Dev Patel is back on the big screen with his directorial debut “Monkey Man,” an action thriller in which he stars and co-wrote. The film had its premiere on March 11 at the 2014 SXSW Festival, and the first reviews are positive, with the premiere ending in a standing ovation.
The film, which was first set to go straight to Netflix, will now premiere in theaters on April 5, distributed by Universal. Director and producer Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope) acquired the rights of the film under his Monkeypaw Productions banner because he thought it deserved a theatrical release.
During the premiere, Patel told People magazine that he and his team “faced absolute catastrophe” while making the movie, and “for Universal to see it, have that response, Jordan, to see it, pick it up off the floor, brush the dust off it and put it on the mantelpiece again, is a huge thing.”
‘Monkey Man’ has impressed critics
After the movie premiered at the SXSW, Patel told People that he “put my everything into it, and I hope the world responds to it.” And, at least for now, the film has been very welcomed by critics, who praise the action sequences, as well as the storylines.
The movie, co-written with Paul Angunawela and John Collee, follows Kid (Patel), who barely makes ends meet by participating in underground fight clubs where he takes beatings for cash. However, when he decides to infiltrate the elite social circles of his city’s wealthiest and most corrupt individuals, his quest for revenge is ignited.
According to Variety, Patel said that he wanted to touch social themes in his film, especially the caste system in India. And that depth was appreciated by critics, which have given the film mostly positive reviews.
Valerie Complex of Deadline wrote: “Patel’s directorial journey showcases his keen eye for action and narrative depth,” stating that the movie “suggests he has a promising future in directing more films.”
Other outlets, such as The Hollywood Reporter, have compared the movie to John Wick. The film also Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte and Makarand Deshpande.