Episode #161 – Monkey Shines (1988)

What this episode covers

In the latest episode of My Bloody Podcast, the crew takes a deep dive into the surreal world of Monkey Shines, a 1988 oddity that flips between genres with the abandon of an apocalyptic fever dream. The hosts; Bryan Kluger, Preston Barta, and Chelsea Nicole, slice through this bizarre entry into the horror canon, which may just be the strangest concoction of the ‘80s cinematic era. Directed by George Romero, the maestro of undead lore, Monkey Shines follows a young man who, after a life-changing accident, is left a quadriplegic. His well-meaning friend gifts him a monkey to assist with his daily routine, and thus begins a bizarre journey of dependency, control, and, ultimately, bloodshed. What starts as a tale of compassion and adaptation quickly spirals into a psychological thriller, the creeping unease of the plot juxtaposed with moments of farcical absurdity. The movie transitions, often in jarring fashion, from a lighthearted comedy to melodrama, from steamy eroticism to full-blown horror. At its core, it is a film that blurs genre lines, not unlike the discordant soundtrack of Monkey Shines itself, an unholy union of terror and pathos. But can this hodgepodge be salvaged as a brilliant exercise in genre-blending, or does the film collapse under the weight of its own ambitious chaos? That is the question the My Bloody Podcast team wrestles with in this week’s episode. As the host of the show, Bryan Kluger brings his signature sharp wit and unapologetic love of dark humor, offering biting commentary on Romero’s experiment in mixing the supernatural with the very human fears of disability and isolation. Preston Barta, ever the voice of horror analysis, dives into the narrative structure, the shifting tones, and the inherent absurdities of the film, illuminating the psychological layers that may escape the casual viewer. Chelsea Nicole, the cultural critic of the trio, was regrettably absent for this episode, but her incisive observations on the interplay between disability, dependency, and the monstrous, while not present in this installment are ever-looming. In true My Bloody Podcast fashion, the hosts don’t shy away from the film's more uncomfortable themes, questioning the ethical boundaries of science and technology in aiding those with disabilities and exploring the often-awkward romanticization of animals in human narratives. In the end, what becomes clear is that Monkey Shines is as much a film about humanity’s deepest fears as it is about the ways in which horror can evolve, often awkwardly, often with great joy, into something wholly unexpected. Whether you end up laughing, wincing, or scratching your head, it’s a film that demands a conversation. Amidst the thoughtful analysis, the hosts also dive into a slew of hot topics in the horror industry. This Week’s Highlights: What do we want from the Crystal Lake Series with Linda Cardelini? True Detective will be set in Jamaica Bay, New York, and ready in 2027. Francis Lawrence talks Constantine Sequel Update. Jacob Tremblay and Aaron Paul in Night House from Insidious Producer. Preston has a new Jurassic Park hot take. It’s a lively, fast-paced exploration of the horror world, where no topic is too taboo or too strange. Movie Analysis: MONKEY SHINES Animal horror has long trodden a peculiar path in the cinematic world, often existing at the intersection of primal fear and the complexities of human nature. While it is not always a one-to-one metaphor for man vs. nature, the genre frequently explores how humans respond to threats from the animal kingdom, real or imagined. But what happens when the roles are reversed? Are there films where the animals are not menacing? Is there more to these creatures than simply their terrifying potential? In Monkey Shines, George Romero steps outside his usual genre boundaries,

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