The Monkey
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Directed by: Osgood Perkins
Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Platform: Theater
Rating: 3.5/5
By Crystal Justine
“A bloodbath of insanity that has you laughing and cringing in equal measure.”
THE MONKEYis a blood-drenched, absurd rollercoaster directed by Osgood Perkins, best known for his 2024 atmospheric horror Longlegs. If you’re expecting a similar eerie thriller, prepare for a rude awakening. For this outing Perkins has adapted the 1980 short story The Monkey from horror maestro Stephen King. This film is far more in-your-face, filled with gore, dark humor, and absolutely outrageous kills that leave you questioning your own sense of humor (in a good way, if you have the stomach for it).
The plot is as you’d expect from a Stephen King short story adaptation: twin brothers discover their late father’s old toy monkey, and once they wind it up, a surreal chain of fatal accidents begins to unfold. The kills are creative and over-the-top, akin to Final Destination with a comedic twist. Early on, THE MONKEY hooks you with a blend of gruesome deaths and outlandish situations, and the laughs are as unpredictable as the next victim’s demise. The first half is pure entertainment with chaos that plays perfectly to fans with a dark sense of humor.
However, once the film heads into its third act, the momentum begins to stall. The rigid pacing reveals that the characters are paper-thin, making it hard to care about their fates. Theo James delivers a decent performance that is serviceable to the material given, but not one that will leave a lasting impression. The dialogue is an issue halfway through the film. What begins as clever banter soon veers into cringeworthy territory, and while that’s fitting for the film’s tone, it is a bit much by the end.
The pacing suffers as the film enters its final stretch, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily. A bloodbath of insanity that has you laughing and cringing in equal measure suddenly becomes more monotonous and less effective. While the cinematography isn’t anything groundbreaking, there are a few creative shots that stand out amid the madness, showcasing Perkins’ artistic eye.
THE MONKEY may not break new ground in the haunted object horror genre (remember Child’s Play or Puppet Master?), but its spin on an evil toy is distinct in its absurdity. The little toy monkey may not carve up victims like Chucky, but it does drum up a rhythm of horror that you won’t forget anytime soon.
In the end, THE MONKEY is far from a traditional scary horror film. It’s an enjoyable one-time watch, as the novelty of the deaths and dark humor can wear thin after you’ve seen it once. This isn’t a cinematic achievement like Perkins’ most recent work, but it’s a worthy addition to his growing portfolio of horror films. He shows once again that he’s not afraid to experiment within the genre, and though this film may not be for everyone, it’s a solid pick for those who appreciate a wild ride with laughs, gore, and mayhem. Fans of James Wan’s horror roots will find something to enjoy here, even if it’s not as deeply unsettling as The Conjuring universe. Ultimately, it’s an offbeat, brutal treat — just not one that will stay with you for long.
