Three Monkeys (2008)

In the shadowy corners of Istanbul, near the shimmering Bosporus, the drama of Three Monkeys unfolds, a tale steeped in tragedy and steeped in betrayal. This is the story of Eyüp and Hacer, a modest couple, and their son Ismail, a young man whose future stands on the precipice of uncertainty, his academic prospects waning. Their lives are steeped in the heaviness of an unspoken past tragedy, the specter of which haunts their sparse exchanges. Late one night, Servet, a wealthy businessman with political aspirations and Eyüp's employer, strikes a pedestrian on a desolate road. Fearful of the consequences, Servet retreats from the scene, leaving behind not just a lifeless body, but also a moral dilemma in the hands of Eyüp. In a desperate bid to escape the repercussions, Servet offers Eyüp a deal: to serve a likely six-month sentence in his stead, promising a generous monetary reward at the end. Drawn by the allure of a secure future, Eyüp accepts the offer, stepping into the confines of prison and leaving his family in a precarious situation. During Eyüp's incarceration, Ismail, reckless and ambitious, yearns for a taste of independence and sees an opportunity in part of the promised payoff - enough to buy a car and start a school driving service. The plot thickens when the beautiful Hacer, driven by her son's wishes, approaches Servet for an advance on Eyüp's payoff. The wealthy Servet, however, sees more than a simple transaction - he sees an opportunity to pursue Hacer. As Ismail stumbles upon the secret rendezvous between his mother and Servet, a whirlwind of suspicion, anger, and desperation ensues. Upon Eyüp's release, he finds his world subtly altered. His wife has used part of his payoff to buy the coveted car, but Servet hasn't deducted the amount. The seeds of doubt are sown, leading Eyüp to question Hacer's fidelity and setting the stage for an inevitable family tragedy. The story of Three Monkeys is a haunting exploration of guilt, trust, and the corrosive power of secrets, where each decision echoes like a footstep in an empty alley, leading the characters deeper into the labyrinth of their own making.

Three Monkeys is a drama movie featuring Yavuz Bingöl and directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.

Three Monkeys is currently streaming on Mubi.