‘Monkey Man’ Review: Dev Patel Triumphs in Directorial Debut

Monkey Man is a movie unlike any you have seen before.

It’s an aptly 18+-rated movie with a relentless whirlwind of raw energy and unyielding vengeance, propelled by Dev Patel’s debut as director.

Drawing inspiration from the legendary figure of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey deity synonymous with strength and courage, the film plunges viewers into a gritty underworld.

Here, Kid, portrayed with colossal intensity by Patel, navigates a brutal landscape of underground fight clubs and corrupt elites in the fictional city of Yatana.

Guaranteed to draw sharp breaths, Monkey Man is a brooding, bruising revenge film that eschews the conventions of the genre, opting instead for a more introspective exploration of trauma and resilience.

Patel’s portrayal of Kid is mesmerising, his silent determination and magnetic presence anchoring the film amidst its frenetic pace.

Storyline

The narrative unfolds with Kid, masked as a gorilla, enduring beatings night after night in the fight ring, a grim existence that serves as a haunting reminder of his tragic past.

Driven by a seething fury ignited by the murder of his mother and fuelled by a desire for justice, Kid embarks on a relentless quest for retribution against those who have wronged him.

As Kid’s journey unfolds, Patel deftly explores themes of power, corruption, and redemption against the backdrop of a fictional Indian city teeming with societal decay.

Along with this, the iconic party song, ‘Mundian to Bach Ke’ by Punjabi MC and Jay-Z, plays in the background at one point.

In his quest for vengeance, Kid finds unexpected allies among the hijras, a marginalised community of “third-gender” warriors who provide him with both sanctuary and training.

This alliance adds depth to Kid’s character and introduces layers of cultural nuance.

Although some viewers may find the film’s exploration of Hinduism and Indian subcultures challenging to fully grasp.

Patel endeavours to take the heat off the incessant violence by placing Zakir Hussain’s cameo amongst the hijras, however there seems to be no plausible explanation for his presence.

Nevertheless, rhythmic tabla beats played by the maestro himself accompany Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’.

This harmony with Patel’s knuckle-breaking punches to a rice-filled boxing bag is inventive and portrays gully boy Patel’s journey to fighting champion extraordinaire.

Performances

Aside from Dev Patel the other actors have done the needful and ticked all the boxes.

Queenie Ashwini Kalsekar as Queenie, manager of a high-end brothel does justice to her brief role.

Sobhita Dhulipala as Sita is an alluring escort at Queenie’s club who catches Kid’s eye but isn’t given much characterisation besides having a tattoo indicating a rural upbringing.

Sikandar Kher is top-notch as corrupt police officer Rana, the embodiment of evil who killed his mother.

Meanwhile, Makarand Deshpande is Baba Shakti, a power-hungry guru-cum-politician who masks land grabs in the language of spiritual wisdom.

Vipin Sharma as Alpha, the leader of the hijra community commands screen presence and has given a brilliant supporting performance.

Pitobash as Alphonso, does the short sidekick role as a street hustler while Sharlto Copley plays dubious Tiger who runs the underground fighting ring.

Direction & Execution

Monkey Man is Dev Patel’s movie with him at the helm for story, direction and production.

The screenplay is by Patel, Paul Angunawela, and John Collee.

Monkey Man was to hit a streaming platform directly but Jordan Peele was mighty impressed and decided to co-produce and bring it to the cinemas in partnership with Universal Pictures.

You will have no choice but to surrender to Whiplash and Silent Night cinematographer Sharone Meir’s revolutionary but overwhelming visuals.

While Monkey Man occasionally falters in its narrative coherence, Patel’s directorial vision remains captivating.

Particularly noteworthy are its visceral hand-to-hand combat sequences and immersive portrayal of Kid’s journey towards mastery.

The film’s visual style, a potent blend of gritty realism and stylised action, keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, even as its grim tone weighs heavily on the proceedings.

Monkey Man is a bold and uncompromising debut from Dev Patel where he has tried to create a masterpiece determined to leave no stone unturned.

While its unrelenting violence may not be for everyone, those with a taste for visceral action will find much to admire.

A willingness to delve into its thematic depths reveals a haunting odyssey of strength, courage, and the enduring power of the human spirit.