In case you’ve ever been to an airport bookstore, likelihood is you’ve come throughout the title Carl Hiaasen. Hiaasen, a bestselling writer and journalist, is understood for his crime novels set in Florida that mix humor with biting social commentary.
His most memorable works embody Strip Tease, Vacationer Season and Unhealthy Monkey, which was launched in 2013. Hiaasen’s books have been tailored into movies earlier than, however the best-known is the 1996 movie starring Demi Moore.
Whereas that movie adaptation did not dwell as much as expectations, the present streaming period, dominated by collection like Reacher and The Lincoln Lawyer, appears like a perfect time to revive Hiaasen’s work.
Apple TV+ is taking one other stab at adapting Hiaasen’s Unhealthy Monkey into the massive display screen. This time, the collection pairs Hiaasen’s signature storytelling with Vince Vaughn, who returns to a number one function on tv for the primary time since True Detective season 2.
Vaughn stars alongside a powerful supporting solid directed by Invoice Lawrence, who has loved nice success because the creator of such beloved collection as Ted Lasso and Shrinking. With such a famend crew behind him, Unhealthy Monkey appears poised for achievement.
Nevertheless, the collection had been in improvement for 2 years and was launched quietly, with out a lot promotion, leaving some to surprise if the collection resides as much as its potential.
What’s ‘Unhealthy Monkey’ about?
The premise of Unhealthy Monkey is predicated on Hiaasen’s 2013 novel, which begins with a placing thriller. A gaggle of sport fishermen encounter a severed arm floating within the ocean, its center finger completely prolonged in an unmistakable gesture.
Former police detective-turned-restaurant inspector Andrew Yancy (performed by Vaughn) is given the unenviable process of seizing the arm and holding it beneath wraps to keep away from dangerous press. Nevertheless, Yancy quickly discovers that the case is extra difficult than it appears, main him into an internet of corruption, crime and chaos.
The collection additionally introduces a subplot involving Neville Stafford (Ronald Peet), a Bahamian fisherman who turns into entangled in a sinister revenge plot. After his childhood house is destroyed and changed with a luxurious improvement constructed by businessman Christopher (Rob Delaney) and his accomplice Eve (Meredith Hagner), Neville seeks revenge.
He kinds a harmful pact with a non secular shaman often known as the Dragon Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith), and because the our bodies start to pile up, Yancy finds himself more and more embroiled in a thriller involving the identical individuals he as soon as labored with on the police drive. With a number of intertwining storylines and characters, Unhealthy Monkey retains viewers guessing because the plot unfolds.
Vince Vaughn is a hilarious agent of chaos in ‘Unhealthy Monkey’
Unhealthy Monkey, for each good and dangerous causes—however principally good—appears like a non secular successor to reveals like Reacher, with Vince Vaughn changing Reacher’s Alan Ritchson. Like Reacher, Unhealthy Monkey options an assortment of twists, corruption, and surprising turns, however with a extra comedic bent that units it aside.
The present’s stability of humor and crime offers it a particular taste that stands out in a crowded subject of crime dramas. Followers of Reacher will probably get pleasure from Unhealthy Monkey , although how a lot they recognize it’ll depend upon how they really feel about Vaughn’s signature comedic model.
On this collection, Vaughn leans closely into his fast-talking, quick-witted persona, a method that has divided audiences through the years. Some viewers love his sarcastic appeal, whereas others discover it annoying.
However in Unhealthy Monkey, Vaughn’s efficiency is completely suited to the function of Andrew Yancy, a personality who embodies the eccentricities and chaos of Florida itself. Yancy, like many Florida Man characters, is each charismatic and unpredictable, resulting in a collection of chaotic and sometimes absurd conditions.
Vaughn clearly relishes his function, bringing an power and comedic aptitude that retains the present entertaining. Whereas Yancy could appear considerably just like different characters Vaughn has performed earlier than, he’s the proper match for this darkish comedy with a crime-solving twist.
‘The thriller of Unhealthy Monkey turns into too difficult for its personal good
Because the collection progresses, Unhealthy Monkey’s central thriller loses its readability, changing into extra convoluted and complicated. With 10 episodes of over 45 minutes every, the present has loads of time to develop its storylines, however generally that works towards it.
After some time, the twists and turns begin to really feel repetitive and the pacing slows down. Like many different latest streaming reveals, Unhealthy Monkey typically ends episodes on cliffhangers that should preserve viewers engaged. Sadly, these cliffhangers are generally resolved too shortly within the subsequent episode, diminishing their impression.
The collection might need benefited from a distinct launch technique, corresponding to dropping all episodes directly for a binge expertise. Regardless of these pacing points, the collection manages to stay intriguing sufficient to maintain viewers engaged, though the plot can generally really feel overly advanced.
One of many present’s weaknesses is that a number of subplots fail to achieve satisfying conclusions. Michelle Monaghan performs Bonnie Witt, a former love curiosity of Yancy’s, however her storyline would not contribute considerably to the principle thriller.
As an alternative, it serves primarily to develop Yancy’s new relationship with Natalie Martinez’s character, Rosa. Whereas Monaghan delivers a strong efficiency, her character is underused. Happily, the remainder of the supporting solid makes up for a few of these shortcomings.
John Ortiz stands out particularly as Rogelio, Yancy’s good friend and former accomplice, whose private points add humor and depth to the present. Delaney and Hagner, identified for his or her comedic work, tackle extra sinister roles right here and achieve this with talent, including an additional layer of rigidity to the plot.
Unhealthy Monkey might have its flaws, however the mixture of a gifted solid, participating storylines and darkish humor makes it an pleasant watch, particularly for crime comedy followers searching for one thing new.
