Performance & Direction: The Monk Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Monk (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 1.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Monk features a noteworthy lineup led by Paul McGann . Supported by the likes of Sophie Ward and Isla Blair , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Monk (1990) is negative. With an audience rating of 1.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Monk
Quick Plot Summary: The Monk is a Drama, Horror film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Monk
Ending Breakdown: The Monk attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Monk reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Monk?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Monk
All Cast & Crew →
The Monk Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about The Monk age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Monk is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 1.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Monk stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1990 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Monk worth watching?
The Monk is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 1.7/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Monk parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Monk identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Monk?
The total duration of The Monk is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
How The Monk Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Monk
I photographed this cover as part of its theatrical launch at Cannes. It is very dramatic and was shot as a three part photocomposite (before photoshop). The front bit is my business partner as the monk - the female below is the famous page three model, Gail Mckenna (Samantha Bond agency) and it was shot in a London studio. The flaming background was shot on the farm where I lived - we set fire to a load of old fencing - the image is heavily filtered, red and magenta for maximum effect. The face was from Paul McGann's advertising for the film - removing the existing face and combining the elements into the photocomposite image was by Dennis Novak and done on 10x8" transparency using the Unichrome method. Paul McGann's face is too small for the hood. I also understand he did not like the cover. We handled the entire theatrical release - brochures, posters photography, the lot. This film was among several at that time and followed a radical genre that called into question the matter of celibacy in the priest hood and how repression of instinct can produce a dramatic and powerful unconscious shadow. In a way it foreshadowed the terrible revelations about widespread abuse in the church that was to come to light later. The main conflict is predictable - a celibate priest fighting his instincts love for a woman - modern version of Abelard and Heloise with a modern and highly symbolic outcome.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
