by weekly releases. Despite the absence of giant monsters, the series excels in character development and human drama, addressing a gap felt in recent MonsterVerse films like Godzilla vs. Kong. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters offers a refreshing take on the MonsterVerse, successfully balancing an unconventional narrative that navigates between past and present. While lacking the spectacle of colossal monsters, the series compensates with a strong focus on human stories, supported by a talented cast and a well-crafted screenplay. It’s a welcome addition to the MonsterVerse, providing a deeper understanding of the secretive Monarch organisation.