Spanking the Monkey (1994): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- David O. Russell
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Fine Line Features
- Budget
- $200K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
Spanking the Monkey Cast
Jeremy Davies leads the cast, with Alberta Watson. Directed by David O. Russell.
-
Director David O. Russell
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.
Spanking the Monkey Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Spanking the Monkey 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 6.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
6.8× its budget
- US & Canada
- $1.4M
- Budget
- $200K
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
-
Spirit Awards 1995 2 wins · 4 nominations- Won Best First Feature
- Won Best First Screenplay – David O. Russell
- Nominated Best Debut Performance – Jeremy Davies
- Nominated Best Supporting Female – Carla Gallo
Spanking the Monkey Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Spanking the Monkey.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What prestigious internship is Ray Aibelli torn between?
Cars in Spanking the Monkey
7 cars on screen, including the 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and the 1967 Oldsmobile 98.
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1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Important role -
1967 Oldsmobile 98 Important role -
Chevrolet Cavalier Minor role -
1988 Freightliner FLD 120 Minor role
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?
Movies Like Spanking the Monkey
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Monkey Grip, Monkey Shines and Monkey-Love, Please Hold.
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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