The Monk and the Gun

Play trailer

2:23

The Monk and the Gun

PG-13

2024

1h 47m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world's youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren't enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Surrounding its poignant insights with a gentle layer of crowd-pleasing comedy, The Monk and the Gun is a timely political satire that underscores the fragility of democracy.

Read Critics Reviews

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

02/13/2024

Very funny indeed. It has some thoughts about democracy, and some thoughts about American democracy.

Go to Full Review

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

02/13/2024

It's a charming movie and it wears its ethnography lightly.

Go to Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

02/08/2024

3.5/4

The Monk and the Gun delivers a gentle caress of a message that’s quietly delivered, but holds power in this volatile American election year.

Go to Full Review

William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

09/03/2024

3.5/5

In The Monk and the Gun, the establishment of one of the youngest democracies in the world is told in satirically amusing and biting ways.

Go to Full Review

James Marsh

South China Morning Post

08/25/2024

4/5

The film hums with a charming, grassroots authenticity ... , interweaving a hilarious crime caper with homespun realism that elevates the material far above its occasionally rough technical merits.

Go to Full Review

Filipe Freitas

Always Good Movies

08/18/2024

3.5/5

Dorji’s perspective is bracing, and his film a serene experience.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

JJ

03/14/2025

Delightful! An insightful reflection of humanity and freedom of a very different culture ❤️

See more

Lisa M

03/04/2024

This was such a great and funny film. Loved it!

See more

Christopher S

02/18/2024

So much to see on this I can’t really get to it all without spoilers. Suspenseful build up to the end. Genuinely satisfying. Now when all the influencers see this movie, they are definitely going there…oh well

See more

Graeme

02/12/2024

Loved the simplicity and authenticity of showing Bhutan as it is.

See more

Ethan R

@Ethan.R98 Dec 9

It feels like a soft wake up call, funny without being fake, deep without trying too hard. Reminded me that change doesn’t need to scream to be powerful.

See more

Judith K

@ziqiongmom 01/22/2025

People who like to see foreign movies about little known countries and cultures will love this film. It is a light-hearted comedy about cultural and political change in Bhutan. The director used non-professional actors (including a real life monk acting the role of a llama), who were believable. The scenery is beautiful. I found the film an uplifting distraction to watch during troubled times.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Pawo Choyning Dorji

Director

Harry Einhorn

Ronald Colman

Tandin Wangchuk

Tashi

Deki Lhamo

Tshomo

Pema Zangmo Sherpa

Tshering Yangden

Tandin Sonam

Actor

Sing Sing

97%

98%

Sing Sing

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sing Sing

The Last Dance

100%

97%

The Last Dance

Watchlist

Black Dog

98%

89%

Black Dog

Watchlist

Know Your Place

%

%

Know Your Place

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Know Your Place

The Brutalist

93%

79%

The Brutalist

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Brutalist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Monk and the Gun: Trailer 1

2:23

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world's youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren't enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.

Director: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Producer: Jean-Christophe Simon, Feng Hsu, Stephanie Lai, Pawo Choyning Dorji
Screenwriter: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Dangphu Dingphu: A 3 Pigs Production, Wooden Trailer Productions, Visions Sud Est, An Amandala Production, Journey to The East Films, The Jim Henson Company, Closer Media, Tomson Films, Films Boutique, N8 Studios, CNC Aide aux cinémas du monde - Institut Français
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 9, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $164.5K
Runtime: 1h 47m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1