My quick rating - 7.0/10. That was one wild, blood-pumping ride of a movie, and that isn't my sarcasm saying so. Monkey Man, produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Dev Patel, who also takes the lead as the mysterious fighter known simply as Kid, delivers a raw, emotional, and occasionally bone-crunching experience. Set in the shadowy corners of an unnamed Indian city, the film drops us into Kid’s underground world, where he makes ends meet by letting people beat the living hell out of him in illegal fight clubs while wearing a gorilla mask. Because, you know, dignity is optional when rent’s due.
Underneath the sweat and blood is a deeper story of trauma and revenge. Patel weaves a layered story of a man who has been stepped upon one too many times, until finally, it's payback season. When Kid finds a way into the inner circle of the city’s corrupt elite, all that pent-up fury explodes, and his scarred hands turn into the kind of problem money can’t bribe away.
What really makes Monkey Man stand out, though, is the action. The fight choreography is absolutely top-notch, with every punch, kick, and improvised weapon feeling genuine. There’s an intensity that reminds me of The Raid 2, especially during a spectacular kitchen fight that practically begs for a replay. I was glad the camera work never loses focus, letting the choreography speak for itself instead of hiding it behind shaky cuts. The chase scenes hit just as hard, throwing in bursts of chaos that kept me glued to the screen.
The revenge story, while nothing particularly new, is well-told with emotional weight thanks to flashbacks that give Kid some real character depth. You actually feel why he’s doing what he’s doing, which is more than can be said for half the action heroes out there. Yeah, I thought a few moments were predictable and the film does dip into familiar territory now and then, but honestly, when the storytelling and the direction are this tight, who’s complaining?
And the soundtrack isn't bad either. Each track strikes the right emotional cue, never too little, never too much. Patel is magnetic on-screen, balancing quiet vulnerability and explosive rage in a way that's riveting from start to finish. The supporting characters add some colorful flavor along the way, and the urban backdrops feel lived-in rather than dressed-up.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical going in. Dev Patel directing an action revenge film sounded like one of those “this could either be genius or chaos” situations. Thankfully, it’s much closer to the first. Monkey Man is a smart, stylish, and brutally satisfying action flick that proves Patel’s got serious chops behind and in front of the camera. For action junkies, this one’s worth your time, and maybe a second viewing just to appreciate how clean those punches land.
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