Monkey Beach

2020

1 hr. 43 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

40%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Monkey Beach is a supernatural mystery. Layering tragedy, humor and redemption, it tells the story of Lisa, a rebellious young woman who must accept her true heroic nature in order to save Jimmy, her brother who is lost at sea. Monkey Beach is set in the magnificent forests and waterways of the Pacific Northwest and the Haisla village of Kitamaat. Haisla cultural stories are woven into the contemporary lives of Lisa and her family, along with a cast of otherworldly characters including ghosts and Sasquatches -- the 'monkeys' of Monkey Beach.

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Tim M

Overall an interesting story and some of the actors were stellar, while others were not so good. Specifically, I really enjoyed watching Adam Beach, who's a great actor IMHO. Unfortunately his role wasn't all that significant. Although it's an incredibly powerful and emotional story, the implementation didn't convey that. Compared to similar movies that trigger that deep down emotion as you truly feel for the protagonist, in this case I felt very little - not the struggle, not the frustration, and the emotional trouble that she was dealing with. It could have, and should have, been much better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/21/21

Full Review

Audience Member

It took a few minutes to find my flow with this movie. Once it came together, I was grateful I'd taken time to experience it. There are beautiful gems of wisdom in this story and some of the visuals are stunning. What I loved most was watching the main character grow into a healthy relationship with her spiritual guides and capacities. I think it is so important to have models for other ways of being that go beyond western materialism. Thank you to the cast and crew who worked so hard to create this film together. What a gift.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very cool that there are finally movies and TV based on the writing of Eden Robinson. Such a talented writer and this movie brings a lot of the interesting aspects of the book to life. Loved the performance of Sera-Lys McArthur.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Phenomenal story combined with powerful acting and compelling storytelling. As an Indigenous person, this adaptation of Eden Robinson's book was moving and emotional to view. Its commitment to Indigenous perspectives and narratives (in the film itself and the way the film was directed) is hard to come by these days but the cast and crew delivered. Give it a watch, appreciate the indigeneity, and praise the creators -- they've earned it with this one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is an incredibly powerful film that is destined to become an indigi-cult classic. It is a film you can watch multiple times and still feel every heart beat of each of the characters .. Alive and in spirit. This film has captivated indigenous and other audiences of many ages and cultures alike.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Compelling indigenous storytelling, cast, writing, directing and editing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Loretta Todd

Director

Adam Beach

Uncle Mick

Nathaniel Arcand

Albert

Grace Dove

Lisa

Sera-Lys McArthur

Tabitha

Glen Gould

Josh

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

Monkey Beach is not the gift its filmmakers hoped it might be.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 11, 2021

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

The film fundamentally misunderstands the book its adapting. Adam Beach and Joel Ouelette are great in small roles, but several actors are badly miscast and the FX is poorly executed.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson

Films Gone Wild

...a faith-based film, except that unlike in most movies thusly described, the faith in question is not Christian, but Haisla spirituality.

Mar 18, 2021

Full Review

Pat Mullen

That Shelf

One never enjoys panning passion projects, but this years-in-the-making adaptation of Eden Robinson's novel pales in comparison to its source.

Jan 10, 2021

Full Review

Alex Heeney

Seventh Row

Monkey Beach... is a visually sumptuous film made on a low budget, that will make you want to buy a ticket to BC as soon as it's safe to do so.

Nov 21, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Monkey Beach is a supernatural mystery. Layering tragedy, humor and redemption, it tells the story of Lisa, a rebellious young woman who must accept her true heroic nature in order to save Jimmy, her brother who is lost at sea. Monkey Beach is set in the magnificent forests and waterways of the Pacific Northwest and the Haisla village of Kitamaat. Haisla cultural stories are woven into the contemporary lives of Lisa and her family, along with a cast of otherworldly characters including ghosts and Sasquatches -- the 'monkeys' of Monkey Beach.

Director: Loretta Todd
Executive Producer: Lycrecia Adin, RoseAnne Archibald, Fred Fuchs, Patti Poskitt, Tom Rowe, Richard Van Camp, Anne Wheeler
Screenwriter: Johnny Darrell, Andrew Duncan, Loretta Todd
Production Co: Mama-oo Productions, Reunion Pacific Entertainment
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English