Monkey Man Reviews (original) (raw)

Summary 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 ...

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Patel’s film may have found its greatest success in the way it seamlessly, powerfully translates the director’s pure, kinetic love of cinema into something bold, new, and unforgettable.

The new Dev Patel is taking no prisoners in this slice of Mumbai mayhem, announcing himself as a filmmaker with possibly the most ferocious mainstream action movie since The Raid, and as an action star by sticking a knife into a goon’s neck. With his teeth.

It felt like an apt Asian action film in 2024. I can taste the food in my mouth, I can feel the fire of the passion in Dev Patel's work. A must-watch for the Asian action flavor alone. I, as an Asian viewer myself am taking notes. Truly an inspiring work. I need more!

Amazing movie a must watch for everyone especially for the Indian audience andamazing action.

Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is a gritty, nasty piece of work.

It’s hard to believe that the likable British star of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Lion” and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” could be the next actor to become a hard-charging action director. But Patel’s filmmaking debut, “Monkey Man,” makes a bone-breaking case for just that.

Monkey Man is an energetic and thoughtful debut feature that leaves one excited about what Patel’s future as an action star might look like.

Patel does some fine work in Monkey Man even if its fight sequences rarely pop, flow or impress; they’re energetic but uninspired.

Dev Patel’s diehard sincerity clashes with unwieldy religious imagery in an India-set revenge saga whose tepid action scenes fail to make up for its muddled politics.

Art in pure cinema form, engaging and beautiful. Dev Patel showing us his acting chops big time and I can't wait to see him direct again.

Dev Patel is an actor I admire so of course I was interested in his directorial debut. There is a lot of great stuff here but there are some issues too. The first act has a great build-up with its sprinkle of backstory and world of crime. The action scene is fun albeit it is overly edited and has a lot of shaky cams. The movie's pacing then goes to a complete stall with its boring second act that goes on for too long. Nothing of importance occurs apart from explaining something the audience already knows and a pointless side quest. The final act is a full-on action set piece that doesn't use shaky cam but is incredibly predictable. Monkey Man has an interesting spin with the added Indian mythology but it is just an overstuffed and over-explained revenge story. It is a great start for Dev Patel and I will look at his director career with great interest.

Certainly entertaining. Had a definite John Wick vibe, but I didn't like John Wick at all. I'd say this movie makes a few strange choices that weaken some of its big moments, and a few scenes go on too long.... I guess its biggest strength is that I haven't really seen this kind of story in this kind of setting. Hopefully Patel can just go upward from here.

Bad writing, bad acting, and a lead character/actor that is unappealing in everyway... no thank you.

horrible film,horrible dialogue, they are cussing in every line, who wrote this trash? The pacing is horrible. It's not even clear what is going on with the main characters mother when he has flashbacks. It's bad writing and directing if the audience has trouble decphering what is going on. Sadly wokeness has infected Indian films as well. This is a pro-trans film and the characters talk about it as well as a fake newscast in the film mentioning trans people. And without fail, there is a strong female character (Queenie?) in the film. Basically she just acts like a man and she is the main characters boss. Stay away from this trash film. The least of the worries should be the woke BS.

Production Company BRON Studios, Thunder Road Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, Minor Realm, S'YA Concept, WME Independent, Creative Wealth Media Finance, Fifth Season, Lost Winds Entertainment

Release Date Apr 5, 2024

Duration 1 h 53 m

Rating R

Tagline One Small Ember Can Burn Down Everything.

Golden Trailer Awards

• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations

SXSW Film Festival

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Astra Midseason Movie Awards