Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Kid is 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.
Kid is 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 film's central thesis explicitly promotes radical action against systemic injustice and critiques right-wing nationalism and the ruling regime, aligning with progressive ideology.
The movie demonstrates significant DEI through its explicit inclusion and prominent featuring of the Hijra community and other marginalized groups. Its narrative centers on a strong critique of systemic failures, human trafficking, religious persecution, and attacks on LGBT minorities, emphasizing solidarity among the oppressed.
Monkey Man offers a significantly positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, specifically the trans and gender-non-conforming Hijra community. The film intentionally centers their representation, depicting them as vital, empowered allies with dignity and agency. It highlights their cultural rituals, struggles, and solidarity, challenging stereotypes and serving as an anthem for marginalized voices.
The film "Monkey Man" portrays the hijra community as a pivotal and empowering force. They offer refuge and form a powerful alliance with the protagonist, symbolizing solidarity against oppression. Depicted with dignity and agency, they are a source of strength, embodying themes of unity and resistance, ultimately forming an army to fight corrupt forces. This representation is affirming and central to the film's message.
The film features Alpha, the leader of the Hijra community, and her private army of capable fighters. These women actively participate in the protagonist's quest for revenge, engaging in direct physical combat against male opponents and demonstrating their martial skills to achieve victory.
The film portrays Hinduism positively by using its mythology, specifically the monkey-god Hanuman, to inspire the protagonist's quest for justice. While it critiques the weaponization of faith and religious nationalism, this targets the misuse by corrupt figures rather than the inherent nature of the religion itself.
Monkey Man is an original film and does not adapt characters from pre-existing source material or historical figures. While it prominently features transgender and gender-non-conforming characters, these are new creations for the film, not established characters whose gender has been altered from a prior canon.
Monkey Man is an original story deeply rooted in Indian culture, featuring new characters. There is no prior source material with established character races to compare against, and the film's casting reflects the cultural realities of India without any indication of race swapping.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources