Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” is a thrilling action movie about a man seeking revenge against those who wronged him. Initially intended for Netflix, Universal acquired it for a reported $10 million. The film was directed and starred by Patel, earning critical acclaim for its intense action, garnering a Certified Fresh score of 88% from critics and 84% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Monkey Man” was inspired by the Indian legend of Lord Hanuman and tells the story of Kid, a young man donning a gorilla mask, fighting in an underground fight club in a fictional Indian city. Toughened by years of taking punches for cash, Kid turns his pent-up rage against the city’s elite, avenging those who stripped him of all he had as a boy, including his mother.
Although “Monkey Man” received very positive reviews and comparisons to the John Wick franchise, it struggled at the box office, grossing around $28 million worldwide in three weeks. However, it will make its exclusive streaming debut on Peacock on June 14, giving audiences another chance to view this passion project.
“Monkey Man” features an ensemble cast, including Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, and Sobhita Dhulipala, among others. Despite its struggles at the box office, “Monkey Man” is still worth watching for its staggeringly impressive action and compelling storyline.