Dev Patel Delivers in ‘Monkey Man’
Dev Patel in Monkey Man | Credit: Universal Pictures
Monkey Man follows a man (Dev Patel) as he seeks revenge on the people who murdered his mother and forced his community off of their land.
This film is a blast to watch! The action set pieces are well choreographed and filmed in a way that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the action. Instead of relying primarily on guns, we see fighters utilizing any object available — wine bottles, chair legs, even a chunky heel to inflict the most damage possible.
This style of action allows for more creativity in the fight choreography and sound design. While watching a fight toward the end of the film, I was amazed at the diversity of sounds that we hear: the slice of a knife, the thunk of a wooden chair leg, the crack of glass. Each fight sounds so different because the weapons that are available to the characters are different.
The sound design is paired with creative cinematography that helps immerse you in the fight. The camera boldly sweeps in and out of the action and gives us a clear view of the punches and kicks being thrown. Especially in that final sweeping fight, we transition through various rooms and each one looks completely different from the other. And the camera confidently follows the protagonist as he prepares for the next fight.
Monkey Man is a solid action film and an incredible directorial debut from Dev Patel who also co-wrote, produced, and stars in this film. The choices he made both on and off the screen are impressive and show the talent of this beloved actor.
Dev Patel and Pitobash in Monkey Man | Credit: Universal Pictures
Monkey Man isn’t just another action film that relies on spectacle over story. Instead, there is a solid emotional core that grounds everything our nameless protagonist does.
As the film progresses, we learn more about his tragic backstory and how that has influenced who he has become. We are taken into glimpses of his memories with his mother as they spend time in the forest near their home. These peaceful and serene moments are contrasted with the underground fighting arenas the protagonist spends a lot of his time in.
The income inequality in India is highlighted as we navigate from the poorer areas where the protagonist lives to the luxurious buildings where his enemies spend their time. The corrupt elite in this film are in positions of authority and are well-known throughout the city. They hold the power, so there’s nothing that anyone can do, which is the perfect recipe for a revenge action film like this.
Monkey Man is also tied in with Hinduism as our protagonist’s journey is patterned after Hanuman, a Hindu deity that is worshipped by many. I love this choice! This isn’t a generic action movie with a protagonist who just happens to be Indian. This film is wrapped in Indian culture and religious practices. This connection to place and culture, I think, is so valuable in making this film feel more real.
As our nameless protagonist embarks on his quest for vengeance the film touches on a number of themes that are really relevant to our world today. We see the way that land is stolen from indigenous communities, the wealth gap between the haves and the have-nots, and the way that mixing of religious and political power is dangerous. There’s commentary on the destruction of our planet and dangerous laws against trans people.
There is plenty of substance to this action-packed revenge film.
Dev Patel in Monkey Man | Credit: Universal Pictures
Monkey Man is an action thriller, but it’s also so much more than that. It’s an exploration of grief and trauma and the power of belonging. The film has things to say about issues that people are facing in India and around the world.
Dev Patel gives a great performance in front of the camera and shows his talents behind the camera as well. This isn’t the Indian John Wick; it’s so much more!