Monkey Man First Reviews: Dev Patel's Film Gets Rave Reviews, Standing Ovation

British actor Dev Patel’s directorial venture, ‘Monkey Man’ is earning praise not only for his stellar acting but also for his directorial talent.

Dev Patel’s directorial venture, ‘Monkey Man’ is earning praises

Source : IMDb

New Delhi: British actor Dev Patel’s directorial venture, ‘Monkey Man’ is getting rave reviews from all quarters. In the vigilante action-thriller, where Patel takes on the titular role, he is earning praise not only for his stellar acting but also for his directorial talent. The film has received positive reviews on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. 

Rotten Tomatoes rating
'Monkey Man' has achieved an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian's positive review describes it as a "brooding, bruising revenge film whose arc is more one of capability than redemption." According to Rolling Stone, while the film at times feels like a "rough, earnest fan film," it also hints that if Patel's directorial technique matches his passion for the genre, he will be a formidable force. 

Indie Wire's review calls 'Monkey Man"’ a "free-for-all of headrush filmmaking," acknowledging its strong "badass factor." The Hollywood Reporter commends Patel's performance, stating, "Patel makes a fine hero," noting his consistent charm and growth since his breakthrough role in 'Slumdog Millionaire.' 

However, Variety's review offers a less favourable perspective, stating that while Patel aims for realism, the film lacks depth and succumbs to "dark-side-of-Mumbai longueurs along with fashionably jagged cinematography." 

IMDb rating
On IMDb, 'Monkey Man' boasts an impressive 8.8 score. Praise for Patel's performance and the film's storytelling is evident in user reviews. One user commends the film as more than just a "bloody good time," highlighting Patel's storytelling finesse that weaves personal tragedy with inner strength, and mythology with modern political revolutions. 

Social media reactions echo the sentiment, with users describing the movie as "EPIC" and hailing Patel's action prowess.  

Inspired by the legend of Lord Hanuman, 'Monkey Man' is set in Mumbai and features Patel as Kid, a man on a quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimise the poor and powerless. 

Monkey Man gets a standing ovation
The film also received a standing ovation at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival leaving him visibly emotional as he expressed gratitude with folded hands.  

Dev Patel receives a standing ovation after a #SXSW screening of his feature directorial debut "Monkey Man." pic.twitter.com/OcpjhByVSu

— Variety (@Variety) March 12, 2024

‘Monkey Man' also features a strong ensemble cast, including Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Aditi Kalkunthe, and Makarand Deshpande in key roles.