Review: Monkey Man – Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
Entertainment Apr 05, 2024
When we reminisce about our childhood, we often recall various aspects such as our youth’s antics, our parents’ guidance, and how they instilled religious teachings and practices in us. Beyond these, there are additional memories that resonate with us. Not everyone experiences a blissful childhood; some endure tumultuous upbringings that shape them in chaotic ways, leading to a topsy-turvy life. As a result of traumatic experiences in childhood, we may find ourselves becoming volatile towards situations and people, infused with a desire for revenge. This can make us emotionally resilient, enabling us to confront obstacles uniquely.
Our Features Editor – Entertainment, Mehak Kapoor, attended an advanced press screening of the film and gives us her review below.
South Asian-British actor Dev Patel shines in Monkey Man, a film that marks his impressive debut as a writer and director. Backed by producer Jordan Peele, Patel delivers a captivating performance in this revenge action thriller set amidst the bustling streets of Mumbai, fictionally called, Yatana. Monkey Man stars Dev Patel as an unnamed fighter, credited as ‘ The Kid’. In the ring, he unravels a gorilla mask and participates in fights arranged by a dubious promoter played by Sharlto Copley, all in pursuit of monetary gain. The film cleverly intertwines themes of payback and nationalism, offering a fresh and engaging perspective. The portrayal of the lead character is both intense and dynamic, showcasing his versatility as an actor. His mastery of martial arts adds depth to the action sequences, while moments of vulnerability reveal the complexity of his character.
The actor-turned-director portrays a character known as Bobby, a pseudonym inspired by a brand of bleach. Raised by his single mother in the forest, Bobby was enchanted by the stories and teachings of the Hindu Deity, Lord Hanuman, God known for knowledge, bravery, and loyalty. However, what follows is the journey of this young man seeking justice for his mother’s murder. While this premise may seem familiar, the blending of action sequences with Patel’s captivating performance injects freshness into each scene, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats.
Despite frequent defeats and the additional incentive of payment for shedding blood, the Kid stays undeterred. Despite his unassuming appearance and scarred hands, Patel skillfully utilizes his expressive eyes to convey the character’s unwavering determination. This young man is propelled by a singular objective, resolute in his pursuit despite the challenges he faces. His fighting style resembled that of Lord Hanuman battling Ravana in the Ramayana. The character’s ultimate goal is to unleash devastating vengeance upon those who wronged him and his mother.
In the movie, different interpretations of the Ramayana unfold, emphasizing the triumph of righteousness over injustice and the complicated power dynamics within human and societal realms. The brutal murder of Bobby’s mother, portrayed by Adithi Kalkunte, serves as a pivotal moment in shaping the film’s storyline.
Additionally, the film delves into significant sociopolitical issues, shedding light on the manipulation tactics employed by religious imposters and Hindu superpatriots. These themes are likely to resonate with individuals possessing critical thinking abilities, irrespective of their cultural background.
Monkey Man transcends the typical action movie genre, delving into thought-provoking themes of identity and justice. Dev Patel’s directorial vision and talent breathe life into this narrative, elevating it beyond comparisons to films like John Wick. Patel’s debut film makes a strong case for his skill in delivering gripping and intense storytelling within the action genre. The film is distributed by Universal Pictures and has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association. This rating is due to its illustration of intense bloody violence, frequent strong language, scenes containing sexual content and nudity, and depiction of drug use.
Monkey Man is slated for release by Universal Pictures on April 5, 2024, coinciding with the premiere of the horror prequel The First Omen, produced by Disney-owned 20th Century Studios. The film features a star-studded cast including Sharlto Copley as Tiger, Vipin Sharma as Alpha, Adithi Kalkunte as Neela, Sobhita Dhulipala as Sita, Ashwini Kaleskar as Queenie, Sikandar Kher as Rana, and Makarand Deshpande as Baba Shakti.
My Ratings: 4/5
Dev Patel, Film Review, Hollywood Film, Jordan Peele, Lord Hanuman, Markand Deshpande, Monkey Man, Monkey Man Film Review, Monkeypaw Productions, Pitobash, Sharlto Copley, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipal, Universal Pictures, Vipin Kumar Sharma
Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment
Author
Mehak Kapoor (@makeba_93) is a seasoned entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience in anchoring and content creation for television and digital platforms. Passionate about storytelling and factual reporting, she enjoys connecting with diverse audiences. Outside of work, ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations
-
Pride 2023: 10 Bollywood Films That Honour Our Desi LGBTQIA+ Family
-
Hot Summer Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Review: 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' Is For The Ones Who Love Love!
-
Pamela Mala Sinha's Latest Play "NEW" Breathes Fresh Life Into Our Parents' Immigrant Story
-
Dilpreet Bhattal Proved Her Mettle On CBC's "Canada's Ultimate Challenge"
-
Here's Why You Can't Miss The 12th South Asian Film Festival Of Montréal
-
The First Ever South Asian House At SXSW Made All Sorts Of History
-
Hot April 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
-
'Canada's Got Talent' Judge Lilly Singh Wants Us To Get Ready To Be Amazed
-
Don't Miss Out On The 10th Annual Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival
-
Oscars 2023 Highlights: How Our South Asian Stars Took Over Tinseltown
-
Hot March 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
-
Ali Hassan Shares Comedic Life Lessons In His Memoir “Is There Bacon In Heaven?”
-
Nisha Pahuja Follows A Father's Search For Justice In Her Latest Doc "To Kill A Tiger"
-
From South India to LA, R&B Star Malavika Is Set Sizzle In 2023!
-
CBC's "Bollywed" Spotlights Chandan Fashion's Iconic Family Bridal Business
-
Hot February 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
-
Is Mindy Kaling A Self-Hating South Asian?