On this day July 29 1988, Monkey Shines premiered in theaters delivering a tense and unsettling psychological thriller with a sci fi twist. Directed by George A Romero, the film tells the story of Allan Mann, a gifted athlete who becomes quadriplegic after a tragic accident and is given a service monkey named Ella to assist him with daily tasks. But what begins as a hopeful bond between human and animal turns disturbingly sinister.
As Ella becomes increasingly connected to Allan’s emotional state, her behavior grows erratic and violent. The film dives deep into themes of control, dependency, and the darker corners of the human mind. Monkey Shines stands out for its original premise, slow building tension, and the way it blends medical science and horror without relying on typical genre clichés.
Though it struggled at the box office, the film was praised for its eerie tone and psychological depth, earning a cult following in later years. Romero’s shift from undead horror to more cerebral terror marked a bold experiment during a time when slashers dominated theaters.
80s insight: By 1988 horror was evolving and directors like George A Romero were exploring new territory with grounded psychological scares and emotional complexity.
As Ella becomes increasingly connected to Allan’s emotional state, her behavior grows erratic and violent. The film dives deep into themes of control, dependency, and the darker corners of the human mind. Monkey Shines stands out for its original premise, slow building tension, and the way it blends medical science and horror without relying on typical genre clichés.
Though it struggled at the box office, the film was praised for its eerie tone and psychological depth, earning a cult following in later years. Romero’s shift from undead horror to more cerebral terror marked a bold experiment during a time when slashers dominated theaters.
80s insight: By 1988 horror was evolving and directors like George A Romero were exploring new territory with grounded psychological scares and emotional complexity.
