Dev Patel has made an electrifying entry into the world of feature film direction with “Monkey Man,” a visceral love letter to global action cinema.
In Patel’s directorial debut, which he also co-wrote and stars in, the British actor showcases his capability as both an action star with A-list aspirations and a resourceful B-movie director. Set in a contemporary India, the neon-drenched, sleaze-filled backdrop of the fictional city of Yatana serves as the perfect canvas for this extravagantly violent and exuberantly messy revenge flick.
Despite tough competition at the domestic box office, “Monkey Man” is holding its ground. It is successfully fending off “The First Omen,” but both films are performing below initial expectations. However, neither can rival the monster success of Warner Bros. and Legendary’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” a significant achievement for the MonsterVerse series in a landscape where many franchises are struggling to maintain relevance. Although there is a surplus of male-skewing projects, “The First Omen” aims to attract a younger female audience.
Looking at the numbers, after a better-than-anticipated $8.5M Friday, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is poised to reach the $30M ballpark for its second weekend, which bodes well for its overall performance. “Monkey Man” stands out as the stronger new release compared to “The First Omen,” pulling in $10.5M versus $8M+. Both films target a similar demographic, appealing to men aged 18-34, with “Monkey Man” drawing a more diverse crowd comprising 38% Caucasian, 25% Latino and Hispanic, 14% Black, 17% Asian, and 6% others. The film has also earned a B+ CinemaScore, outshining its industry competitor, “The Northman.”
Despite its fierce male-centric competition, “Monkey Man” has proven its mettle and is attracting a mixed audience, signaling the movie’s potential to resonate with a broader range of viewers. In an industry where franchises are struggling, “Monkey Man” has managed to carve out a space for itself and is emerging as a promising addition to the action genre.
