A quadriplegic man is given a trained monkey help him with every day activities, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master and those who get too close to him.
Practical Effects
Monkey actors + puppetry that'll haunt you
Acting
Beghe's full-body performance without using his body
Direction
Romero's most underrated, patient slow-burn
Director
George A. Romero
Jason Beghe
Allan Mann
John Pankow
Geoffrey Fisher
Kate McNeil
Melanie Parker
Joyce Van Patten
Dorothy Mann
Christine Forrest
Maryanne Hodges
Stephen Root
Dean Burbage
Stanley Tucci
Dr. John Wiseman
Janine Turner
Linda Aikman
William Newman
Doc Williams
Patricia Tallman
Party Guest
David Early
Anesthetist
Eric Morgan Stuart
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Romero fought studio pressure to cut the ending; the theatrical release has four different conclusions depending on region.
The film sparked actual debates in disability studies about 'helper animal' narratives and bodily autonomy—rare for 1988 horror.
US
