Monkey Man is one of the most imaginative action films to come out sometimes and it comes from a first-time director who also stars in the lead role Dev Patel. Described as “Indian John Wick,” the action-thriller film follows the story of a young underground fighter who goes on a rampage against the city’s elite to avenge the injustices done by them to his mother and village. Monkey Man also stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande, Sharlto Copley, Brahim Achabbakhe, Ashwini Kalshekar, Pitobash Tripathy, and Vipin Sharma. So, if you loved the action and heartfelt story told in Monkey Man by the first passionate first-time director Dev Patel, here are some similar movies you should check out next.
John Wick (Peacock, Apple TV & Rent on Prime Video)
Monkey Man is being described as “Indian John Wick,” so this film had to be on this list. Directed by Chad Stahelski, John Wick has quickly become one of the best action films ever made. The 2014 film follows the story of the titular character who recently lost his wife and the last gift from his late wife was a puppy. John Wick has a mysterious past and when he is attacked one night resulting in a stolen car and a dead dog, he goes on a rampage to brutally kill everyone responsible for this atrocity. Keanu Reeves stars as the titular character with Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, John Leguizamo, Michael Nyqvist, Willem Dafoe, and Adrianne Palicki starring in supporting roles.
Nobody (Prime Video)
Nobody sees the transformation of Bob Odenkirk from being one of the best dramatic actors working in Hollywood into a relentless action star. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the action film follows the story of a docile family man with a mysterious past who doesn’t have the respect of his family. When two assailants break into his house and he doesn’t do anything to them that makes his snap which leads him to go after a big gangster. Nodoy stars Odenkirk in the lead role with Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Ironside, Rza, Aleksey Serebryakov, and Colin Salmon.
The Man From Nowhere (Netflix, Peacock & Prime Video Add-On)
The Man From Nowhere is a Korean action-drama film written and directed by Lee Jeong-beom. The worldwide popular film follows the story of a former secret agent Tae-shik, who is living a quiet life running a pawn shop. The only person he talks to is a little girl who comes around the shop but when one day she gets kidnapped, Tae Shik must do everything he can to save her. The Man From Nowhere stars Won Bin in the lead role with Kim Sae-ron, Kim Sung-oh, Kim Tae-hoon, and Kim Hee-won starring in supporting roles.
The Northman (Starz & Prime Video Add-On)
The Nortman is an incredibly brutal revenge film co-written and directed by Robert Eggers. Based on The Legend of Amleth by Saxo Grammaticus, the 2022 action thriller film is set in AD 895 and it follows the story of a Viking prince whose father was brutally murdered and whose mother was kidnapped by his uncle. Two decades later he becomes a Viking and goes on a quest of vengeance. The Northman stars Alexander Skarsgård in the lead role with Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Oscar Novak, and Björk starring in supporting roles.
The Villainess (Prime Video, Peacock, Pluto TV & Tubi)
The Villainess is a Korean action thriller film co-written and directed by Byung Gil Jung. The 2017 film follows the story of a young woman trained to be a deadly assassin from her childhood, after the death of her mentor she moves to South Korea to live a quiet life but her past comes back to haunt her forcing her to take matters into her hands and fight everyone who is standing between her and her freedom. The Villainess stars Kim Ok-vin in the lead role with Sin Ha-jyin, Sung Joon, Kim Seo-hyung, Jo Eun-ji, and Kwon Hyeokbeom starring in supporting roles.
Extraction 2 (Netflix)
Directed by Sam Hargrave, Extraction 2 is the second entry into Netflix’s popular action film series. Based on a graphic novel titled Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, and Fernando León González, the 2023 action thriller film picks up right where the first film ended and continues the story of Tyler Rake. After his long recovery, Tyler is called on for another mission but this time it’s personal. Chris Hemsworth returns for the leading role with Golshifteh Farahani and Adam Bessa also making a return for their respective roles.
The Night Comes for Us (Netflix)
The Night Comes for Us is an action thriller film written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto. The 2018 film follows the story of Ito, who works as one of six elite enforcers for the South East Asian Triad. After killing a village because of some people who stole their drugs, Ito discovers a young survivor named Reina and decides to save her at all costs. Thinking that she’s his only chance at redemption Ito does everything he can to get himself and her out of harm’s way. The Comes for Us stars Joe Taslim in the lead role with Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle, Sunny Pang, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Salvita Decorte, Zack Lee, Dimas Anggara, and Hannah Al Rashid starring in supporting roles.