Title – Monkey Man (2024) 

Director – Dev Patel (feature debut) 

Cast – Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash

Plot – A man simply known as Kid (Patel) is hellbent on vengeance against a collection of ruthless businessman and upper class that have decimated not only his own family but his own country. 

“You like John Wick?”

Review by Eddie on 08/04/2024

Originally destined for a Netflix streaming debut before Hollywood heavyweight Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions stepped in and secured distribution rights to Dev Patel’s debut feature, Monkey Man is an impressive next evolution for the actor turned director/writer who here gifts us The Raid meets John Wick all awash in a distinctively Indian undertone. 

Inspired by the Hindu character Hanuman, Monkey Man allows Patel to showcase his Indian heritage (as well as his not too shabby butt-kicking abilities) in a low-budget affair that feels much bigger than its budget constraints as Patel’s nameless “kid” lives out a loveless existence as an underground masked fighter hellbent on revenge against the criminal and upper class that played a hand in the destruction of his childhood village and murder of his beloved mother. 

At it’s core a film we’ve seen done countless times before, jaded anti-hero takes up the mantle of one man army to bring corrupt and evildoers to a bloody justice but Patel ensures that Monkey Man does enough in the originality stakes to be considered a fresh take on a well-worn formula and while not everything he attempts to achieve pays off, when Monkey Man hits it hits hard and provides an undoubtedly wild time for viewers that can out up with its shaky cam action, far to frequent and intrusive flashbacks and narrative lulls that are particularly apparent in a sagging mid-section. 

Far from a fight a minute exercise that was prevalent in the aforementioned Raid and John Wick films and the Korean action films that helped inspire Patel’s debut, Monkey Man isn’t going to appease those wanting two hours plus of relentless and unwavering action violence but being built around two key action segments that are both extended in length and impressive in execution, the action in Patel’s feature is memorable and frenetic and is likely to place Monkey Man firmly in the conversation for the action film of 2024. 

Filled with moments that require viewers to forgive curious coincidences and leaps of faith, there are elements of Monkey Man that frustrate and hold it back from potential greatness but there’s enough here to suggest that Patel has showcased enough here in front of the camera and behind the camera to be very excited about the birth of a unique directional talent that can hopefully learn from his experience here to continue his progression in the industry. 

In an age where many films feel like mere imitators or box ticking exercises, Monkey Man feels like a fresh twist on a stale formula, making it a film that should be on the radars of genre fans and those looking for fun and often exciting cinematic experience.

Final Say – 

A brutal and inventive action film with an Indian vibe, Monkey Man’s social commentary and narrative may not always gel with its confronting bruise-filled violence but Dev Patel’s notable filmmaking debut is sure to win over its fair share of passionate fans regardless. 

3 1/2 passionate drummers out of 5