‘Bad Monkey’: Evidence points to one suspect in Nick Stripling's murder, but is she really the killer?

As the story unfolds we learn that Nick Stripling's mysterious death was ruled as drowning, but there might be more to it than what meets the eye
Vince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez take on the lead roles in 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)
Vince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez take on the lead roles in 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)

This article contains spoilers and speculations for 'Bad Monkey'  

KEY WEST, FLORIDA: 'Bad Monkey' premiered on Apple TV with its first two episodes, introducing us to Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn), a detective on suspension for assaulting his girlfriend's husband. Despite his suspension, Yancy gets entangled in a case he'd rather avoid.

As the story unfolds, we learn about Nick Stripling's mysterious death, ruled as drowning, but suspected by many - including his daughter - to be a murder orchestrated by his wife, Eve Stripling (Meredith Hagner). As the first two episodes of 'Bad Monkey' come to a close, a compelling theory emerges: Nick's death may be linked to Eve's plan with Christopher (her new boyfriend), and Eve potentially pulling the strings to get him out of the way. 

Did Eve Stripling kill Nick Stripling in 'Bad Monkey'?

A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)
A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)

Eve's lack of concern for Nick's death is a glaring red flag. She shows no emotional response, sadness, or shock, which raises a lot of suspicion. Eve's ridiculously casual attitude towards her husband's death makes me wonder if she ever truly loved him, or if she was just infatuated with his wealth and status.

Nick's daughter, Caitlin, notices Eve's indifference and becomes convinced that she's responsible for his murder. Caitlin's instincts lead her to believe that Eve's demeanor is more than just a facade, for obvious reasons and she's determined to uncover the truth.

By pointing Yancy in the direction of Eve's connection to Christopher in the Bahamas, Caitlin sets the investigation in motion.

Yancy and Rosa find incriminating evidence against Eve, but is she really the killer? 

A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)
A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)

A shocking discovery was made at Eve's residence, where investigators uncovered blood and bone fragments in the shower. I mean, you can't fake that kind of evidence - it's clear that something truly heinous went down. But 

This evidence adds substantial weight to Caitlin's accusations, making Eve a prime suspect. The investigation now has taken a dark turn, revealing a potentially sinister plot involving Eve and Christopher. As the truth begins to reveal itself, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems in 'Bad Monkey'.

Let's face it: Eve feels like the obvious suspect. It’s almost a cliché that the spouse is the one behind these things. But Yancy’s find at Eve’s place raises more questions than answers. Could there be another layer to this story? Could it be the mystery boyfriend? Only time will tell if Eve really did it.

What's next for Eve 'Bad Monkey'?

A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)
A still from 'Bad Monkey' (@appletv+)

Eve's already shown her true colors in 'Bad Monkey' - selfish, manipulative, and uncaring. Her quick rebound with a new boyfriend only adds to the suspicion. If she's truly innocent, she needs to make amends with her stepdaughter and prove she loves her husband.

The best way to do this? Reject the $5 million insurance payout. This would eliminate the primary motive for murder and might just earn her daughter's trust. However, if Eve is the killer, she's doing a terrible job pretending to be innocent. Every time she's on screen, something definitely feels off. Her actions scream guilt, and it's hard to believe she's not hiding something.

Either way, Eve's got a long way to go to redeem herself in 'Bad Monkey' as we are only done with the first 2 episodes. Stay tuned to find out what happens next in 'Bad Monkey'.

'Bad Monkey' trailer



 

'Bad Monkey' is available to stream on Apple TV+ from Wednesday, August 14.

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