MOVIE REVIEW – Dev Patel’s latest project, Monkey Man, is not merely another entry in the action thriller genre; it is a deeply political allegory drenched in blood. Making his directorial and screenwriting debut, Patel doesn’t settle for mere spectacle and heart-pounding action. He digs deeper, guiding his audience through the dense jungle of social issues with a keen eye on India’s complex caste system.

What has become of the innocent youth from Skins and Lion? The new Dev Patel embraces the challenge, unveiling a chaos in Mumbai that, in its audacity and sheer brutality, may well be considered one of the most hard-hitting mainstream action films in recent years. In both the director’s chair and as the protagonist, Patel reveals an unexplored side of himself, where he quite literally takes on the gangsters with a raw, merciless confrontation.

A Transformation Behind the Monkey Mask

The slender, earnest boy from Slumdog Millionaire has matured into a protagonist of intense and refined sensitivity. For those who haven’t followed Patel through Lion, The Personal History of David Copperfield, or The Green Knight, his latest film, Monkey Man, might come as a shock.

Just like Slumdog Millionaire, Monkey Man is set in Mumbai and carries the enchantment of a fable. Yet, its mood and visual presentation couldn’t be more different. For Patel, Monkey Man is more than just another film; it’s a debut soaked in blood and rage, where he takes the storytelling into his own hands.

The Indian John Wick Reloaded

Dev Patel’s Monkey Man boldly steps out of the conventional action film shadow, opening a new dimension for genre enthusiasts. Drawing obvious inspiration from the John Wick series, the film takes a unique and daring twist when the protagonist – much like Keanu Reeves’ character – embarks on a vendetta. However, Patel seasons this narrative with a realistic viewpoint and a substantial political message. Monkey Man isn’t just an action-packed hero’s tale but an epic that weaves Hindu mythology with contemporary social issues in India, spotlighting the world of corrupt police and morally dubious elites.

The film begins with the story of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, who, stripped of his power, returns stronger than ever. This narrative perfectly mirrors the journey of Patel’s anonymous ‘Boy,’ who dons a monkey mask and initially fights for low stakes. Sharlto Copley’s character, an underworld impresario, promises a blood bounty, marking just the beginning of the ‘Boy’s’ trials. The real challenge lies in how he navigates the criminal web to infiltrate a syndicate and exact his revenge.

The storyline takes an intriguing turn as the ‘Boy’ – far from being the ultimate killing machine – starts his preparations for the mysterious retribution with cunning and crafty deception. Perhaps inspired by The Raid, known for its brutal violence, Patel’s hero must fight his way through the maze-like corridors and stairwells of a towering building to infiltrate a secret club where the country’s corrupt elite congregates. This journey is not merely a physical ordeal but also a series of spiritual trials, through which the protagonist discovers his true strength.

In the Maze of Vengeance

Occasionally, the film’s depth is densely interwoven with flashbacks that delve into the protagonist’s rural childhood and the tragic death of his mother, Adithi Kalkunte. Yet, the true power of Monkey Man lies in its relentless exposure of the vulnerabilities within Indian society, showing how the wealthy, spiritual leaders, and police collude to disenfranchise the poor.

The film is more than a chronicle of social injustices; it brings heart and soul to the narrative through a special subplot focusing on India’s hijras, a marginalized transgender community. Far from being mere victims of this manipulative system, they emerge as active, defining characters in Patel’s film, shaping their own destinies.

Monkey Man stands out among action films not just for its story and character portrayal but also for incorporating bold LGBTQ+ action scenes, enriching the genre’s boundaries. Meanwhile, the film indulges its viewers with authentic Indian flavors, from the thrilling chase in a turbocharged rickshaw to the vibrant colors of Mumbai’s nightlife captured by the constantly moving camera. Though the rapid cuts of certain action scenes occasionally verge on excess, causing a buzz in the viewer’s head, it seems that was precisely Dev Patel’s intention.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-