Miss Neon Action Flicks Like 'John Wick'? Watch This Dev Patel Gem With 89% on RT

Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, was released in 2024. Known for his roles in Slumdog Millionaire and The Green Knight, Patel created a film that combines furious fights, Indian culture, and political satire.

What Is 'Monkey Man' About?

In the city of Yatana, where poverty is so severe that it borders on starvation, a nameless man barely makes ends meet by doing odd jobs. At night, he enters an underground wrestling ring wearing a gorilla mask. His goal is to earn money and get closer to exacting revenge.

As a child, he witnessed the brutal murder of his mother by Police Chief Rana on the orders of religious leader Baba Shakti. Now, the man finds a job at a bar frequented by the city's high society and slowly begins to carry out his bloody revenge plan.

'Monkey Man' Is a Masterful Blend of Brutal Action and Social Commentary

Monkey Man adds a social context to the story: the village where the boy was born was destroyed on the orders of a rising religious leader to make way for a megafactory.

Shakti serves a corrupt politician whose slogans echo those of famous populists. Against this backdrop, Patel broadcasts real news reports documenting aggression and chaos in society.

Even the name of the city, Yatana, translates from Hindi as "torture." The boy becomes the product of a tormented people and a true national hero who brings to life the myth of the monkey god Hanuman.

Patel deliberately weaves Hindu motifs into the plot, handling the culture with care and thoroughness. The movie's India is tangible, whether in its glittering skyscrapers or its slums permeated with the smells of sweat and masala.

'Monkey Man' Is More Human & Socially Charged Than You Might Expect From a Typical Action Film

When it comes to action scenes, Monkey Man differs from John Wick and similar action flicks in its moderation and humanity – Patel doesn't have a background in stunts, so while the fights are brutal, they are slow.

However, the director makes up for this with the length and emotional intensity of the action scenes – the first significant fight scene lasts 15 minutes.

While many critics have spoken of a revolution in the genre, it's perhaps more accurate to call Monkey Man a post-action film – a subgenre that is more soulful, sensual, and culturally engaged, and that embraces brutality without shying away from humanity.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Monkey Man'?

• Monkey Man has 89% from critics and 81% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.8/10.

• On Letterboxd, Monkey Man scored 3.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Monkey Man'?

Monkey Man is available to stream on Peacock.