Directed by Dev Patel
Starring Dev Patel, Pitobash, Ashwini Kalsekar, Sikandar Kher, and Sharlto Copley

A new hero, of sorts, enters the silver screen in Monkey Man. The hero is not made by Marvel, isn’t a descendant of DC and is not adapted from any comic books or video games. A passion project from versatile actor Dev Patel, broadening and asserting his strengths here as both a bona fide action lead and first-time feature film director, Monkey Man has its roots deep in Indian mythology and is most accurately described as John Wick in Mumbai.

Our unnamed titular protagonist, played by Dev Patel, dons a monkey mask and fights inside the ring under his employer (Sharlto Copley) to earn a living. The fight he is really gearing up for, however, is an extremely personal one that will take place outside of the ring. As the film’s flashbacks quickly establish, our ‘Monkey Man’ has suffered a traumatic past that has taken the lives of people he loved. Those responsible not only escaped any and all forms of conviction and accountability but are now in positions of greater power and wealth than before and continue to oppress others they consider beneath them. The time has come for someone to not just stand up to these despicable beings, but to singlehandedly bring down the system that enables and protects their existence and to execute some sweet vengeance in the process.

This new hero, or sorts, can consider himself very fortunate for making it to the silver screen. It was originally set for a straight-to-streaming release on Netflix until director Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us, Nope) saw the film and acquired it from Netflix via his production company (aptly called Monkeypaw productions!). Like John Wick, Monkey Man effectively immerses viewers into its atmospheric world through its use of lighting, music score, production and set designs, camerawork, and editing. I’m conscious that the more similarities to John Wick that are said, the more this film and perhaps even my review will sound like a copy and paste job. While the inescapable truth is Monkey Man does possess John Wick’s one-man bravura battery and is also infectiously stylistic, it meaningfully incorporates culture into its story and action sequences. Our male protagonist may be motivated by vengeance, but he is also driven by Hanuman, a god who is revered for valour, strength, and discipline. The use of colour in costume design during some fighting scenes and a couple of rickshaws (or Tuk Tuks if you prefer) set-piece sequences are more examples of how Monkey Man best manifests its Mumbai setting. 

Regardless of just how much this action-thriller with a random sense of humour is akin to John Wick barely mattered to me. What did matter though were a few key developments in the plot that lack credibility and a pacing hurdle it hits midway through. While I can’t be too specific in elaborating on those plot points, I can say some unanswered questions form as our protagonist goes from one position or location to another. This is especially important to enforce what it would like us to believe of its antagonists. The pacing issue consists of a noticeable flat patch it hits post a prolonged and earlier intense several minutes that gets the adrenalin running on high. Thankfully, it overcomes this and gets the adrenalin pumping all over again as it approaches its climatic and satisfying finale.

Monkey Man is showing in cinemas across Australia from April 4th.

Moviedoc thanks Universal Films for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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