The Monkey King

The Monkey King

Year: 2023

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Anthony Stacchi

ActionAdventureFantasyComedyAnimationFamily

A mischievous monkey spirit, born from a magical stone, rises to become the legendary Monkey King. He sets out on a perilous quest to overcome a hundred demons and challenge a formidable Dragon King. Along the way, his journey is complicated by a compassionate village girl whose presence forces him to re-evaluate his ambitions and understand the consequences of his actions. He must ultimately learn the true meaning of power.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Monkey King (2023)

Trace every key event in The Monkey King (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Birth of Monkey

One night, a monkey is born from a stone atop a tall mountain, immediately catching the attention of the Jade Emperor. His birth disrupts the celestial balance, prompting the Emperor to order his elimination.

Night Tall Mountain
2

Buddha's Intervention

As the Jade Emperor prepares to act against the newborn monkey, Buddha appears and advises the Emperor to allow the monkey to find his purpose instead. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the monkey's journey ahead.

Heavens
3

Monkey Joins Troop

The monkey discovers a troop of other monkeys but struggles to fit in due to his unruly nature. His antics lead to trouble, causing a demon to attack the troop and snatch one of their cubs, resulting in his banishment.

Monkey Troop's Habitat
4

Training to Fight the Demon

Determined to prove his worth and protect the troop, the monkey spends years training to confront the demon that threatens them. However, when he eventually faces the demon, his efforts go in vain, and another cub is taken.

Years later Demon's Lair
5

The Quest for a Weapon

To find a more effective weapon, Monkey ventures into the sea realm of the Dragon King. In a crucial moment, he transforms a glowing column into a powerful staff, which he manages to steal just before escaping.

Sea Realm of the Dragon King
6

Defeating the Demon

With the newly acquired staff, Monkey returns to the demon's lair ready for a rematch. He successfully defeats the demon and rescues the captured cub, solidifying his status among the troop as their new king.

Demon's Lair
7

The Ambitious Quest

The troop's elder warns Monkey King that his powerful staff should only be wielded by the gods. Undeterred, Monkey sets out on an ambitious quest to slay 100 demons to earn his place in heaven.

8

Facing the Red Girl

After successfully slaying 99 demons, Monkey King encounters a village terrorized by the formidable Red Girl. With the support of a girl named Lin, he defeats her and gains her as an ally.

Village
9

The Dragon King's Return

During the celebration of his victory, the Dragon King emerges from the sea, seeking to reclaim his prized staff. A fierce battle ensues, but Monkey King manages to retain possession of the staff and leaves the village with Lin.

Village
10

The Quest for Immortality

To become an Immortal, Monkey King learns he needs to erase his name from the Scroll of Life and Death. He and Lin venture into a graveyard to confront King Yama and manage to strike his name off with Lin's assistance.

Graveyard
11

Stealing the Everlasting Life Book

After removing his name, Monkey King steals Yama's Book of Everlasting Life, which reveals he must consume a peach from the Orchard of Everlasting Life to achieve full immortality. This sets them on another quest.

Hell
12

Infiltrating the Jade Palace

In a daring move, Monkey King and Lin infiltrate the Jade Palace to create an elixir of immortality. However, they are caught by Wangmu, but in a swift turn of events, Monkey King consumes the potion and becomes fully immortal.

Jade Palace
13

A Heartfelt Connection

As they flee from the Heavens, Lin expresses her wish to make a difference in the world, while Monkey King remains focused on his own desires. Despite their differences, they begin to develop a deeper bond.

Heavens
14

Betrayal and Resignation

Manipulated by the Dragon King, Lin betrays Monkey King by delivering the staff. However, recognizing her mistake, she seeks a way to help him in the ensuing confrontation against the Dragon King.

Dragon King's Lair
15

Imprisonment and Reflection

In a climactic battle, Monkey King defeats the Dragon King but becomes blinded by power and attacks Heaven. Buddha gives him a chance for redemption, yet he fails and is imprisoned. He has a final poignant encounter with Lin, solidifying their bond.

Heavens
16

A New Beginning

After 500 years of imprisonment, Monkey King is freed by a monk, a pig, and a river spirit. They invite him to join them on a journey to the West, marking the start of a new adventure for the enlightened Monkey King.

500 years later

Last Updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:27

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The Monkey King Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Monkey King, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Monkey King Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Monkey King

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Monkey King. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Monkey King

The Monkey King Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Monkey King? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Monkey King Ending Explained

More About The Monkey King

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More About The Monkey King

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