Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
DocumentaryTube
Admit one · Blog

Monkey Man (2024): Is Dev Patel’s Action Thriller Worth Watching?

Dev Patel’s kinetic revenge thriller pairs bruising action with Hanuman-inspired imagery and political ambition. Here’s what to know before watching.
Opened Runtime3 min Written byDocumentaryTube Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Monkey Man is worth watching if you want a bruising, fast-moving revenge thriller with a clear point of view. Dev Patel stars as Kid, an underground fighter who sets out to avenge his mother, and makes a forceful feature directing debut. The film’s visceral action and Hanuman-inspired imagery give the familiar revenge premise a distinctive charge; its political and religious themes are more unevenly integrated.

What is Monkey Man about?

Kid, played by Dev Patel, makes money in an underground fight club while wearing a gorilla mask. He is an anonymous young man with a private purpose: to pursue revenge against corrupt leaders connected to his mother’s death. That premise, described in the film’s official synopsis, gives the story its forward drive without requiring a great deal of setup.

Patel is both the film’s lead actor and director. Universal says he directed it from an original story and a screenplay he wrote with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The Associated Press identifies it as Patel’s feature directing and screenwriting debut.

What makes the action stand out?

The film’s appeal rests heavily on Patel’s physical, kinetic approach to action. Kid’s fighting is central to the story rather than an interruption between plot points: the underground bouts establish his desperation, while his pursuit of revenge turns the violence into a personal and increasingly consequential struggle. Patel’s performance keeps the character’s anger and vulnerability close to the surface.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The result is a deliberately hard-edged thriller, not a light or bloodless adventure. Its stylized hand-to-hand combat may be the main draw for action fans, but the film also asks viewers to read that violence alongside its ideas about power and belief.

How does Hanuman figure into the film?

Monkey Man is inspired by the legend of Hanuman, whom production company Monkeypaw describes as an icon associated with strength and courage. That inspiration is not a claim that the film retells scripture. In an Associated Press interview, Patel said he saw parallels between Hindu mythology and familiar superhero imagery.

Patel described his original pitch as “a revenge film about faith.” He also told the AP: “Faith can be such a beautiful, powerful thing. It can bring us together. At its best, it should make us fight for each other instead of fighting against each other.” The film uses that idea to frame its action, though viewers should not expect every mythological reference to be explained or developed in the same way.

Does the film’s political ambition work?

The revenge plot also reaches toward broader questions of class and power. The Associated Press review reads the film as engaging with class uprising, political realities and Hindu contexts, and praises the debut as forceful. The same review says some of the metaphors and contexts do not fit smoothly into the story. That tension matters: Monkey Man is ambitious about what its action can mean, but not every thematic turn lands with equal clarity.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Jordan Peele, founder of Monkeypaw Productions, told the AP, “I felt passionately that it was demanding to be on the big screen.” The large-scale intent is evident in the film’s intensity; whether its ideas feel fully integrated will depend on how much thematic roughness a viewer is willing to accept alongside the action.

How long is Monkey Man, and is it suitable for children?

The Associated Press gives the runtime as 121 minutes. The British Board of Film Classification lists 121 minutes 29 seconds for its UK record. These are distinct listings, so the exact displayed runtime may vary slightly by source or version.

In the United States, the film is rated R for strong bloody violence, language, sexual content/nudity and drug use, according to Universal’s home-release notice; the AP also reports that rating and descriptors. It is not a suitable pick for young children or viewers seeking mild action.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Where can you watch it?

Availability depends on country and changes over time, so check your local streaming or rental service for a current listing. Apple TV and Prime Video have title pages, but their existence does not establish that the film is currently available to stream or rent in every region.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Monkey Man | Dev Patel | Region Free
  • Blu-ray Movies, Blu-ray TV Shows

For U.S. home release, Universal announced digital availability on June 11, 2024, followed by 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on June 25, 2024. Those announcement dates do not confirm present retailer stock, price, or which bonus features are included in a particular edition. Check the live listing for your region and format before buying. Universal announced home-video bonus content including an extended preview and featurettes.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Monkey Man | Dev Patel | Region Free
Monkey Man | Dev Patel | Region Free
Blu-ray Movies, Blu-ray TV Shows
$23.10

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Screening Room

  1. The Most Action-Packed Disney Animated Movies, RankedAdmit one · BlogThe Most Action-Packed Disney Animated Movies, RankedOpened08 OCT 2026Runtime4 min
  2. Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal Team Up in Guy Ritchie’s *In the Grey*: Trailer, Cast and Release DetailsAdmit one · BlogHenry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal Team Up in Guy Ritchie's *In the Grey*: Trailer, Cast and Release DetailsOpened13 SEP 2026Runtime3 min
  3. “Ballerina” is streaming on HBO Max—where to watch the “John Wick” spin-off at homeAdmit one · Blog“Ballerina” is streaming on HBO Max-where to watch the “John Wick” spin-off at homeOpened10 AUG 2026Runtime9 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.