Monkey Shines Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A paralyzed dude gets a brain-boosted monkey who becomes his personal assassin because apparently, repressed rage + primate telepathy = death, taxes, and cable bills.

🍿 Monkey Shines: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Accident and Its Aftermath

Allan Mann, a promising law student and athlete, suffers a horrific accident after being startled by a dog during his morning run. He’s struck by a truck, leaving him a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. This event drastically alters his life, leaving him dependent on others for even the simplest tasks.

Enter Ella: The Helper Monkey

Allan’s friend, Geoffrey Fisher, a scientist conducting experiments with monkeys, offers a unique solution: Ella, a capuchin monkey trained to assist disabled individuals. Ella helps Allan with everyday tasks, bringing a semblance of normalcy back to his life. She can answer the phone, play music, and even turn the pages of his books.

The Experiment’s Dark Side

Unbeknownst to Allan, Geoffrey has been injecting Ella with an experimental serum made from human brain tissue, hoping to enhance her intelligence. This serum has unintended consequences, creating a psychic link between Allan and Ella. She begins acting on his subconscious desires, particularly his anger and resentment.

Escalating Violence

Ella starts acting on Allan’s suppressed rage, targeting those who have wronged him or caused him pain. The first victim is the annoying bird of Allan’s nurse, Maryanne. Then, she escalates things, targeting Linda and Dr. Wiseman and finally, Allan’s mother.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Allan Mann (Jason Beghe): A quadriplegic law student who develops a dangerous mental link with his helper monkey, leading to violent consequences.
• Ella (Boo): A capuchin monkey injected with human brain tissue, developing heightened intelligence and a murderous bond with Allan.
• Geoffrey Fisher (John Pankow): Allan’s friend and a scientist who experiments on Ella, inadvertently creating a psychic connection between her and Allan.
• Melanie Parker (Kate McNeil): An animal trainer who provides Ella to Allan and develops a romantic relationship with him.
• Dorothy Mann (Joyce Van Patten): Allan’s overbearing mother, who is initially helpful but becomes a target of Ella’s murderous impulses.
• Maryanne Hodges (Christine Forrest): Allan’s ill-tempered nurse who becomes another victim of Ella’s escalating violence.
• Dr. John Wiseman (Stanley Tucci): Allan’s surgeon and former love rival, who becomes a target of Ella’s deadly actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Allan: “What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and rot?” – Allan expresses his despair and frustration with his quadriplegic condition.
• Geoffrey: “She’s helping you, isn’t she? That’s all that matters.” – Geoffrey defends his potentially unethical experiment, justifying the means by the positive outcome for Allan.
• Maryanne: “That monkey is a menace.” – The nurse expresses her dislike and suspicion of Ella, foreshadowing the danger she poses.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,344,577
• Worldwide Gross: $5,344,577

💥 Monkey Shines Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being creeped out by this movie as a kid. The idea of a monkey acting on someone’s dark impulses was terrifying. The monkey’s POV shots and the dream sequences really got under my skin. Jason Beghe did an amazing job portraying the frustration and anger of someone paralyzed. I thought it was a cool concept, but the execution could have been better; but, I am glad that I own it and am glad to be able to revisit it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of George A. Romero’s non-zombie films.”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers with a sci-fi twist.”
  • “People fascinated by the ethics of animal experimentation.”
  • “Anyone who enjoys movies with unique and unconventional horror elements.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence (though not as explicit as Romero’s zombie films).”
  • “Animal harm.”
  • “Suicide attempt.”
  • “Sexual content.”
  • “Profanity.”

Professional Reviews

• Bloody Disgusting: “Romero masterfully swaps zombies for monkeys, taking us on a journey of emotions and self-discovery. Beghe’s paralyzed character conveys frustration and anger effectively. It explores themes of obsession and equality in a way that’s both absurd and thought-provoking.
• IMDB: “One of Romero’s most underrated films! Beghe delivers a strong, controlled central performance, criminally overlooked by many awards organizations. A terrifying and sympathetic portrayal of a physically handicapped protagonist. The ending is really scary.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Monkey Shines is a chiller that features truly intense moments. The script relies more on subtle psychological horror than gore. A smart and underrated film but can be slow at times.

Audience Reactions

The monkey’s performance was surprisingly good and added to the movie’s unsettling atmosphere.: Viewers appreciated the film’s psychological horror elements and the unique concept of a telepathic connection between a man and a monkey.

Fans admired the film for addressing issues related to disability and the frustrations of being paralyzed.: Many people thought the movie had a good ending.

Overall Consensus: A psychological thriller with an intriguing premise, but hampered by slow pacing, some unbelievable plot elements, but still manages to be a unique horror experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was George A. Romero’s first and only studio film, giving him a larger budget than his previous independent works.”
• “The film’s ending was altered by the studio against Romero’s wishes, resulting in a happier conclusion than he originally intended.”

🖥️ How to Watch Monkey Shines?

As of today, you can find Monkey Shines for purchase on Amazon and other major online retailers. Check for streaming options on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies; availability may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Monkey Shines, you might like these similar films:

• Of Unknown Origin (1983): A man’s home becomes a battleground against a cunning and relentless rat, creating suspenseful home-invasion elements.
• Link (1986): Another horror film featuring a primate turning violent and terrorizing its owners.
• Christine (1983): A supernatural thriller where a vehicle embodies and acts upon the dark desires of its owner.
• Burning Bright (2010): A woman trapped in her home with a tiger during a hurricane, similar to the contained thriller aspect.

🛒 Monkey Shines Related Products

• George A. Romero’s ‘Monkey Shines’ – Limited Edition Blu-ray: A must-have for Romero fans! This special edition features exclusive behind-the-scenes content, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary. Features a unique cover and high-quality transfer.
• Monkey Shines Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for this unique horror film. The poster captures the film’s suspenseful tone.
• Capuchin Monkey Plush Toy: A soft and cuddly Capuchin monkey plush toy, capturing the essence of Ella from ‘Monkey Shines’. A great gift for horror fans with a playful side. *NOT genetically altered or programmed to kill*
• Telepathy Game – Mind Reading: Test your psychic abilities with this telepathy card game. Designed to improve focus and mindfulness, enhance your connection with others, and boost your brain power. Perfect for parties and family time.

🎧 Soundtrack

Monkey Shines features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “There’ll Be Another Spring” – performed by Peggy Lee

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Monkey Shines (1988) Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness movie review

Want a quick and dirty review of Monkey Shines? Cinemassacre’s got you covered with their signature Monster Madness style. It’s short, sweet, and might just convince you to give this Romero flick a watch!

In Bob We Trust – SCHLOCKTOBER: MONKEYSHINES (1988)

MovieBob dives deep into Monkey Shines as part of his Schlocktober series. If you’re looking for a more detailed and analytical review, this one’s definitely worth checking out – he really gets into the nitty-gritty!

Monkey Shines: George Romero’s Underseen Masterpiece

Ever heard someone call Monkey Shines a masterpiece? JoBlo Horror makes a compelling argument that it’s Romero’s underappreciated gem. You might just agree after watching this!

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