Monkey Man's Bloody Elevator

Monkey Man's Bloody Elevator

I just watched Monkeyman (2024), Dev Patel's directorial debut. It is a great film, very fun. I would certainly recommend it. Now, what struck me as interesting is the 'elevator scene.' It called to my mind a very different kind of elevator scene, that of Kubrick's The Shining (1980).

The violent scene in the elevator knife fight grips viewers with its raw intensity and adrenaline-fueled choreography. Patel's direction keeps the audience engaged as they witness the characters' struggle unfold in close quarters, creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency.

Patel, a first-time director, creates a John Wick like action spectacle, yet it is also promising that the elevator scene calls to mind a master class director. Another bloody elevator scene, one by Kubrick, is distinctly called to mind.

Comparing the violent knife fight to the rush of blood in Kubrick's The Shining, there's a distinct contrast in tone and execution. While both scenes elicit a visceral reaction, they do so in decidedly different ways. In Monkeyman, the adrenaline comes from the intense physical confrontation and the threat of danger in a confined space, whereas in The Shining, it's the shocking and surreal imagery of the elevator doors opening to release a torrent of blood that leaves a lasting impact. Terror versus horror. Both scenes showcase the power of cinema to evoke strong emotions and create memorable moments, albeit through different cinematic techniques and storytelling.