The Monkey Review
There’s no doubt that Stephen King’s horror stories make for some of the most excellent horror movies. King’s iconic works, like It, The Shining and Carrie, have become some of the most influential pieces of media, especially in today’s time. Of course, every book-to-film adaptation has had its positives and negatives, but each one has had its lasting impact. However, the latest of them, The Monkey, hopes to invigorate that sense of fear and tension that every King horror movie has. With Longlegs’ Osgood Perkins in the director’s chair once more, The Monkey is an unabashedly crazy and fun take on another King classic.
The Monkey follows twin brothers Hal and Bill (Theo James/Christian Convery), who come across an old vintage toy monkey. Unknowing to them, the toy, previously owned by their father, is connected to a string of random and vicious deaths that happen around them. Though they try to leave it in the past, it mysteriously pops back into Hal and Bill’s lives. When a new string of deaths arises, both brothers try to put their differences aside in order to end this curse, once and for all.
From its opening moments, you can already tell that The Monkey will be unlike any other Stephen King adaptation. While it still maintains that eerie tension, there’s this sense of absurd humor that makes this film entertaining. Through an introductory flashback that gives context as to what the Monkey is capable of, in the most darkly comedic way possible, it definitely grabs your attention from the get-go. The film is continually hysterical, if pessimistic, throughout thanks to its narration and on-going bits that work well thanks to the editing.
The black comedy of The Monkey really plays into all the gore and kills of this film. Perkins, who knows the horror game by now, brings out that shock factor with both unsuspecting jumpscares and gradual build-ups. These build-up kills are very much in the vein of a Final Destination movie, giving you hints of the elements that are in play. When they’re actually executed, they’re very elaborate, so much so as to insert some breaks in between. As for the jumpscares, some of them are more psychological, but they’ll definitely raise your adrenaline. Plus, with all the practical effects for these kills, Perkins is an absolute gore maestro.
In addition, in classic Perkins fashion, there are some extremely trippy sequences that might make some disoriented. While these don’t last for too long (as they’re mostly reserved in the second act), they help add to the film’s uncanny and visceral tone. Some of the visual effects might be somewhat crude, but these moments happily complement that overarching sense of dread.
However, it wouldn’t be as amusing as it is without its stellar lead performances from Theo James and Christian Convery. While James and Convery play the twins in the present and past respectively, they make each brother stand out from each other amazingly. As Hal, both James and Convery give him this introverted, yet caring, characteristic in a way that really makes you want to sympathize with him. However, as Bill, they both heavily emphasize this intimidating, somewhat sadistic, personality that makes Bill a good foil for Hal. Both brothers are complete polar opposites, yet there’s this emotional tether that wouldn’t be as interesting to explore without James and Convery.
Additionally, the whole cast of The Monkey does a great job as this story unravels through Hal’s perspective. Particularly, the father-son chemistry between James and Colin O’Brien, who plays Hal’s son Petey, is very moving. The scenes that Hal and Petey share together make you want to see their (almost) estranged relationship actually get better. Sure, their dynamic is built on the classic familial reconciliation tropes, but James and O’Brien both maintain this realism that makes you feel for Hal and Petey. In a similar way, the relationship between Hal, Bill, and their mom Lois (Tatiana Maslany) happily adds that lightheartedness, even if it’s messed up in a King-kind of way.
The Monkey is a wickedly entertaining and petrifying adaptation that truly exemplifies the abnormal and eccentric traits of this chilling Stephen King story. First with Longlegs and now with The Monkey, Osgood Perkins has proven himself as a master of horror as he brings this story’s best aspects out. Though some of the film’s story beats, particularly in its third act, need slight improvements, this film still successfully carries itself as a thrilling horror-comedy to remember for a while.
Rating: ★★★½
The Monkey opens in theaters on Friday, February 21.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.
The Monkey Review
The Monkey Review
The Monkey Review