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Comedy drama

Spanking the Monkey (1994): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Spanking the Monkey (1994) movie poster

Spanking the Monkey is a 1994 comedy drama directed by David O. Russell, starring Jeremy Davies and Alberta Watson. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide on a $200,000 budget. It won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 1995. Critics gave it 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
worldwide gross
$1.4M
awards won
2
Metascore
66
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Spanking the Monkey (1994) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
David O. Russell
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$200K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Spanking the Monkey About?

The premise of Spanking the Monkey without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A pre-med student's aspirations for a coveted internship are challenged when he must care for his ailing mother. While dealing with her anxieties and an uncertain romantic relationship with a neighbor, Raymond also confronts his controlling father. He struggles to balance his personal dreams and ambitions with the responsibilities of caring for his family, leading to a humorous and poignant exploration of growing up.

Spanking the Monkey Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mother son incest
  • incest
  • female topless nudity
  • sexually frustrated woman
  • neglected wife
  • sexually dissatisfied wife
  • masturbation
  • independent film
  • nudity
  • cheating wife
  • cheating husband
  • woman in a shower
+38 more
  • jumping off cliff
  • adultery
  • title spoken by character
  • son bathing mother
  • three word title
  • mother seduces son
  • medical student
  • coming of age
  • teenage sexuality
  • emptying a bed pan
  • bedridden
  • german shepherd
  • bare chested male
  • house work
  • gardening
  • camera shot of a woman's bare feet
  • leg cast
  • wearing a retainer
  • frustration
  • man in a shower
  • slip and fall
  • dog eating groceries
  • climbing out a window in underwear
  • smoking a joint
  • man carries a woman
  • woman wrapped in a towel
  • woman sits on a toilet
  • woman uses crutches
  • dark comedy
  • student
  • close up male belly
  • attempted suicide
  • bullying father
  • hitchhiking
  • doctor
  • dysfunctional family
  • birthmark
  • traveling salesman
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Cast & crew

Spanking the Monkey Cast

Jeremy Davies leads the cast, with Alberta Watson. Directed by David O. Russell.

From the director

More from David O. Russell

More films directed by David O. Russell, best-rated first: American Hustle, The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and Three Kings.

Full filmography
Ratings

Spanking the Monkey Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Spanking the Monkey 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

Plot

Spanking the Monkey Plot Summary

What happens in Spanking the Monkey from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the scorching summer sun casts its heat upon the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ray Aibelli finds himself at a crossroads. He is torn between fulfilling a prestigious medical internship and caring for his ailing mother, Susan, who is struggling with a leg injury that has rendered her homebound. Compounding the situation is the impending departure of his father, Tom, a salesman heading off on an extended business trip, leaving Susan feeling neglected and emotionally stranded due to Tom’s infidelities.

Full summary

The whole story of Spanking the Monkey, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Spanking the Monkey Box Office & Budget

Spanking the Monkey grossed $1.4 million worldwide on a $200,000 budget, 6.8 times what it cost.

1994 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.4M

6.8× its budget

US & Canada
$1.4M
Budget
$200K
Awards

Spanking the Monkey Awards & Nominations

Spanking the Monkey won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 1995.

2 wins4 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Spanking the Monkey Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Spanking the Monkey.

Spanking the Monkey trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Spanking the Monkey?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What prestigious internship is Ray Aibelli torn between?

Cars

Cars in Spanking the Monkey

7 cars on screen, including the 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and the 1967 Oldsmobile 98.

All 7 cars
  • 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Spanking the Monkey 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Important role
  • 1967 Oldsmobile 98 in Spanking the Monkey 1967 Oldsmobile 98 Important role
  • Chevrolet Cavalier in Spanking the Monkey Chevrolet Cavalier Minor role
  • 1988 Freightliner FLD 120 in Spanking the Monkey 1988 Freightliner FLD 120 Minor role
Details

Spanking the Monkey Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “Secretos íntimos” and “להצליף בקוף”.

Also known as
  • Secretos íntimos
  • להצליף בקוף
  • Раскрепощение
  • Да напляскаш маймунката
  • 打猴子

Seen Spanking the Monkey?

FAQ

Spanking the Monkey FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Spanking the Monkey, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Spanking the Monkey?

Spanking the Monkey runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Spanking the Monkey released?

Spanking the Monkey was released on July 15, 1994.

Who directed Spanking the Monkey?

Spanking the Monkey was directed by David O. Russell.

More films by David O. Russell

Who is in the cast of Spanking the Monkey?

Spanking the Monkey stars Jeremy Davies and Alberta Watson.

How much did Spanking the Monkey make at the box office?

Spanking the Monkey grossed $1.4 million worldwide on a budget of $200,000.

How is Spanking the Monkey rated?

Spanking the Monkey has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 66 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

What awards did Spanking the Monkey win?

Spanking the Monkey won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 1995.

Does Spanking the Monkey have a post-credit scene?

No. Spanking the Monkey has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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