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Monkey Shines

Play trailer Poster for Monkey Shines R 1988 1h 53m Horror Drama Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Athlete Allan (Jason Beghe) becomes quadriplegic after a horrific traffic accident. His friend Geoffrey (John Pankow), who is conducting experiments with monkeys, offers Allan a well-trained monkey named Ella to keep him company and raise his spirits. But the initially healthy bond, which even enables Allan to form a romantic relationship with Melanie (Kate McNeil), gradually disintegrates once Ella begins to channel Allan's underlying rage and takes it out on his loved ones.
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Monkey Shines

Monkey Shines

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Critics Consensus

While not one of horror legend George Romero's more evolved efforts, Monkey Shines delivers enough primal fear to satisfy more forgiving genre enthusiasts.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies 10/08/2018
before its disappointing dénouement, Monkey Shines is a very tense thriller concerned precisely with one man's struggle to tame his older, wilder instincts. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 11/26/2007
A befuddled story about a man constrained from the neck down told by a director confused from the neck up. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 11/26/2007
3/4
One of George Romero's most effective and interesting horror thrillers. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 13
3/4
One of Romero’s best non-zombie flicks. Go to Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times Oct 15
4/5
Intense yet surprisingly tender, Romero's confident and uncompromising chiller is an intelligent nail-biter that takes a highly unusual look at the warped laws of the jungle one man must combat to survive. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/09/2023
4/10
Fortunately, the actors tend to take the material seriously, despite its obvious design around improbable stretches for the sake of thrills. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Farah R. @Farah Feb 17 It takes a mind like Romero’s to make a story like this work. There’s just enough drama, suspenseful, and cheesy 80s effects to make it entertaining. It’s not scary though, despite having some potential to earn its spot in the horror genre. See more Alexander R @alexrivera93 Feb 15 Very disappointing film. No horror at all, just boring sentimental soap opera like drama and the ending was absurd. See more Harry H @RT61704092 02/01/2025 All the makings, all the trimmings. I know Harper popped during the “golden” ending. Phile! See more Daniel C. M @RT91944882 10/05/2024 A personal favorite of mine. While the runtime may be a little too long, and there are some questionable and very dumb (even for this kind of movie) script choices, like the whole neural connection thing; it's still a solid piece of a proto-slasher. The Capuchin is no doubt the best actress here; very solid and convincing performance. The direction by Romero himself is good, with a special highlight to the POV shots and the whole final sequence that manages to create enough suspense. See more Jarrod R @RT27243469 05/17/2024 Some compelling choices from the filmmaker as well as performances against a fairly ridiculous plot. The last 25 minutes are -- let's say - something: See more júlio a @RT51210674 05/10/2021 Nossa, li a resenha desse filme, e lembrei que já tinha assistido a muito muito tempo atrás. Nem sabia que era do Romero na época, caramba! See more Read all reviews
Monkey Shines

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Cast & Crew

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George A. Romero

Director

Jason Beghe

Allan Mann

John Pankow

Geoffrey Fisher

Kate McNeil

Melanie Parker

Joyce Van Patten

Dorothy Mann

Christine Forrest

Maryanne Hodges

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Monkey Shines

Monkey Shines (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Athlete Allan (Jason Beghe) becomes quadriplegic after a horrific traffic accident. His friend Geoffrey (John Pankow), who is conducting experiments with monkeys, offers Allan a well-trained monkey named Ella to keep him company and raise his spirits. But the initially healthy bond, which even enables Allan to form a romantic relationship with Melanie (Kate McNeil), gradually disintegrates once Ella begins to channel Allan's underlying rage and takes it out on his loved ones.
Director
George A. Romero
Producer
Charles Evans
Screenwriter
George A. Romero
Distributor
Orion Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
Orion Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 29, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.8M
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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