Monkey Shines
A paralyzed man’s helper monkey becomes the terrifying conduit for rage unleashed by a sinister behavioral experiment.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- disturbing
- philosophical
- claustrophobic
- late night horror viewing
- genre film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film thoughtful and philosophically provocative, praising its central human-animal relationship while faulting its length, exposition, and overextended subplots.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ella's training and experimental conditioning allow her to enact Allan's suppressed rage and wishes.
Allan relies on Ella for mobility and companionship while their bond increasingly channels resentment and domination.
Ella is tied to a laboratory experiment involving serum containing human brain tissue and behavioral manipulation.
Allan's quadriplegia shapes the film's central fears about dependence, frustration, and control over the body.
Films like Monkey Shines, and why
The Brood
shared psychological horror, science-run-amok premise, and human-animal symbiosis
Cujo
shared natural horror, animal experimentation, and escalating revenge-driven dread
The Fly
shared science fiction horror, body-centered anxiety, and philosophical genre themes
The Crazies
shared horror satire, social critique, and institutional abuse of vulnerable bodies
Movie Details
- Director
- George A. Romero
- Release Date
- 1988-07-29
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (376)
Cast
- Jason Beghe
- John Pankow
- Kate McNeil
- Joyce Van Patten
- Christine Forrest
- Stephen Root
- Stanley Tucci
- Tom Quinn
- Janine Turner
- William Newman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Monkey Shines about?
- A paralyzed man’s helper monkey becomes the terrifying conduit for rage unleashed by a sinister behavioral experiment.
- What is Monkey Shines like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Monkey Shines as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Monkey Shines violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Monkey Shines as graphic.
- What did critics think of Monkey Shines?
- Critics broadly found the film thoughtful and philosophically provocative, praising its central human-animal relationship while faulting its length, exposition, and overextended subplots.
- Which films are like Monkey Shines?
- Films with a similar feel include The Brood, Cujo, The Fly, and The Crazies.
- How long is Monkey Shines?
- Monkey Shines runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Monkey Shines?
- In United States, Monkey Shines streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
