Monkey Man Review: A Revenge Story with Heart and Soul

As far as action movies go, Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man makes an impact that I don’t think many other films from first-time directors have made. On the surface, it’s a standard and simple revenge story in action movie form, but the heart and soul that Patel has put into this film elevates it to be so much more.

Monkey Man follows the nameless main character played by Patel, credited only as Kid, as he seeks revenge against the corrupt political leaders responsible for the death of his mother and the destruction and burning of his entire village. Kid is surviving off of the money he makes by fighting in an underground fighting ring, wearing a monkey mask inspired by the stories his mother raised him on of the brave Indian warrior deity Hanuman. As the film progresses, we see Kid get a job in the kitchen at a prestigious club frequented by the corrupt elite he’s looking to take down, and we follow him as he works his way up the ladder to get as close as he can to them.

With a slow build in the first act leading to Kid’s first confrontation with Rana, played by the excellent and menacing Sikandar Kher, Kid’s journey is methodical and meticulously planned, but with a clear rage bubbling just underneath the surface threatening to blow his cover. Patel masterfully handles these moments his rage threatens to take over, where you can almost see him physically pushing the emotions deeper until the moment he needs to feel them. The action in the first act is messy and hectic, fueled by Kid’s desperation, and the wild choreography of the fighting lends itself well to the camera work. The choice to have the camera switch from third-person to first-person frequently helps keep the action intimate, something you don’t see often in blockbuster action films.

Monkey Man’s second act trends much slower than the first, but this slowdown lets the film show its heart, letting the audience see the full depth of Kid’s motivation after a smattering of clues shown in the first act. The more introspective second act is exactly what Kid needs to refine his rage and give it a true purpose, because once he does, we’re treated to an explosive third act where Kid is in full control, even when it looks like the chips are down. Thanks to the two acts before it showing us the exact steps Kid takes to gain this control, Monkey Man’s third act is a spectacle that doesn’t slow down until the literal final moments of the film.

What makes the relation between the three acts of Monkey Man so special is the journey that Kid goes on in regards to the reasoning for his revenge. In act one, Kid is desperate to reach those he wants to take revenge on, this is showcased not only in his fights for money in an underground ring, but also in the very violence and action the film is showing us. In act two, Kid comes to terms with why he’s pursuing revenge and reasons for his rage and desperation, and rather than abandoning them for what other films may call a “more noble” goal, he learns to refine them into a proper purpose, letting him take control of them in act three and hone them into a fine point that he finally uses to push his way to the top with spectacular precision.

The action and violence in Monkey Man is nothing short of extraordinary. Yes, it’s gratuitous and those with an aversion to violence and gore may want to be wary of this one. However, if you can stomach it, you’ll be treated to some of the most creative, intimate, and visceral violence that I’ve ever seen on screen. The creativity of the fighting in both act one and act three speak to the desperation fueling Kid. This desperation isn’t just reflected in the film’s most violent moments either, Monkey Man throws in a few funnily realistic moments in the midst of the action that leave Kid in even more desperate situations, and I was pleased that what humor the film does have didn’t detract from the overall mood of the action whatsoever. Often the most shocking violence is shown in close-up with Kid face-to-face with his opponent in close proximity, offering an intimacy that tells the audience that he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an audience gasp at the fighting happening on screen as much as they did at my Monkey Man screening, and I have to say that every gasp was entirely deserved.

What I loved most about Monkey Man is that it doesn’t just hit the gas and never stop, it certainly pumps the brakes when it needs to, and it’s a better film for it. Dev Patel has crafted a film that showcases desperation and purpose as two sides of the same coin, and does so expertly. His presence is certainly felt on-screen, but it’s clear that the decisions he made behind the camera make this film truly incredible.

Score: 9.5

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Monkey Man

Release Date: April 5, 2024

Genre: Action Thriller

Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Makarand Deshpande, Jatin Malik and Zakir Hussain.

Director: Dev Patel

Story by: Dev Patel

Screenplay by: Dev Patel and Paul Angunawela and John Collee

Producers: Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas p.g.a., Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee p.g.a., Christine Haebler, Sam Sahni, Anjay Nagpal

Executive Producers: Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskaya, Jason Cloth, Suraj Maraboyina, Adam Somer, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney, Steven Thibault

Synopsis:

Oscar^® nominee Dev Patel (Lion, Slumdog Millionaire) achieves an astonishing, tour-de-force feature directing debut with an action thriller about one man’s quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.

After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes, Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Hotel Mumbai, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

The film’s international cast includes Sharlto Copley (District 9),Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero),Makarand Deshpande (RRR), Jatin Malik in his film debut, and Zakir Hussain (Duranga).

Monkey Man is produced by Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas p.g.a. (Hotel Mumbai, The Man Who Knew Infinity), Oscar^® winner Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Hunters series), Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Basil Iwanyk (John Wick franchise, Sicario films) and Erica Lee p.g.a. (John Wick franchise, Silent Night), Christine Haebler (Shut In, Bones of Crows), Sam Sahni (associate producer The Wedding Guest, executive producer To Kill a Tiger) and Anjay Nagpal (executive producer of Bombshell, Greyhound).

Serving as executive producers are Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskaya, Jason Cloth, Suraj Maraboyina, Adam Somer, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney and Steven Thibault.

Universal Pictures presents a Bron Studios production, a Thunder Road Films production, a Monkeypaw production, a Minor Realm production, a S’Ya Concept production, in association with WME Independent and Creative Wealth Media.