Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023) Review

There are few detective shows as endearing and unique as ‘Monk’. Airing from 2002 to 2009, the series followed Adrian Monk, a brilliant former homicide detective with a crippling case of obsessive-compulsive disorder and a catalogue of phobias that could fill a medical journal. What made ‘Monk’ more than just a clever procedural was its heart: whether solving a case or avoiding handshakes, Monk was never alone. He had help- from the tough, no-nonsense Sharona (and later, the ever-patient Natalie), the gruff but loyal Captain Stottlemeyer and the lovably offbeat Lieutenant Disher. Together, they turned crime-solving into something funny, touching and- despite the chaos- weirdly comforting.

It’s been over a decade since Monk last straightened a crooked picture frame on primetime, but the character’s final bow comes in ‘Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie’- a return that feels less like a reboot and more like a long-overdue reunion. After tragedy befalls his stepdaughter Molly, Monk is pulled out of retirement for one last case- one that tests not only his legendary instincts but also his fragile grip on the world around him. As Monk navigates a noisy and chaotic San Francisco, the film becomes less about solving a mystery and more about finding peace- with the past, with loss and with himself.

‘Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie’ is a delight, both funny and sad, recapturing much of what made the show so great. Andy Breckman’s screenplay deftly balances comedy and melancholy, giving us a mystery that’s as much about emotional closure as it is about clues. The film knows exactly what it is: not a grand reinvention, but a heartfelt epilogue. It leans into nostalgia without being cloying, offering longtime fans the chance to say goodbye on Monk’s own neurotic, bittersweet terms.

What’s most striking about the film is its willingness to engage directly with Monk’s trauma, particularly his suicidal ideation- something the show often danced around but rarely confronted so openly. Here, it’s front and centre. The film doesn’t sensationalize his pain, nor does it offer easy answers. Instead, it approaches Monk’s mental health with compassion and gravity, while still allowing for the awkward humour that’s always accompanied his struggle. It’s a tricky tonal balancing act, but one that largely works.

Having said that, the central mystery- while serviceable- isn’t particularly engaging. Unlike the show’s best episodes, which often featured clever twists or satisfying reveals, the film’s case feels more like a vehicle for character moments than a puzzle worth solving. It isn’t a particularly tough case for Monk to crack, and longtime fans won’t be stumped- and will certainly find themselves missing the tightly constructed cases of Monk’s episodic heyday. The emotional stakes are high, but the investigative ones are not. In the end, it’s less about how Monk solves the case and more about why it matters to him- and to us.

Visually, the film retains the clean, sun-dappled aesthetic of the original series, though there’s a slightly more cinematic polish to the framing and lighting- just enough to feel like a movie, not a long episode. Jeff Beal’s score reprises familiar themes with a gentle melancholy, while the inspired use of Randy Newman’s ‘I Think It’s Going to Rain Today’ adds emotional resonance, deepening the drama of proceedings.

At the heart of it all is Tony Shalhoub, delivering a performance that’s as subtle and finely tuned as ever. He plays Monk not as a caricature of compulsions, but as a man worn down by grief and time, still trying to make sense of a world that overwhelms him. As there was in the show, there’s a gentleness to Shalhoub’s work- a quiet dignity that makes Monk’s pain all the more affecting. It’s a reminder of why the role won him so much acclaim in the first place.

Additionally, the returning supporting cast slip back into their roles with ease, each bringing the same lived-in familiarity that made the ensemble so beloved. Traylor Howard returns as Natalie with the same calm competence and warmth that always anchored Monk’s more manic tendencies. Ted Levine remains a gruff delight as Captain Stottlemeyer, his no-nonsense exterior still concealing a deep well of affection for Monk.

Jason Gray-Stanford’s Lieutenant Disher is as endearingly clueless as ever, though there’s a quiet maturity beneath the goofiness that suggests he’s grown over the years. Further, Hector Elizondo and Melora Hardin have a few beautifully realized moments as Monk’s long-suffering therapist Dr. Bell and his late wife Trudy, respectfully, while James Purefoy does fine work as the villainous, Elon Muskesque billionaire Rick Eden; even if the role is something of a smug caricature. Although it’s a shame Bitty Schram’s Sharona doesn’t make an appearance- and Austin Scott and Caitlin McGee’s performances are quite flat- for the most part the cast cannot be faulted.

‘Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie’ is a poignant send-off to a beloved character, brimming with the warmth and charm of the series. Anchored by Tony Shalhoub’s brilliant performance, the film is both bittersweet and endearing. While the mystery may not be among the show's best, and a few supporting performances fall a little flat, the respect and affection everyone involved has for the titular detective shines through. For longtime fans, the film feels like a gentle exhale- a last hug, a final tapped lamp. And for Monk, that might just be enough.