Ape vs. Monster

Ape vs. Monster

Year: 2021

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Lusko

Echo Score: 9
Science FictionAdventureAction

The Greatest of All Time! An ape crash-lands on Earth, which creates a sludge that makes him and a passing lizard grow to giant-size, resulting in a fight for dominance.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Ape vs. Monster yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Ape vs. Monster (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ape vs. Monster (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Near future (late 2000s–early 2010s)

The story unfolds after a 2007 ELBE mission failure, placing the events in a near-future context where secret space programs intersect with contemporary security concerns. It ties Cold War legacies to current geopolitical tensions and scientific experimentation. The timeline tracks rapid escalation from a crash investigation to a full-scale alien-threat crisis.

Location

Roswell, New Mexico, Langley Research Center, Virginia, Huntington, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Santa Fe, New Mexico

The crash site near Roswell, New Mexico triggers the investigation and public interest. Langley Research Center becomes the central hub for analysis, containment, and operations. The pursuit spans Huntington, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., culminating in plans to relocate Abraham to a safe facility near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

🗺️ Secret locations 🛰️ Military facilities 🏛️ U.S. government sites

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:08

Main Characters – Ape vs. Monster (2021)

Meet the key characters of Ape vs. Monster (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Linda Murphy (Arianna Scott)

A brilliant US scientist who leads the investigation into the ELBE crash, reporting to National Security Advisor Ethan Marcos. She navigates a fraught personal history with her estranged father while striving to understand Abraham and prevent a global catastrophe. Linda becomes the central field leader, coordinating scientists and soldiers against the mutated threat.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Leader 🧬 Research

Ethan Marcos (Eric Roberts)

National Security Advisor who oversees the operation and pushes for rapid action to keep the Russians from learning of the capsule's return. He embodies political calculus and strategic pressure, sometimes clashing with scientists over the pace of the mission. His decisions set the tempo for the crisis with far-reaching consequences.

🕵️ Policy 🗺️ Authority 🛰️ Security

Noah Murphy (Rudy Bentz)

Linda's father and a lead ELBE scientist who helped launch the mission; their relationship is strained by past uses of Abraham as the capsule's pilot. He reconciles with Linda and assists in countering the alien threat, providing technical guidance and moral support. His presence underscores scientific dedication and family loyalty.

🧬 Scientist ❤️ Family 🗺️ Legacy

Eva Kuleshov (Katie Sereika)

A Russian agent and scientist whose deception about the alien substance accelerates the mutation crisis. She manipulates the material to suit hidden agendas, pushing the team toward drastic actions. Her actions create tension and betrayals that shape the conflict.

🕵️ Spy 🧪 Deception 💼 Espionage

Jones (Shayne Hartigan)

Linda's assistant and lab technician who supports field operations and mutation research. He is pragmatic and loyal, aiding in the pursuit of Abraham; he is eventually devoured by the Gila monster during the crisis.

🧭 Assistant 🧪 Technician 🛡️ Courage

General Delaney (Sir Gregory Salonis)

Delaney, Reynolds' successor, leads the defense response against the mutated creatures. He orders the team to locate and neutralize the monsters, making high-stakes decisions that have deadly consequences. He dies during the Washington Monument incident, marking a turning point in the crisis.

🛡️ Military 🗺️ Command ⚔️ Defense

Captain Tsao (Casey Solomon)

Captain Tsao commands field operations and coordinates with Special Ops Shaw during the crisis. He faces ethical and strategic decisions as the threat escalates, guiding teams through dangerous encounters.

🗺️ Field Ops 🛡️ Leadership 🧭 Strategy

Special Ops Shaw (Quinn Baker)

Special Ops Shaw leads covert actions against Abraham and the Gila monster, enduring brutal combat and personal risk. He embodies the high-stakes, relentless response to the mutation crisis and pays a heavy price in the field.

🦾 Special Ops ⚔️ Combat 🧭 Resolve

Sgt. Peterson / Harker (Sir Gregory Salonis)

Sgt. Peterson (Harker) serves as frontline support among guards and field units, facing peril during critical moments. He embodies duty and sacrifice within the chaotic mission.

🪖 Soldier 🕯️ Veteran ⚖️ Duty

Abraham

A chimpanzee mutated by exposure to the alien substance, growing into a gigantic, predator-like form. The mutation drives the core conflict and tests the boundaries between ally and threat, depending on control of the alien influence.

🧬 Mutation 🐒 Animal 🧠 Intelligence

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:08

Major Themes – Ape vs. Monster (2021)

Explore the central themes of Ape vs. Monster (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧬 Mutation

Alien biochemistry mutates living beings, transforming Abraham and the Gila monster into formidable dangers. The theme uses mutation to examine the risks of unchecked experimentation and the moral responsibilities of scientists. It questions whether control is possible once biology crosses unknown boundaries.

🕵️ Conspiracy

The ELBE program and Eva's deception reveal a web of secrecy behind space partnerships and alien material. The presence of a Russian agent and hidden agendas highlights fragility in international alliances during a crisis. Decisions driven by power and secrecy intensify the danger faced by everyone.

🤝 Hope

Linda and Noah’s rekindled bond anchors the mission in family and responsibility. Together with a diverse team, they craft a plan to outmaneuver superior forces and protect civilians, including a signal-jamming strategy. The ending suggests trust and cooperation can guide humanity through overwhelming threats, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:08

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Ape vs. Monster Summary

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Ape vs. Monster Summary

Ape vs. Monster Timeline

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Ape vs. Monster Timeline

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Ape vs. Monster Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Ape vs. Monster

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