take it literally. That Max really does run away one night to spend a week living with monsters and that this is the story, no metaphor or allegory or illustration, no inkling that perhaps that film might be trying to tell us more than whats happening on screen.

even the original ten page look childrens picture book was obviously not a literal journey to another world

am i just reading reviews by idiots?

also, I thought it was amongst the best films i've seen at the cinema this year.