<![CDATA[Monster (2023) is a collaboration film by director Hirokazu Koreeda and script writer Yuji Sakamoto. The film presents a representation of homosexuality within child characters through an implicit and symbolic multi-perspective narrative, set within a society that still very much upholds heteronormatives values. This study aims to identify and describe meaning-making of child audiences aged 13–15 towards the message of homosexuality conveyed in the film. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with Stuart Hall’s reception analysis as its primary method, supported by Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis theory to identify the film’s preferred reading. The research subjects consist of six informants selected through purposive sampling method, with the criteria of being 13–15 years old and having watched the film Monster (2023) in full at least once. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and literature study. The findings reveal that child audiences interpret the representation of homosexuality heterogenously, falling into three decoding positions according to Hall’s reception theories: one informant in the hegemonic-dominant position, three informants in the negotiated position, and two informants in oppositional position. Most informants were able to perceive the distinctive emotional closeness between the characters Minato and Yori; however, their readings diverged when required to name that closeness as romantic attraction indicating homosexuality. This act of naming becomes the crucial point that distinguish the three final positions of six informants. The differences are most strongly influenced by four interacting factors, namely religious values, media literacy, social environment, and personal experience. This study affirms that children are active audiences whose reception is dynamic and contextual rather than passive. Their socio-cultural background influences rather big part of their interpretation but does not determine it entirely.]]>
