“Monkey Man” is a film with many impressive attributes. However, what perhaps impressed me most was reading about the film’s fraught production and gauging a deeper understanding of just how important this film was to Dev Patel. This shines through in every aspect of production. Patel is typically outstanding in the lead role, but serving as a producer and a co-writer, on top of this being his directorial debut, is utterly astonishing. This means that the film is in competent hands from start to finish, and whilst many might write this off as simply “John Wick but in India,” it extends far beyond that and is easily one of the best action films of the decade.
Monkey Man’s opening is explosive, efficiently conveying everything we need to know about the protagonist, Kid, and shrewdly signposting us to the key ideas that will be explored throughout the two-hour pure adrenaline rush of this film. The action holds nothing back and is suitably abrasive, charged with a raw grit to match the depraved world around it. Boasting the kind of hand-to-hand choreography that few modern blockbusters can master, it captivates and nauseates in equal parts, never tiring due to the variety and innovation on display.
Yet it is all grounded in solid character work, as we constantly find pathos in Kid’s struggle, desperate for him to succeed whilst perpetually aware of the dire consequences should he fail. Exposition subtly leaks through, thanks to visual motifs, and forces us to actively question his motivations throughout, encouraging us to dwell on the complexities of violence the film aims to convey. Unlike many action films of this ilk, the violence isn’t gratuitous or glorified but handled carefully, as we are treated to nuance meditations of where violence stems from and whether violence is really ever the answer. Like most great films, “Monkey Man” does not deliver answers but rather provokes contemplation, allowing one to find satisfaction in the irresolution.
The film also grounds itself in a distinct culture, with every piece of Mumbai impeccably realized and brought to life. From the serene rural temple to the lavish clubs and the derelict slums, the setting provides a distinct energy to the film, and its vibrant, dynamic nature matches the punchiness of the storytelling. Despite being his debut, Patel demonstrates himself assuredly capable of framing and constructing not only great action but a superb visual palette in general. At many points, the film is ugly but deliberately so and packed with shots that subtly indicate deeper meaning and beg for analysis. One must be very grateful for Jordon Peele seeing its potential and acquiring it for theatrical release, as it is quite the spectacle that demands a large screen for its full effect to wash over you.
Religion, myth, wealth, and politics are all challenged in fascinating ways. “Monkey Man” intelligently deconstructs the interplay between these ideas and how they are both what suppresses the lowest of society and the key to their freedom. Kid is literally and metaphorically beaten down by a society that paradoxically seeks to maintain his low status through cooperation but is hell-bent on keeping him afraid. It is only through channeling this fear that he can become stronger. His scorched hands are a symbol of this oppression, and he must learn to use them to escape. Notably, his hands aren’t healed by his endeavors, and they never will be. Whether the film’s end is meant to be read as a positive one is ambiguous.
It would be naive not to recognize some of Monkey Man’s flaws, however. The film somewhat lacks characterization outside of Kid. Many, especially the antagonists, lack a moral complexity, and others are underserved by their lack of narrative focus, dropped in favor of other ideas. Additionally, the film’s pacing is slightly off at points, moving at such a breakneck speed, resulting in a rushed and jarring move from the more meditative act two and the climactic act three. Simply, it loses steam towards the middle as some of the most important aspects of character development are thrust on the audience without really providing time to process them.
Also Read: 10 Great Action Movies Like John Wick Franchise
These flaws never detract from the sensation of “Monkey Man.” Anchored by the restrained yet commanding Dev Patel, who also lends a clear visual vision for the film, it results in a very cohesive final product. It knows exactly what it wants to say, communicating complex ideas clearly while allowing the audience room to think about them outside of the immediate contexts of the plot. Overall, “Monkey Man” knows what it wants to be and delivers one of the most impressive action thrillers in recent memory.
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