As a devoted horror enthusiast, I find myself eagerly anticipating the wave of chilling films set to grace our screens in 2025, with Oz Perkins’ adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Monkey” standing out among them. The prospect of this unique take on such a terrifying tale has piqued my curiosity even further, thanks to the director’s recent insights into the project.
As a devoted fan of horror genres, I’m thrilled about numerous horror films slated for release in 2025, including the live-action version of “Until Dawn,” Ryan Coogler’s vampire movie, and many more. Among those I eagerly await is director Oz Perkins’ upcoming Stephen King project, an extended adaptation titled “The Monkey.” Hearing his recent thoughts on the film has only fueled my excitement further.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Perkins and Theo James, star of The Monkey, discussed the unusual creative path they took when transforming the film from its origins as a short story in the Skeleton Crew anthology. Contrary to expectations, this movie revolving around a small monkey-and-drum toy that leads to inevitable disasters and destruction for twin brothers who discover it among their late father’s mementos, seems to have a touch of humor too.
Initially, efforts to adapt The Monkey for the big screen were underway through James Wan’s Atomic Monster. However, Oz Perkins’ unconventional concept eventually won over those involved in the project, once they had grown accustomed to it. As stated by the director:
Suppose we’re dealing with a comedy here, but this monkey is quite unproductive – it doesn’t engage in any activities. This monkey isn’t like M3GAN, as it doesn’t pose a threat or attack. Instead, its mere existence seems malevolent. Events occur around it without any apparent logic or purpose. The presence of this monkey often leads to people meeting their ends in bizarre and absurd ways.
Absolutely, I wholeheartedly agree with your idea, and it piqued my interest even more after watching the Halloween red band teaser trailer. The blend of dark comedy in it left me wondering if it was intentional or not, but upon reflection, it seems that’s indeed the case. Perkins’ explanation of his unique genre-bending approach resonated with me, as he delved into his personal history.
As a follower, I’ve witnessed some extraordinary and heart-wrenching deaths. Regardless if there’s a monkey around or not, death is an inevitable part of life. Yet, imagine embracing this fact with a grin – accepting the inevitability of our mortality. That thought seems absurdly surreal, doesn’t it? We’re all going to die; that’s just how things are. And in a strange way, it felt fitting to approach this topic humorously.
It’s common knowledge that the filmmaker’s dad, Anthony Perkins, a renowned actor known for his role in Psycho, died from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992. He had hidden his health issues for years. His mother, Berry Berenson, was an actress and photographer who tragically perished on American Airlines Flight 11 when it was hijacked and struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
In essence, neither of those situations contain anything innately humorous. However, Perkins is able to recognize the distinct qualities and his personal ties to them, which he can utilize as a foundation to transform “The Monkey” from an unsettling short into a complex film. This movie will seamlessly blend dark humor with a sincere examination of family relationships spanning various time periods. While it might be possible to draw comparisons between 2017’s “IT: Chapter One” and 2019’s “IT: Chapter Two”, this project seems to operate on a different level altogether.
During the interview, Perkins discusses an extravagant hibachi grill scene inspired by memories from his own life. This scene seems to draw elements from both the films “Death Becomes Her” and “An American Werewolf in London,” as he described it.
The movie has an amusing, absurd quality throughout, with the kids frequently engaging in banter. Frequent use of strong language, such as my 15-year-old daughter’s frequent use of the word “fuck,” adds to the comedy and humor of the film. Essentially, it’s intended to make you smile or even laugh.
I’m wishing that the genuine grins on the spectators’ faces are much happier, rather than as frightening as the gaudy grin on this accursed plaything. Have a look at the mentioned preview video below!
In essence, the darkly comedic tone of “The Monkey” seems to echo the enhanced horror humor found in “Creepshow,” yet it doesn’t fully adapt Stephen King’s work as only two stories from his screenplay are based on his writings. Moreover, this film leans more towards the humorous style of EC Comics rather than contemporary sensibilities, which makes “The Monkey” stand out uniquely in the realm of live-action Stephen King productions.
The film titled “The Monkey” is scheduled to create chaos in movie theaters, as well as wherever it appears, on February 21, 2025.
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2024-12-20 02:07