Monkey Shines (1988) Revisited – Horror Movie Review

A new episode of the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw video series has just been released, and with this one we’re looking back at one of the more overlooked entries in the filmography of the late, great George A. Romero. The movie is the 1988 release Monkey Shines (watch it HERE), and you can hear all about it in the video embedded above!

Written and directed by Romero, Monkey Shines is based on a novel by Michael Stewart. The film has the following synopsis: What starts as an innocent attempt to have a specially trained monkey help a paralyzed man get a new lease on life turns into a hell of unleashed rage. Monkey Shines, is a chilling look at how one man’s inner fury is telepathically channeled through his beloved monkey which carries out his most devious thoughts.

Jason Beghe, John Pankow, Kate McNeil, Joyce Van Patten, Christine Forrest, Stephen Root, Stanley Tucci, and Janine Turner star. The monkey Ella was played by Boo, with Frank Welker providing some of the noises she makes. Tom Savini handled the special effects, but Monkey Shines doesn’t go heavy on the bloodshed like some of the other movies Romero and Savini made together.

Our Best Horror Movie You Never Saw series is dedicated to highlighting horror films that, for one reason or another, don’t get as much love as we think they should. We know plenty of you horror hounds out there will have seen many of the movies we pick, but there will be plenty of you who have not.

The Monkey Shines episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Jason Hewlett, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Have you already seen Monkey Shines, and if so, are you a fan of the movie? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

A couple previous episodes of the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw series can be seen below. To see more, and to check out some of our other shows, head over to the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!