Critic Reviews

While it's a little bit of a throwback to the '90s when shows overflowing with characters that eventually all come together were more prominent, it's also got a hip, modern tone. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Bad Monkey is delightfully impure escapism. [26 Aug - 15 Sep 2024, p.4]

“Bad Monkey” the TV series is a near-perfect realization of “Bad Monkey” the novel.

The “Swingers” star [Vince Vaughn] is a perfect match to play former Miami detective Andrew Yancy. .... “Bad Monkey” is indeed bananas, in the best ways possible.

A vehicle tailor-made for its leading funnyman Vince Vaughn—and one of the year’s sunniest surprises.

Vince Vaughn is in his element as a fast-talking detective in Apple TV+’s engagingly weird mystery comedy Bad Monkey.

The 10-episode crime dramedy, developed by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso), gives Vaughn a showcase to do what he does best — though with a gentler, more mature polish.

Vaughn is so good, the entire cast of characters (which also includes Scott Glenn as Yancy’s laid-back dad, and Alex Moffatt as a developer with what Yancy describes as ” the most punchable face I’ve ever seen not on a golf course”) so much fun, and the vibes so strong, that the mystery very quickly becomes besides the point. The season covers the entire book, but the last scene leaves the door open for more adventures of Andrew Yancy. By that point, you may, like me, feel eager to spend more time with this fast-talking man and his surreal little corner of the world.

A low-key but non-stop-talking Vaughn turns out to be just the glue to hold everything together. .... I found myself drawn back to the characters, making this a series worth spending time with.

Bad Monkey may not be perfect, but, much like its source material, it feels like the perfect kind of summer viewing material. With a charismatic cast and a mostly compelling mystery, this series is another overall win for both Lawrence and Apple TV+.