Monkey Man Báo Thù is a journey of revenge from an unnamed killer (played by Dev Patel), who has been living in solitude for many years beneath the oppressive weight of society. Fed up with the harshness of life, the young man embarks on a quest against the very forces that took his family away from him years ago.
This film marks the impressive directorial debut of Dev Patel. The work leaves a deep personal impression, reflecting the profound influence of Indian culture on the protagonist: “When I was young, my grandfather told me the story of the divine monkey god Hanuman. I was amazed to learn that the number of modern comics draws inspiration from philosophy and Eastern iconography.”
At its core, Monkey Man Báo Thù is a love letter to my family. The film intertwines the mythical tales shared by my grandfather, serving as a way to honor the extraordinary people I have encountered in my life—first and foremost, my mother, and it speaks to what one person can do to bring hope to another who has lost their way.” Currently, the film, produced by Jordan Peele, holds an impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and continues to receive rave reviews.
Divine Inspiration
Monkey Man Báo Thù draws its inspiration from the story of Hanuman—the divine monkey god representing intelligence, strength, compassion, devotion, and unwavering loyalty in Hindu mythology.
The legend of Hanuman is believed to have originated between 1500 to 1200 BCE and first appeared in a hymn in the “Rigveda”—a sacred collection of hymns revered as one of the four most sacred texts of Hinduism. Known by various names, including Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Ajaney, Hanuman is depicted in the epic texts “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” as a symbol of freedom.
Hanuman’s mother, Anjana, was an apsara (celestial nymph) who was transformed into a monkey. The sage foretold that Anjana would regain her original form if she bore a mighty son. Hanuman’s father is the wind god Vayu. From birth, Hanuman was renowned for his strength beyond that of any human.
One of the most famous tales about this deity is when Hanuman flew into the sky at dawn, mistaking the sun for a ripe fruit. Indra, the king of the gods, struck him down with a lightning bolt, causing him to fall to earth.
Vayu, angered by Indra’s actions towards his mighty son, took away the air from the Earth, causing all living beings to suffocate. Shiva, the god of time and destruction, played a crucial role in Hanuman’s birth. Only when Vayu restored the air did Indra realize his mistake and granted Hanuman a boon, empowering him with the strength of his thunderbolt (vajra) while also allowing him to be impervious to lightning.
Endowed with divine blessings, Hanuman emerged as a formidable warrior, resourceful and a key figure in the epic narrative of the Ramayana. His most famous act of valor was leading a monkey army to rescue Sita, the beloved of Rama.
A Divine Warrior
Despite his immense power, Hanuman is often depicted in Hindu culture as embodying humility, selflessness, and loyalty to Rama, the incarnation of the god Vishnu. Once again, the themes of humility are evoked in Monkey Man Báo Thù. The main character navigates through various trials and tribulations, reminiscent of Hanuman’s own journey in serving Rama. The story of revenge does not merely serve as a backdrop for a romantic plot; it also delves into a spiritual journey of self-discovery. The film transcends conventional action tropes by weaving character development into a broader cultural context.
Dev mentions: “I truly wanted to create a narrative that connects with the audience, particularly focusing on the neglected figures in society, who often fade into the background in the eyes of power and authority.”
Dev Patel has developed the script alongside talents like Paul Angunawela and John Collee. He combines his two greatest passions—action cinema and storytelling passed down from his grandfather—to create a universe on screen that captivates the global audience. While director SS Rajamouli brought a slice of Indian culture to the global audience with his film RRR, Dev has also aimed to present a strong narrative that resonates worldwide through the lens of action cinema.
MONKEY MAN (Vietnamese title: MONKEY MAN BÁO THÙ) is currently screening in theaters.
