She starred as Eva Geller in the 2020 Netflix thriller series Messiah it was cancelled after one season. She also starred as Sarah Lane in the drama series The Path (2016–18). On television, Monaghan starred as Maggie Hart in the first season of the anthology crime drama series True Detective (2014), for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received recognition for her starring role as Julia Meade in the action spy film series Mission: Impossible, and her appearances in Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), and Echoes (2022).
One of the year's best films and one of those rare movies where you'll consistently find something new to laugh at, when viewed each of a dozen times.Michelle Lynn Monaghan ( / ˈ m ɒ n ə h ən/ MON-ə-hən born March 23, 1976) is an American actress, best known for her starring roles in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Made of Honor (2008), Eagle Eye (2008), Trucker (2008), Source Code (2011), Pixels (2015), and Patriots Day (2016). The screenplay should also attract Oscar consideration. It thrilled me to see them both in their element, as I was on the verge of disavowing them as marquee/box-office draws. Downey should be honored with a Lead Actor Oscar nomination while Kilmer deserves a Supporting Actor nod. I strongly recommend the movie, given the talent of Downey and Kilmer. a tough guy predictably crashes through a glass table, or body after body turns up, to haunt the characters. Parallel story lines unfold and given plot assumptions are turned over, always with achingly funny results. All the ingredients of a pulp-noir novella can be found, even employing a structure of chapter-type headings within the movie. His one-liners and connected sub-plots are not typical and Kilmer and Downey make magic with their banter and clinical delivery. I also think that in creating such a brilliant script that Black may have blacklisted himself in Hollywood for mirroring its supposed fame and glamor and exposing its not too pretty side. The style is so disarmingly effective, that at times I shook my head in confusion or found my hands against my mouth, agape in shock. As a first time director, he does well keeping the frenetic pace and allowing the audience to catch up only to get lost time and time again.
Black became famous in the 1980s for writing the hit buddy movies: Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and The Long Kiss Goodnight. The fact that her look screams Renee Zellweger, is not a bad thing either. She brought back fond memories of early Kathleen Turner and Rene Russo. Monaghan is also integral to the trio and shines exuding a brash, fighting and sexy appeal. I have never seen Kilmer in such a well-defined, uproarious piece of work. Downey's performance is remarkable (neurotic, comic, vulnerable and charming). All however, are larger than life, exhibit great chemistry and for a movie buff, it is heaven to witness the self referential exercises and hear the narrator shred every narrating convention applicable. Downey, Kilmer and Monaghan are all caricatures drawn from popular references of literature, movies and art. There are even snippets of dialogue where the characters attempt to fill in the gaps or actually remind themselves of what has happened thus far in the movie. How so? Well, even the lead the character (who also is purposefully pathetic as narrator) takes time out within the movie to remember where he is in telling the story. This synopsis constitutes gross misrepresentation on my part as things get remarkably complex. They hook up with a down-on-her luck actress who brings a case for the sleuths. It begins with a ridiculously funny set up resulting in Downey's character being paired up with Kilmer to observe the latter in his job as a private detective.
Got you yet? Alright, maybe an explanation of the seemingly simple plot is warranted. In essence, these are the reasons why you need to see this movie: the razor sharp wit, shockingly fast-paced and hysterical dialogue, pulp-fiction-esquire vibe, its pure cheesiness and the cynicism of a beat up old paperback detective novel.
A terrific opening credit sequence easily sets up the audacity and chagrin of the film for an appreciative audience.
Directed and co-written by Shane Black based on a novel, "Bodies Are Where You Find Them" written by Brett Halliday and starring Robert Downey Jnr, Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan.