Monster Slayer (2025)

Screening as part of Doc Edge 2026

When Monty’s pleas for justice go unheard after she is assaulted while working at a strip club, she paints a billboard to confront both her assailant and the stigma surrounding sex work.

Monster Slayer is a compact but powerful animated documentary that takes a deeply personal story and turns it into a wider reflection on stigma, resilience and the systems that fail people who work in the adult entertainment industry. Directed by Catie Skipp, the 21-minute film centres on Stephanie “Monty” Montgomery, an artist and dancer whose life is reshaped after a violent incident at her workplace. Instead of relying on reenactments or sensational imagery, the documentary uses Monty’s own artwork, animated by Felice Wong, to tell the story in a way that protects her dignity while amplifying her voice.

The film begins with brightness. Monty appears on screen with an open, expressive presence. She talks about her love of drawing, her excitement about leaving her small Texas hometown and her move to Los Angeles. She describes the joy she found in dancing, the freedom of movement, and the inspiration she gained from being around performers whose bodies became subjects for her sketches. The early tone is light and hopeful. It shows a young woman building a life that blends art, independence and community.

This makes the shift that follows more striking. Monty recounts an assault (rape) by a regular patron at the club where she worked. The documentary does not show the event. Instead, it relies on Monty’s voice and her illustrations to convey the emotional impact. Her drawings, animated with care, become a way to express trauma without exploiting it. The animation style is vivid and direct, allowing the audience to understand the gravity of the experience while keeping Monty in control of her own narrative.

The aftermath is where the film’s critique sharpens. Monty describes how the club’s management dismissed her, telling her she should consider herself fortunate because other women supposedly welcomed attention from the man who harmed her. The police response was similarly dismissive. Her complaint was not taken seriously. Her credibility was questioned. The message she received from both institutions was clear: her safety did not matter.

This is where Monster Slayer becomes more than a personal story. It becomes a commentary on how people in adult entertainment are treated by the justice system and by society. Monty explains how stereotypes about sex workers lead to dangerous assumptions. People assume they are less deserving of protection. They assume harm is part of the job. They assume that reporting violence is unnecessary or exaggerated. The film shows how these attitudes create an environment where predators feel emboldened and victims feel abandoned.

Monty’s response is what gives the documentary its title. She decides to confront the man who harmed her, through public art. She paints a large billboard near the club, using her skills to expose the behaviour that was ignored. The act is not framed as revenge in a sensational sense. Instead, it is shown as a reclaiming of power. Monty uses the tools she has, the tools she has always used, to make herself seen. Her artwork becomes a form of resistance, a way to speak when official channels refuse to listen.

The documentary’s structure is simple. It is mostly Monty speaking directly to the camera, with her artwork animated throughout her narrative. This simplicity is one of the film’s strengths. The camera stays close to her face, capturing her expressions with clarity. Her eyes carry the emotional weight of the story. You can see frustration, sadness, anger and determination. The intimacy of the framing makes the film feel personal and immediate.

Felice Wong’s animation adds another layer. Monty’s drawings are bold, colourful and expressive. They visualise moments that would otherwise be too difficult or too abstract to convey. The animation allows the film to explore sensitive topics without crossing into exploitation. It also reinforces the idea that Monty is an artist first and foremost. Her creativity is not separate from her experience. It is the way she processes it.

The documentary encourages broader conversations happening around adult entertainment. In recent years, public discussions about sex work have shifted. Some stigma has softened, especially with the rise of online platforms. But the film shows that harmful attitudes still exist. It highlights how workplaces can ignore safety concerns if addressing them threatens profit. It shows how law enforcement can dismiss victims based on assumptions about their profession. It shows how exploitation can come from institutions rather than individuals.

The film does not claim that the industry is inherently exploitative. Instead, it points out how exploitation emerges when people in power choose profit over safety. Monty’s story becomes an example of how workers can be left vulnerable when management refuses to act. The documentary suggests that change requires public pressure, accountability and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

Monster Slayer is also part of a larger trend in documentary storytelling. More films are beginning to address the experiences of dancers and sex workers with nuance and respect. They highlight issues that have long been ignored. They challenge stereotypes. They show the humanity of people who have been dismissed by society. This film fits into that movement, offering a story that is both personal and political.

The ending does not offer closure. Monty’s story is ongoing. The film does not pretend that justice has been served or that the problem has been solved. Instead, it ends with a sense of defiance. Monty’s artwork stands as a symbol of resistance. It is a reminder that silence is not the only option. The documentary leaves viewers with the understanding that change is slow, but voices like Monty’s push it forward.

Monster Slayer is a small film with a large impact. It is intimate, visually striking and emotionally honest. It uses animation to protect its subject while amplifying her message. It critiques systems that fail vulnerable people. It celebrates resilience and creativity. And it reminds viewers that art can be a powerful tool for confronting injustice.

Screening as part of Doc Edge 2026. Check out the films and screenings here

Review written by Alex Moulton