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Monkey Shines
1988 113 min United States of America R 16+
★6.3
Horror, Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller
Director: George A. Romero
🎭 Based on
«Monkey Shines»
byMichael Stewart
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
A quadriplegic man is given a trained monkey help him with every day activities, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master and those who get too close to him.
Budget:
$7M
US Gross:
$5.34M
Worldwide:
$5.34M
Starring
Jason Beghe
Actor
John Pankow
Actor
Kate McNeil
Actor
Awards
7 wins & 2 nominations
Key opinion
George A. Romero's pivot from zombie horror into psychological thriller territory is viewed as a unique but uneven experiment. While some critics find the exploration of the bond between a disabled man and his intelligent capuchin compelling, others criticize the film for being sluggish, relying on cheap gimmicks, and lacking the expected psychological tension.
| Originality | The central premise effectively explores the complex psychological and ethical link between a paralyzed protagonist and an experimental capuchin monkey. | |
| Pacing | The film's transition into a slasher-style second half is jarring and detracts from the earlier suspense, with excessive gore undermining the narrative. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's momentum are divided; while some appreciate the deliberate building of paranoia, others find the pacing sluggish and prone to dragging. | |
| Emotion | Opinions on the effectiveness of the suspense are divided; supporters laud Romero for creating a sense of dread, while detractors feel the lack of psychological depth results in a weak, gimmick-laden thriller. |