The critics are going ape wild for Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man. Patel leads his own tour-de-force action film as Kid, an anonymous young man who’s been suppressing his rage for years after his mother was murdered by the ruthless, heartless leaders who prey on the poor and powerless in Mumbai. All that’s about to change.

Kid is ultimately inspired to act by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage. Kid learns the ropes on how to fight, and perhaps more importantly, how to take a beating and keep going, by submitting himself to the brutalities of an underground fight club where he dons a gorilla mask and gets routinely pummeled by the more popular brawlers.

Eventually, Kid finds a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s upper echelons, where he unleashes years of his fury and vengeance on the men who make life a living hell for so many.

Patel directs from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World). Joining him in the cast are Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya) and Makarand Deshpande (RRR).

Monkey Man swings into theaters on April 5. Let’s take a quick peek at what the critics are saying:

“Goes bananas in the best possible way.”

Dev Patel writes, directs and stars in action-packed revenge thriller #MonkeyMan.

Read the Empire review: https://t.co/yyqN6p1vMY pic.twitter.com/cJQWbiEIYA

— Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine) March 26, 2024

Wow. #MonkeyManMovie is special.

Dev Patel has created an important, powerful, exciting, emotional action film that uses violence to develop character within a well-structured, propulsive, supremely satisfying story.

Movie fans are gonna be watching this one for a long time. pic.twitter.com/HBBPlfYave

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 3, 2024

#DevPatel takes a classic revenge tale to the streets of Mumbai and reinvents himself as an action hero. Our #MonkeyMan #review has arrived! Read what @adamfleetmovies had to say below…#monkeymanmovie #movie #moviereview #film #movies https://t.co/csOipjg7xw

— Screen Realm (@screenrealm) April 3, 2024

Monkey Man review – Dev Patel goes wild in ultraviolent Mumbai revenge flick https://t.co/Jto2okL2E8

— Guardian US (@GuardianUS) April 3, 2024

REVIEW: Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” is as impressive as it is brutalhttps://t.co/VyBGJS1aDH

— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) April 3, 2024

Just saw one of the best action films of the decade so far. I don’t think anyone is prepared for Dev Patel’s Monkey Man. Review soon. pic.twitter.com/qfxH0wrJGB

— Joonatan Itkonen (@JoonatanItkonen) April 2, 2024

‘Monkey Man’ Review — Dev Patel Arrives as a Next-Level Action Star
https://t.co/w6tFiDn3F9

— Collider (@Collider) April 3, 2024

Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is a savage triumph. Read our four star review >> https://t.co/1g5WRq5R4P pic.twitter.com/tSk0T0o6Rb

— Total Film (@totalfilm) March 29, 2024

Dev Patel’s grimy, ultraviolent mixtape of action influences has the chaotic unpredictability of Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and the neon gunplay of the “John Wick” franchise.

Read our #SXSW review of #MonkeyMan: https://t.co/UBDAEldAFx pic.twitter.com/2VT2xhr3P3

— IndieWire (@IndieWire) March 12, 2024

“Patel’s commitment to his dual role as director and actor is palpable… Patel’s directorial finesse and meticulous attention to detail in Monkey Man suggests he has a promising future in directing more films within this genre and beyond…”

Full review:… pic.twitter.com/GaO44Zc2wQ

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 12, 2024

Dev Patel’s ‘MONKEY MAN’ is now at 91% on Rotten Tomatoes with 22 reviews.

Read our review: https://t.co/gWFoLtGe1u pic.twitter.com/XXGkbLITIP

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 13, 2024