Pop culture is full of stories about the self-destructive nature of revenge. Those blinded by vengeance often bring ruin upon themselves. That’s a good guiding lesson for life, yes, but movies are a form of escapism. Sometimes it’s fun to sit back and watch a badass fictional character beat up those who harmed them. And that’s the kind of fun the trailer for Dev Patel’s Monkey Man promises. It follows a grieving son with some serious fighting skills who sets out to bring down some very bad people.
The exciting new trailer for Monkey Man, from first-time director and star Dev Patel (The Green Knight, Slumdog Millionaire), is part Batman, Robin Hood, and John Wick. It also has Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” and that song rules. Patel’s Kid has plenty of motivation in his quest for vengeance. The people he hopes to bring down not only killed his mom, they thrive by oppressing the people of India. At least they will until a hero rises to stop them.
Here’s the official synopsis for Monkey Man to bring the trailer into focus:
Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.
The movie, which arrives in theaters April 5, also stars: Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya), and Makarand Deshpande (RRR). Jordan Peele also serves as a producer via his studio Monkeypaw Productions. Among those also producing alongside him are John Wick franchise alums Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.
That’s a lot of revenge fantasy experts on hand, which is good for lots of reasons. They know vengeance is best enjoyed on the big screen. A fun night at the theater watching a revenge tale won’t destroy you personally.
Originally published January 26, 2024.
