Spanking the Monkey

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Spanking the Monkey

Released Jul 15, 1994

1h 46m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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26 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Bright young student Raymond Aibelli (Jeremy Davies) is forced to sidetrack an important medical internship because his mother, Susan (Alberta Watson), is recovering from a broken leg. When he isn't tasked with the most mundane aspects of Susan's recuperation, Raymond finds distraction in a neighborhood girl, Toni Peck (Carla Gallo). But, as Susan begins relying on her son for both physical and emotional needs, Raymond starts developing disturbing and unwanted new yearnings.

Critics Consensus

David O. Russell's feature debut scores with an endearing cast and offbeat humor, finding compelling sweetness in perverse places.

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Joshua Katzman

Chicago Reader

What it achieves most plangently is a realistic, empathetic portrayal of a young man’s attempts at self-assertion, with all the pain, embarrassment, and missteps that go with it. The performances and mise-en-scene have a naturalistic quality.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 6, 2022

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Anderson Jones

Detroit Free Press

The film's somber subject matter is brightened by the crafty direction razor-sharp editing, snarky camera angles, close-up detail shots. And Raymond's charming innocence, nicely underplayed by novice actor Davies, will prompt more compassion than malice.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 26, 2022

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

This is not a feel-good movie. It is a unique effort to do something unusual with suburban pathos.

Mar 22, 2022

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Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Writer-director David O Russell's well-observed film captures the sullen defensiveness of adolescence, and finds humour and sensuality in strange places.

Dec 14, 2017

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

A bitingly funny tale of frustrated sexuality.

Rated: A

Apr 9, 2007

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TJ F

Kinda weird but kinda good!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

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Rob Z

Weird but funny. I liked the ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/23

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Rob Z

Pretty weird, but pretty good.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

"Spanking the Monkey," a dark, far deeper Oedipal slant on "The Graduate", offers up a mostly slow, awkward, briefly kinky piece about a college-age kid striking out against his narcissistic parents. You'd never guess this from the nurk-nurk Seth Rogen-sort of title. Funny it is not. Still, it feels fresh and will hover with you a while, like it or not.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Dark but funny. Don't watch with you mom lol.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Funny and weird. Love the Morphine song at the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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David O. Russell

Director

Jeremy Davies

Ray Aibelli

Alberta Watson

Susan Aibelli

Benjamin Hendrickson

Tom Aibelli

Carla Gallo

Toni Peck

Matthew Puckett

Nicky

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Synopsis

Bright young student Raymond Aibelli (Jeremy Davies) is forced to sidetrack an important medical internship because his mother, Susan (Alberta Watson), is recovering from a broken leg. When he isn't tasked with the most mundane aspects of Susan's recuperation, Raymond finds distraction in a neighborhood girl, Toni Peck (Carla Gallo). But, as Susan begins relying on her son for both physical and emotional needs, Raymond starts developing disturbing and unwanted new yearnings.

Director: David O. Russell
Producer: Dean Silvers
Screenwriter: David O. Russell
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, New Line Home Video [us], Fine Line Features
Production Co: Buckeye Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1994, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Dec 6, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m