Fortunately, the actors tend to take the material seriously, despite its obvious design around improbable stretches for the sake of thrills.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Aug 9, 2023

The film most exhilarating film since Jaws. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jun 23, 2022

The absurdity is played up, the dark laughs are plentiful and some very-repeatable lines of dialogue suggest Romero may have been midway through a John Waters marathon at the time.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Oct 8, 2018

before its disappointing dénouement, Monkey Shines is a very tense thriller concerned precisely with one man's struggle to tame his older, wilder instincts.

| Oct 8, 2018

a lot of awful performances in the service of a lousy script.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jul 11, 2016

One of Romero's best non-zombie flicks, this intelligent, absorbing watch includes early roles for Stanley Tucci and Stephen Root.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 25, 2014

Features a compelling plot and some stylish individual moments of tension during the thunderous climax, but its energy is sapped and forward momentum severely lacking. One patiently waits for it to take off, and it never fully does.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 17, 2014

By the time the hilarious yet memorable Carrie-esque final shocker rolls around, Monkey Shines has established itself as a passable horror effort...

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 31, 2013

A brilliant realization of a mind awakening to its animal instincts, expressed in satirical Hitchcockisms

| Mar 13, 2010

This intelligent, effective thriller is one of [Romero's] best films.

| Jun 12, 2008

A befuddled story about a man constrained from the neck down told by a director confused from the neck up.

| Nov 26, 2007

Terrifying psychological horror.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 26, 2007

One of George Romero's most effective and interesting horror thrillers.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 26, 2007

A frightening and very effective psychological thriller.

| Original Score: B | Jun 24, 2006

Romero's is a formidable talent which others can only hope to ape.

| Jun 24, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 19, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 26, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 4, 2005

It's not illogicality that dooms Romero's thriller but rather torpid pacing and a distinct lack of scares.

| Original Score: C- | Jul 3, 2005