Summary

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie delivers a nostalgic and heartfelt journey to the past, satisfying fans of the TV show. The movie acknowledges how the world has changed and people have moved on from Adrian Monk, making it more than just a nostalgia trip. Tony Shalhoub’s performance as Monk is one of his best, exploring the character on a deeper level than the original series, with a focus on his personal growth.

The name Adrian Monk may not have the same effect as it did 14 years ago, which the movie itself acknowledges, but Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie still delivers a satisfying journey to the past that is both nostalgic and heartfelt. Helmed by long-time Monk director Randy Zisk in a project that sees the return of executive producers Andry Breckman (who created the show and also wrote the movie) and David Hoberman, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie could not have been more creatively close to the TV show. While this means the movie does not present major surprises in terms of tone or humor, it also means that those of us who followed Mr. Monk’s weekly adventures in the early 2000s will get everything we could hope for.

Fourteen years have passed since Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) solved his wife’s murder, which also led him to discover that Trudy Monk (Melora Hardin) had a daughter from a previous relationship, Molly Evans (Caitlin McGee). Monk is now preparing for Molly’s wedding, but the past two years of his life haven’t been easy. Although Monk ended with Adrian showing progress in his treatment for OCD, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the character hugely. Monk is back to square one, and not even great friends like Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford), and Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) can properly reconnect with him. However, when a tragedy strikes someone close to him, Mr. Monk has to return to action for one of the most personal cases of his career. The investigation leads Adrian to billionaire Rick Eden (James Purefoy), who wants to be the first civilian to orbit Earth.

Related 15 Best Monk Episodes, Ranked Monk had numerous beloved and brilliant episodes over its 8 seasons. Many received critical acclaim and even earned the show several accolades.

Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford), and Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie

At a time when any concluded TV show that has had an impact on pop culture is seen as potential fodder for remakes and reboots, it’s natural to be wary of a Monk reunion movie. Fortunately, although Mr. Monk’s Last Case isn’t too different from the show’s best episodes, it never feels like it was made simply to surf on nostalgia. On the contrary, the Monk movie acknowledges how Adrian Monk may not mean what it once did, with some meta references to how the world has changed and people have moved on. Certainly, Monk was a pioneer in its genre, and the character’s legacy can be seen from Castle to Lucifer. That said, Mr. Monk’s Last Case is more than just meta jokes or references to the original show.

It’s easy to forget that over a decade has passed since Monk’s series finale aired when Shalhoub delivers one of his best performances ever as the beloved detective.

One of the worst mistakes of similar reboots is pretending that time hasn’t passed, with characters and their dynamics being the same as what we remembered from years ago. Although the essence of Monk’s main characters is there, they are not the same people they were 14 years ago. Life goes on, and new relationships are built. This is exemplified by simple things, such as Randy now being a sheriff in New Jersey, but also by significant changes, such as the dynamic between Monk and his therapist, Dr. Nevel Bell (Hector Elizondo). The story focuses partially on Molly, a character originally introduced in the series’ final episode, which also helps the film feel like something new and not just another Monk case.

Molly Evans (Caitlin McGee) and Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie

While the feeling of how time has passed is one of the best things about the movie, Shalhoub shines in making it seem like he never stopped playing Monk. It’s easy to forget that over a decade has passed since Monk’s series finale aired when Shalhoub delivers one of his best performances ever as the beloved detective. Mr. Monk’s Last Case explores the character on a level that not even the original series, which pioneered dealing with mental health on TV in a more sensitive and non-stereotypical way, did. Incorporating the COVID-19 pandemic into the story made sense, especially considering the project was born out of the cast’s brief online reunion for Mr. Monk Shelters In Place in 2020, but the deconstruction of this “2023 Monk” goes beyond the effects of the pandemic.

The Monk reunion is a film made for fans of the TV show — it doesn’t try to go beyond that, which is ultimately good news. There’s a feeling of comfort in seeing Adrian, Natalie, Randy, and Leland together again, and the story is good enough to justify their reunion. The film’s weakest point is the case itself, which fails to be as interesting or challenging as the ones in Monk’s most iconic episodes. Still, Mr. Monk’s Last Case is more about Adrian Monk as a person than a detective, which leads to some of the best scenes in the history of the character. For those who ever missed hearing “Here’s what happened…” in the last 14 years, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie is a guarantee of a good time.

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie begins streaming on Peacock on Friday, December 8. The movie is 90 minutes long.

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie Director: Randy Zisk Cast: Tony Shalhoub, Melora Hardin, Ted Levine, Traylor Howard, Hector Elizondo, Jason Gray-Stanford Rating: Not Yet Rated Genres: Comedy, Crime Writers: Andy Breckman Studio(s): Peacock Distributor(s): Peacock