Dev Patel succeeded in his directorial debut at SXSW with an exciting one-man revenge tale. Jordan Peele applauded Dev with a standing ovation! In 2021, Volker Bertelmann, aka Hauschka, was brought on as the composer for the film but will not be credited as such in the final version.

The Story

Letterboxd user Bryan gave Dev Patel’s directorial debut an astounding 4.35 rating and declared, “This made me go nuts in the best possible way!” He continued by noting how intense action sequences coupled with emotional depth made this film watchable again and again.”

Plot Summary: Patel’s character in “No Name From India,” who seeks revenge against corrupt leaders in his native land, draws the audience’s attention with an impressive performance that leaves audiences stunned and speechless.

His director of photography supports him in this endeavor by making full use of Mumbai’s seedy underbelly as the ideal backdrop for his character to wreak havoc and cause mayhem.

Patel also manages to weave in social and cultural elements seamlessly. In one scene, for instance, his protagonist draws upon Hanuman’s tale from the Ramayana as inspiration—this is not being taken as an easy route but rather reflects the true cultural awareness that we hear and experience as children.

The Cast

Dev Patel is known for his serious dramas, yet in his directorial debut, he takes an adventurous route with this wild revenge thriller. This bold move establishes him as an action star and a new genre voice.

The story is inspired by Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god and symbol of strength and courage; with elements from John Wick and other revenge thrillers taken into consideration as well. Patel stars as Kid in an outstanding performance as a writer and star.

Jordan Peele stars as an anonymous street fighter from Mumbai’s gutters who seeks revenge against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and exploited those with powerlessness. Sharlto Copley from District 9, The A-Team, and Sobhita Dhulipala from Made in Heaven/The Night Manager appear, as well as Pitobash Sikander of Hotel Mumbai/Hotel Mumbai Hotel as Pitobash Sikander; Adithi Kalkunte from Like Stars on Earth/RRR are part of its cast, while Jordan Peele executive produced through Monkey Paw Productions/RRR label, helping secure theatrical distribution for this film.

The Trailer

Dev Patel’s action-packed revenge flick Monkey Man has had an impressive debut after its SXSW premiere and positive buzz. This marks his directorial debut, earning over $4 million across Friday and previews. Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Jomon Thomas (Hotel Mumbai and The Man Who Knew Infinity) are both producing this movie, which is aiming for an opening weekend gross of around $10.5 million.

Patel’s unnamed protagonist embarks on an escalating campaign against corrupt political operatives from a political party that terrorized his village as a child. Drawing inspiration from Hindu mythology—specifically Hanuman from the Ramayana—Patel grounds the film in global influences while giving context for brutal, bloody fight scenes and showing his prowess as an actor and director by creating an exciting revenge flick that makes you think—and want to use—an iron rod against someone’s skull!

The Rating

Monkey Man pays homage to John Wick (and even uses Volker Bertelmann for its soundtrack), yet goes beyond mere revenge thriller. Instead, its political posture echoes India’s current climate of religious extremism and corporate greed.

While it may be hard to condone Patel’s actions as violence and revenge are never really the solution, his script with Paul Angunawela and John Collee provides us a reason to root for him. They craft an engaging character people can identify with and an impressive fight scene that makes you feel every impact of every blow thrown against his character.

The film premiered to a packed house at SXSW Film Festival and now hits theatres nationwide. Part slow-burn, part action flick, and part protest film, it chronicles frustration reaching its zenith and righteous anger being channeled toward change.

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