Behind The Scenes of Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’
Written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee
*All Media in this article is courtesy Universal Pictures
Photo via Universal Pictures
"Monkey Man," released by Universal Pictures, made a significant impact during its first box office weekend, grossing over $12.7 million across more than 3,000 theaters, securing its position as the second-highest grossing film domestically (Godzilla X Kong was No.1). This film marks the directorial debut of Dev Patel, who also stars in the lead role. "Monkey Man" draws inspiration from legendary Hindu figure Hanuman, following protagonist ‘Kid"‘, a young man who, after years of enduring hardship and trauma, embarks on a path of retribution against the city's sinister elite who have wronged him. The narrative weaves through his underground fight club battles, his strategic moves to infiltrate the elite's circle, and his explosive campaign for vengeance, making for a compelling tale of resilience and justice. This article will break down the movie with interviews from the creators, film clips a plot synopsis, cast overview and links to popular news articles about the project.
‘Monkey Man’ Cast & Crew Interviews
Monkey Man Official Trailer
Photo via Universal Pictures
Plot Synopsis
In a remote forest village tucked away in the heart of India, an unnamed child and his mother Neela, share stories of the monkey god Hanuman. Somewhere, in a nearby city, a terrible spiritual guru named Baba Shakati, sends Rana Singh, a corrupt chief police officer to Neela's village to force the entire village out and acquire their land. The entire village is massacred, leaving blood and bodies in their wake. Neela tries to hide her son from the corruptors, attempting to fight for her life, though they overpower her. Rana kills Neela and badly scars the child’s hands. The child escapes as his home and mother are burned to the ground.
Featurette: ‘A Look Inside’ | Video via Universal Pictures
Many years later, the child, or Kid as he is more commonly referred to, is living in Yatan. He is an underground fighter, all dressed in a signature monkey mask. He fights at an establishment at Tigers Temple, a dark and violent underground boxing club where losing blood is encouraged. Here, he bides his time to plot revenge on Baba Shakati, the person responsible for the death of his mother and the destruction of his home and village. We learn that Baba has amassed a cult following and political influence and Rana Singh, the chief of police, now frequents a luxury brothel run by someone named Queeie Kapoor, who also happens to push drugs and prostitutes women to the elites. Kid attempts to infiltrate the brothel by having Queenie Kapoor’s wallet stolen only to return it himself in exchange for a job in the brothel kitchen. It’s here that Kid assumes the name ‘Bobby’ and befriends Alphonso, a gangster on Queenie Kapoor’s payroll.
Featurette: ‘In Conversation’ | Video via Universal Pictures
‘Bobby’, aka ‘Kid’ grows close to Alphonso, revealing to him his life as a fighter and helping him win a large bet in exchange for another promotion at the brothel. This gives him closer proximity to the police officer Rana Sigh. Kid meets a prostitute named Sita, who encourages Kid to get out of the brothel- it isn’t a safe place to work. Kid is unphased by the advice and buys a gun while also training a stray dog to carry said gun past brothel security. Kid spikes Rana Sigh’s cocaine with cleaning powder and finally confronts Rana, the man who killed his mother. He tries to shoot Rana but fails and Kid is forced to fight his way out of the brothel.
‘Monkey Man’ Film Clip: ‘Kitchen Fight’ | Video via Universal Pictures
After fleeing the brothel in Alphonso’s tuk-tuk, Kid crashes and is arrested, though he quickly escapes. The police follow closely in pursuit as Kid makes his way through the city, almost being thwarted by an ax-wielding pimp. The police shoot Kid during a rooftop chase, badly wounding him. He is rescued by someone named Alpha, a keeper of a temple of Ardhanarishvara ( translates to the half-female Lord), whose transgendered community is currently being harassed and targeted by Baba’s growing political movements across India. Alpha then guides Kidd through a hallucinogenic drug trip, trying to help Kid control the trauma of his mother’s death and the eradication of his village, all while encouraging him to train himself in combat with purpose. Alpha explains to Kid that their sanctuary is threatened and dangerously low in funds. Kid decides to fight once again in Tiger’s Temple, placing a bet on himself, emerging victorious with enough money to save Alpha’s beloved temple.
‘Monkey Man’ Film Clip: ‘The Kid tells Alphonso he’s going to lose a fight’ | Video via Universal Pictures
During the celebration of Diwalii, Baba’s candidate for election is a man named Adesh Joshi. Their party of nationalists celebrate at the brothel. Kid sneaks his way inside with weapons and fireworks for distraction, though he is quickly surrounded by Queenie’s cohorts, though Alpha and her warriors arrive to help. Queenie is murdered and Kid beats Rana to death in a fistfight. Using Quennie’s now severed thumb to access the elite penthouse, Kid finally confronts Baba. Though before Kid can do much of anything, Baba mortally wounds Kid with secret blades hidden in his padukas. Though badly wounded, Kid manages to stab Baba through the forehead, finally avenging the death of his mother. Kid collapses from his wounds, his final thoughts on his mother and his devotion to Hanuman, and dies, finally at peace.
Monkey Man: Cast Breakdown with IMDB Links
This section offers a snapshot of the principal actors in "Monkey Man," accompanied by their respective roles and links to their IMDb profiles. Notable performances include Dev Patel as "Kid," a masked fighter in the underground boxing world; Sharlto Copley as "Tiger," an ally in Kid's quest for vengeance; and Pitobash as "Alphonso," a key figure in the brothel Kid infiltrates. The cast also features Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, and others, each bringing depth and nuance to this gritty, action-packed narrative.
Dev Patel - "Kid” | Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris - © 2015 Getty Images
Sharlto Copley - “Tiger” | Photo by Barry King - © 2017 Barry King
Pitobash - “Alphonso'“ | Photo by Alex J. Berliner - © ABImages
Vipin Sharma - “Alpha” | Photo via IMDB
Sikandar Kher - “Rana” | Photo via IMDB
Sobhita Dhulipala - “Sita” | Photo via IMDB
Ashwini Kalsekar - “Queenie” | Photo by Hamara Photos
Adithi Kalkunte - “Neela” | Photo via IMDB
Makarand Deshpande - “Baba Shakti” | Photo via IMDB
‘Monkey Man’ In The Media
"Monkey Man" has garnered attention from a wide array of media outlets, highlighting its unique place in cinema as both a thrilling action movie and a directorial debut for Dev Patel. Coverage ranges from the studied execution of its revenge thriller plot to discussions about its political allegories and the anticipation it has generated for Patel's future in directing. The film's themes, performances, and directorial choices have sparked conversations across major publications, underscoring its impact and the broader conversations it prompts about culture, identity, and the genre itself.
The Verge - Monkey Man is a studied execution of the brutal revenge thriller
Independent - Why has the India release of Dev Patel’s Monkey Man been delayed?
Hindustan Times - Dev Patel says he was ‘ashamed’ of his Indian heritage in school, tried to correct that with Monkey Man
Jacobin - Monkey Man Packs a Wild Punch
CinemaBlend - I’ve Seen Monkey Man, And Here’s Why It Has Me Very Excited For Dev Patel’s Directing Career
Variety - ‘Monkey Man’ Star Vipin Sharma on Playing a Trans Role in Dev Patel’s Directorial Debut: ‘He Saw Me as a Female Character’
Guardian - Monkey Man review – Dev Patel directs and stars in a bloody revenge thriller
Roger Ebert - ‘Monkey Man’
New York Times - ‘Monkey Man’ Review: Vengeance Is His
CNN - Opinion: ‘Monkey Man’ knocks James Bond out of the ring
The Wrap - How ‘Monkey Man’ Went From Netflix Roadkill to Universal’s Theatrical Event
Time - Monkey Man Is a Jumbled Parable Made With Heart
The Hollywood Reporter - Box Office: ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Squashes ‘Monkey Man’ and ‘First Omen’ With $31.7M
SF Gate - 'Monkey Man' is absolutely brutal
Associated Press - Movie Review: Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’ is a political allegory bathed in blood
Indie Wire - Original Movies, Meet the Resistance: ‘Monkey Man’ and ‘The First Omen’ Underwhelm Box Office
Deadline - ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Jumps To $31M+; ‘Monkey Man’ Sees $10M+ & ‘The First Omen’ Still Jinxed With $8M+ – Sunday Box Office
Collider - ‘Monkey Man’ Has Muted Global Box Office Debut Despite Online Buzz
Axios - "Monkey Man" surpasses $10 million in first weekend domestic box office sales
Men’s Journal - Dev Patel’s Monkey Man Hits Big at the Box Office on Opening Weekend
Screen Rant - Monkey Man Box Office Wins No. 2 Spot As Dev Patel's Action Movie Embraces Theater Release
Conclusion
"Monkey Man" stands as a testament to Dev Patel's multifaceted talent, not only showcasing his acting prowess but also marking his successful foray into directing. The film's blend of traditional legend with contemporary storytelling captures the essence of Hanuman's strength and courage through the lens of Kid's journey for justice. Its significant box office success and the wide media coverage reflect the film's resonance with audiences and critics alike, making it a noteworthy addition to the landscape of modern cinema. To dive into more movie breakdowns, make sure to check out our official movie blog!
