The Monkey (2025) – A Hilarious, Over-the-Top Horror Ride
Horror and comedy collide in The Monkey, the latest film from Longlegs director Osgood Perkins. Based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, The Monkey hits theaters on February 21, 2025, but I caught an early screening—and I have thoughts.
A Tale of Trauma, Fate, and a Murderous Monkey
The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, played by Theo James in a dual role. While trying to understand their estranged father, they discover a mysterious toy monkey hidden in a closet. The catch? Every time the monkey beats its drum, someone dies in a bizarre and gruesome way. The story jumps between past and present, exploring generational trauma and fate while delivering absurd, over-the-top horror-comedy.
Horror or Comedy?
Although marketed as a horror-comedy, The Monkey leans heavily into the comedy aspect. I found myself laughing through most of the film, as it plays with classic horror tropes in a self-aware, almost spoof-like way. Perkins has cited influences like Death Becomes Her and An American Werewolf in London, and you can definitely see that blend of grotesque horror and dark humor.
Standout Performances & Cast
Theo James delivers a fantastic performance, especially as the unhinged Bill. Tatiana Maslany plays the brothers’ mother and, though she has limited screen time, steals every scene she’s in. Elijah Wood also makes an appearance, but much of the film focuses on Hal’s relationship with his own son—a dynamic that mirrors the brothers’ past struggles with their father.
Cinematography & Style
If you liked the visual style of Longlegs, you’ll appreciate the muted, monochromatic aesthetic here. However, The Monkey is less shadowy and instead plays with brighter lighting to emphasize the absurdity of its death scenes. Speaking of which—some of these moments are so ridiculous and exaggerated that the entire theater erupted in laughter. One particular poolside death, which is teased in the trailer, is a prime example of the film’s outlandish tone.
Final Thoughts
The Monkey delivers a fun, fast-paced ride with brutal, laugh-out-loud death scenes. If you enjoy dark humor, gory slapstick, and the kind of chaos found in Deadpool or The Dead Don’t Die, you’ll probably love this. While the story is a bit loose and some father-son themes could’ve been fleshed out more, it’s an undeniably entertaining watch.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 (B+)
At the time of this review, The Monkey holds an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels about right. While it may not be the deepest Stephen King adaptation, it’s easily one of the most fun. Perkins is proving himself as a standout director in modern horror, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Are you planning to see The Monkey? Let me know your thoughts after watching!