Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Neon Music
    • Home
    • News
    • Videos
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Trending
    • Events
    • About Neon Music
      • Partners
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Neon Music
    Home»Lifestyle»Monkey Man: Dev Patel’s Directorial Debut
    Lifestyle

    Monkey Man: Dev Patel’s Directorial Debut

    Tara PriceBy Tara PriceMarch 15, 2024Updated:September 1, 2025No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Monkey Man: Dev Patel’s Directorial Debut
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Monkey Man, an American action thriller, marks the directorial debut of the acclaimed actor, Dev Patel. This film, set to make waves in the movie industry, takes inspiration from many sources, including the infamous action film franchise, John Wick. The film weaves together elements of Indian mythology, urban grime, and the adrenaline-pumping scenes found in underground fight clubs.

    Behind the Scenes

    The creation of Monkey Man is largely credited to the creative genius of Dev Patel, who not only directed but also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Paul Angunawela and John Collee. This triumvirate showcased their exceptional writing skills, producing an engaging and thrilling narrative filled with tense fight scenes and a gripping revenge theme.

    The Inception

    The idea for Monkey Man was conceptualised by Dev Patel himself. His intention was to breathe new life into the action genre by merging it with elements of real trauma, genuine pain, and a touch of culture. This approach was designed to distance the film from the often-abused clichés of the action film industry.

    The Influence of John Wick

    The influence of the John Wick series on Monkey Man is undeniable. However, Patel’s film is not a mere copycat. While it embraces the revenge theme and intense fight scenes reminiscent of John Wick, it also infuses a unique flavour of Indian mythology and urban grime, creating a distinct identity for itself.

    Dev Patel’s Role

    Dev Patel in Monkey Man (2024)
    Dev Patel in Monkey Man (2024)

    As the director and co-writer, Dev Patel has played a vital role in shaping Monkey Man. He also stars as the lead character, named ‘Kid’, making his mark as an unlikely action hero. Kid’s character is not your typical invincible combat superstar. Instead, he’s a morose young man with a simmering rage, embarking on a personal odyssey of vengeance.

    The Cast

    Aside from Dev Patel, the cast of Monkey Man includes Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, and Makarand Deshpande. Each actor brings their own unique talent and persona to the film, contributing to its overall richness and depth.

    The Narrative

    The narrative of Monkey Man follows Kid, an anonymous young man, eking out a living in an underground fight club. Night after night, he dons a gorilla mask and gets beaten to a pulp by more popular fighters for cash. This grim existence is a result of Kid’s past traumas, primarily the brutal murder of his mother.

    The Revenge Theme

    The core of the narrative is Kid’s quest for revenge. Driven by the brutal death of his mother at the hands of a corrupt police officer, Kid embarks on a mission to settle the score. The officer, named Rana, is also responsible for the annihilation of Kid’s village, adding fuel to Kid’s desire for retribution.

    The Influence of The Ramayan

    The narrative is also heavily influenced by the Hindu epic “The Ramayan.” Specifically, it draws parallels with the deity Hanuman, representing strength and courage. This symbolic layer adds an extra dimension to the film, enhancing its cultural richness.

    The Action Sequences

    One of the standout features of Monkey Man is its intense action sequences. These are not your typical choreographed fight scenes. Instead, they are spontaneous and razor-sharp, with a real-world, hand-held feel. Some scenes feature Kid not only overpowering his adversaries but also getting overpowered himself. This realistic portrayal raises the stakes and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

    The Setting

    The setting of Monkey Man plays a significant role in amplifying the film’s gritty, raw vibe. The fictional city of Yatana, reminiscent of Mumbai, is portrayed in all its squalor and desperation. The dark, dingy lighting and volatile atmosphere contribute to the film’s overall sense of urban grime.

    The Journey to the Big Screen

    The journey of Monkey Man to the big screen was an interesting one. Originally backed by Netflix, the film was set to be a streaming exclusive. However, after Jordan Peele, the renowned filmmaker, saw the film, he believed it deserved a theatrical release. Peele acquired the film from Netflix under his production company, Monkeypaw Productions, and engineered a theatrical release with Universal Pictures.

    World Premiere and Release Date

    Monkey Man had its world premiere at the South by Southwest film festival on March 11, 2024. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States and United Kingdom on April 5, 2024.

    Reception and Ratings

    The reception of Monkey Man has been largely positive. On the popular review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an impressive rating of 88% based on 26 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film has a score of 69 out of 100, indicating generally favourable reviews.

    Conclusion

    Monkey Man is a promising action thriller that combines the best elements of the genre with a unique cultural infusion. With Dev Patel at the helm, both behind and in front of the camera, the film is set to leave a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. Whether it’s the unique narrative, the intense fight scenes, or the gritty portrayal of urban life, Monkey Man is an exciting addition to the action genre.

    From the influences of John Wick to the infusion of Indian mythology, the film presents a unique blend of elements that make it stand out. The revenge theme coupled with the characterisation of Kid, played by Dev Patel, makes it not just another action film but a narrative with depth and emotion.

    With a star-studded cast, including Sharlto Copley, Paul Angunawela, John Collee, and others, Monkey Man is a testament to the collaborative effort of a talented team. The film’s journey from Netflix to a theatrical release under Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is a testament to its potential.

    As the film is set to hit theatres on April 5, 2024, audiences worldwide are eagerly anticipating this unique action thriller. The positive reception and ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic further heighten the anticipation.

    In conclusion, Monkey Man is a film that redefines the action genre, infusing it with a unique cultural element and a compelling narrative. It’s a testament to Dev Patel’s skills as a director, writer, and actor and a must-watch for any action film enthusiast.

    You might also like:

    • Deadpool & Wolverine: A Record-Breaking Trailer and Epic Marvel Crossover
    • Godzilla Minus One: Streaming, Release Date, and All You Need to Know
    • The Best Sci-Fi Movies on Amazon Prime Video
    • From Comedy to Cosmos: Adam Sandlers Transformation in Spaceman
    • Evil Season 4: Everything You Need to Know
    Movies
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Tara Price

    Meme spotter. Trend translator. Slang decoder. Tara tracks the scroll and explains why it sticks.

    Related Posts

    25 Short Critical Thinking Exercises (Most take 5 minutes)

    October 1, 2025

    Fortnite x Music: Every Artist Partnership So Far — and How It’s Redefined Discovery

    September 30, 2025

    10 Best Horror-Thriller Movies on Netflix UK (Sept 2025)

    September 28, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Recent Posts
    • Doja Cat Vie Album Review: Full Tracklist, Standout Moments, and An Honest Look
    • Artemas “superstar” Lyrics Meaning & Review: Dark-Romance Pop That Hurts So Good (Lovercore era)
    • Ashnikko “Wet Like” (feat. COBRAH) Lyrics Meaning & Review: Consent, Power, and a Club-Hard Pop Rush
    • Kali Uchis ‘Sincerely,’ & ‘Sincerely: P.S.’ Lyrics & Album Review — Motherhood, Memory, and Glow
    • Dark Pop Artist Mitchell Zia Unveils Addictive New Single “nicotine”
    Recent Comments
    • Video Premiere: 'HURT' By Nate Simpson - Neon Music on Nate Simpson Set To Release His Exquisite New Single ‘HURT’
    • It's Time To Change - Musicians Support Time To Talk Day - Neon Music on Ambient Electronica In SK Shlomo’s ‘Look Away’ (Precept Remix)
    Archives
    • October 2025
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • June 2023
    • May 2023
    • April 2023
    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    Categories
    • Featured
    • Interviews
    • Lifestyle
    • Live Music Review
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Trending
    • Videos
    Meta
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org
    Recent Posts
    • Doja Cat Vie Album Review: Full Tracklist, Standout Moments, and An Honest Look October 4, 2025
    • Artemas “superstar” Lyrics Meaning & Review: Dark-Romance Pop That Hurts So Good (Lovercore era) October 4, 2025
    • Ashnikko “Wet Like” (feat. COBRAH) Lyrics Meaning & Review: Consent, Power, and a Club-Hard Pop Rush October 4, 2025
    • Kali Uchis ‘Sincerely,’ & ‘Sincerely: P.S.’ Lyrics & Album Review — Motherhood, Memory, and Glow October 3, 2025
    • Dark Pop Artist Mitchell Zia Unveils Addictive New Single “nicotine” October 3, 2025
    Tags
    Afrobeats Album alt-pop Angel Number Band Debut Drake Duo Electro-pop Electronic EP Folk Gen-Z & Gen-Alpha Slang Hip-Hop Indie indie-pop jazz Lana Del Rey Live Music London Meme Watch Movies music review Music Video Neon Music Lists & Rankings Neon Opinions & Columns New EP New Music New Single Numerology Pop Premiere producer R&B Rap rnb rock singer-songwriter Soul Summer Sunday Watch synth-pop Taylor Swift TV shows UK
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • PURCHASE
    © 2025 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.