Bad Monkey’s Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith Hagner

by

Bad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith Hagner

Quick Links

  • Who Is Eve in Bad Monkey?
  • Hagner Brings the Remorseless Eve to Life in Bad Monkey

As a seasoned film critic with a keen eye for raw talent and captivating performances, I must say that watching Eve in Bad Monkey was nothing short of mesmerizing. The actress, whose name is Hagner (though I’m still trying to figure out how to pronounce it), delivered a spellbinding portrayal of a character who could easily have been one-dimensional but instead turned out to be a multi-layered enigma.

Apple TV+’s black comedy crime drama, titled “Bad Monkey,” has been unexpectedly successful. In this series, Vince Vaughn plays Andrew Yancy, who used to be a detective but now works as a food inspector. An intriguing case lands on his desk when he encounters a severed arm. The story unfolds through several interconnected plots, with a narrator guiding us, as Yancy delves into a web of corruption and greed while investigating the case.

This movie or show draws inspiration from the same-titled novel by Carl Hiaasen. Vaughn delivers a captivating performance as the main character, and the secondary actors are equally intriguing. One performer, in particular, is poised to steal the spotlight and make a significant impact on this series.

Read Our Review

Who Is Eve in Bad Monkey?

Bad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith Hagner

In the third episode, it’s revealed that Nick Stripling, portrayed by Rob Delaney, isn’t truly deceased as previously believed. Instead, he orchestrated a ruse by having his arm severed and paying a fisherman to find the limb. This misleads the authorities into thinking he’s gone for good. However, it turns out that Nick Stripling, along with his wife Eve Stripling (Meredith Hagner), have more extensive plans up their sleeves.

In the fourth episode, viewers discover that Eve, a budding actress who’s making ends meet by waiting tables at a bar, encounters Nick. As it turns out, many aspiring actors find themselves in similar situations. During their chat, Nick perceives Eve as beyond his social circle, but she takes notice once she finds out about his wealth.

In a more casual style, we could say: Eve, who’s often seen as a gold-digger, starts getting involved with Nick. She keeps pushing him to fulfill his promise of providing her with a luxurious lifestyle. All she’s after is this lavish life, and she’s ready to go to great lengths – extreme lengths, in fact – to obtain it. This includes marrying the man she thinks will shower her with all that she yearns for.

In the course of the narrative, it becomes evident that Eve is indeed the one pulling the strings, not Nick. Yet, she does so with an adorable, whimsical demeanor. Clad in airy sundresses and never without her pet dog Tilly, she presents as a charming yet haughty wealthy woman. However, beneath this sugarcoated exterior lies a much darker character. She has Nick under her spell. His desperation to keep her is so intense that he resorts to self-mutilation to prevent her departure. The story might seem too fantastical, but Eve’s mastery of manipulation and disregard for others reveals a fractured yet malevolent personality. Remarkably, she manages to drive Nick to such extremes with minimal persuasion.

Through October 9, 2024, the series spans its 10 episodes, and it’s evident that Eve isn’t someone to trifle with, thanks to several key instances. She issues threats playfully and doesn’t think twice about eliminating adversaries or getting others to do her bidding. She embodies the ultimate femme fatale while appearing as if she enjoys brunch with friends every Sunday and chats about neighborhood gossip. The character is brilliantly portrayed by Hagner, who could potentially steal the show alongside Vaughn, positioning herself as the standout newcomer in this series.

Meredith Hagner Is a Rising Star

Bad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith Hagner

Though you might not recognize her straight away, Hagner – wedded to Wyatt Russell (son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn) – has been acting since 2008. She made a significant debut as Liberty Ciccone in the daytime soap opera “As the World Turns,” where she starred from 2008 to 2010. Interestingly, her character Eve carries a hint of soap operatic flavor, with its over-the-top performances and dramatic scenes suggesting that Hagner still retains some of her soap opera flair. She was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance, which opened doors for more acting opportunities.

After that, I became a regular cast member in the FX drama “Lights Out” back in 2011, and then I starred on the TBS sitcom “Men at Work” from 2012 to 2014. However, my most significant role yet was landing the part of Portia Davenport in HBO Max’s dark comedy “Search Party.” This character, much like Eve, is a shallow actress who bears some resemblance to me. I share a friendship with the show’s main character, Dory, and help her unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of an old college companion. My performance as Portia garnered positive reviews and put my name on the map. In 2016, Rolling Stone even listed my character among the best TV characters of that year.

In various productions such as the Facebook Watch series ‘Strangers’, Quibi’s comedy ‘Dummy’, and films like ‘Hits’ (2014), ‘Folk Hero & Funny Guy’ (2016), ‘The Oath’ (2018), and ‘Brightburn’ (2019), Hagner has taken on supporting roles. In the TV show ‘Younger’, she portrayed Montana, a barista who was a friend of Maggie (Debi Mazar). Initially, Montana worked as a barista, but later took up a role as Maggie’s assistant until she was discovered copying her art. The series ‘Strangers’, where she played a significant character, ran from 2017 to 2018. Hagner has also made appearances in numerous other shows, ranging from ‘Veep’ to ‘CSI: Miami’, and has taken on both leading and minor roles in her acting career.

More recently, prior to her role as Eve in “Bad Monkey”, Hagner was seen in the 2020 film “Palm Springs”. In this movie, Andy Samberg and Christin Milioti portrayed characters named Nyles and Sarah, who meet at a wedding and find themselves trapped in a time loop. Hagner’s character was Nyles’ girlfriend and a bridesmaid at the wedding. It is her performance in “Bad Monkey”, however, that may encourage viewers to see Hagner as a multitalented actor.

Hagner Brings the Remorseless Eve to Life in Bad Monkey

Bad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith HagnerBad Monkey's Breakout Star Is Undoubtedly Meredith Hagner

Hagner skillfully portrays Eve, a woman who firmly believes she’s entitled to the world’s riches and fame. Desperate for success, she’s willing to go to any lengths to achieve it. Her actions towards Nick are manipulative, yet he finds himself unable to resist her allure. She has a knack for saying just the right thing at the right time. The chilling switch between friendliness and contempt, followed by threats and then warmth again, is both convincing and terrifying. It seems as though she’s living out her greatest performance in real life – the character she presents to the world is a facade she takes pride in maintaining.

There are complex aspects to Eve’s persona, which Hagner skillfully portrays, from her infectious laughter to her stern demeanor when she wants someone to understand that she won’t think twice about taking action. And take action she does, repeatedly. She manipulates her husband into committing heinous acts, orders her henchman Egg (David St. Louis) to do the same, or even resorts to doing it herself. Eve is single-mindedly focused on her own interests and luxurious possessions, but she has a knack for making those around her believe that she genuinely cares about them and their wellbeing. She carries out despicable deeds with an air of nonchalance, as if nothing else truly matters in the grand scheme of things.

In an interview with Collider, Hagner reveals that the character she portrays is genuinely a psychopath, and she finds it thrilling as an actress to embody this textbook sociopath. She explains, “I’m essentially playing someone who lacks all empathy.” Interestingly, Hagner clarifies that her portrayal of Eve doesn’t depict her as a villain, as Eve perceives herself as justified in all her actions. According to Hagner, for Eve, performing horrific acts is as simple as getting a cup of coffee.

Just as spectators found themselves captivated by Meghann Fahy in “The White Lotus” season 2 and questioning her absence, viewers may find themselves asking the same about Hagner. This role is poised to serve as a significant stepping stone for her already promising career. Known primarily for her work in indie films and projects, Hagner’s list of high-profile roles is relatively short. However, with her portrayal of Eve, a character that blends soap opera drama, beachy charm, and narcissism in equal measure, it seems her phone will soon be inundated with calls. Let’s ensure this talented actor gets the roles she deserves. While Eve may have struggled as an actress, Hagner undoubtedly has not. Don’t miss out on her performance in “Bad Monkey,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

Read More

2024-09-11 05:02