The Monkey Explores the Terrifying Truth We All Avoid: Death Is Inevitable

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The much-anticipated film “Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey” is now available! For any Stephen King enthusiast, the arrival of a new book or adaptation is cause for celebration since it signifies the enduring legacy of this beloved author continues to expand. In this instance, however, the movie is not just another addition to King’s canon; it’s also an exceptional film – as I noted in my four-star review on TopMob. The blend of horror and humor makes for a captivating watch, but what truly sets it apart is its unique take on death. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview the cast of the movie about their perspective on this theme.

This week’s issue of The King Beat delves into profound contemplations inspired by the thought-provoking slogan of “The Monkey” – “Everyone Dies, and That’s Troubling”. Alongside this reflection, we share updates about the author reinterpreting a timeless fairy tale. Fans of “The Shawshank Redemption” will be intrigued to know that Clancy Brown has shared some heartfelt thoughts on the iconic movie, which marked its 30th anniversary in 2024. There’s plenty more to explore, so let’s dive right in!

Osgood Perkins And The Monkey Cast Reflect On The New Film’s Philosophy About Death

Death is something that will eventually claim us all, and there’s nothing we can do to change that fact. We never know exactly when our time will come or how we’ll meet our end, but the inevitability of death is a truth that hangs over us. It’s a harsh reality that many try to avoid thinking about… yet it’s precisely this aspect that makes Osgood Perkins’ movie The Monkey particularly intriguing. The film is outrageous and absurd, filled with all sorts of madness and gore, but its true purpose lies in forcing viewers to confront their own mortality.

During my recent virtual press day for “The Monkey,” I couldn’t help but express my affection for a particular element of the new Stephen King adaptation shown in the video above. During our conversation, I spoke with Perkins and actors Theo James, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Sarah Levy, and Rohan Campbell about not just the humorous and straightforward approach to the film’s subject matter, but also how the story made them ponder the true nature of death.

In his commentary, Perkins pointed out that the new King movie essentially presents a straight-forward horror narrative, similar to any other horror film. By providing a fictional setting, it offers an opportunity for us to acknowledge our mortality, which is often something we try to avoid thinking about in our daily lives. Perkins suggests that it might be beneficial for us to ponder this concept more frequently.

Essentially, every horror film revolves around the fact that death is imminent, doesn’t it? It could be through a chainsaw, a ghost, or possession. So it’s almost as if you’re given a selection of options: ‘Take your pick; choose a card, any card.’ I wanted to emphasize this point and create a horror movie that mocks the idea that everyone meets their end, as that’s the rule, seemed like an effective approach. It’s a thought that occasionally crosses our minds – maybe we should ponder it more – and presenting a horror movie that underscores this concept felt fitting.

Based on the director’s feedback, Theo James mentioned that what attracted him to this project was specifically the film itself. In “The Monkey,” James portrays a set of twin brothers who were once estranged but are forced back together due to a supernatural toy from their past that reappears after 25 years. Notably, James points out that as humans, we strive to evade and delay death in every way possible, yet ultimately there is no means of escape. Quoting Theo James, “We try to avoid and postpone death in every human way, but there’s no escaping it.

In my opinion, the script’s exploration of mortality was the most captivating underlying theme amidst the madness of the deaths portrayed. Throughout human history, despite our remarkable advancements, we have struggled to accept death as a natural part of life. We persistently strive to evade death and aging, often denying its inevitability. Yet, it is this shared experience that binds us all together.

In a somewhat eerie manner, let’s consider this: though death is an inevitable reality for all of us, some facing it in truly distressing situations, each moment of our life becomes even more valuable and cherished because of this fact. Despite the grimness of death, life remains extraordinary.

Just a friendly reminder: The movie titled “The Monkey” will hit theaters nationwide this upcoming Friday, May 21st. Keep checking in here on TopMob, as I’ve got lots more exclusive insights from my chats with the writer, director, and cast of the new production!

Stephen King Has Written A New Reimagining Of Hansel And Gretel, And You Can Pre-Order It Now

Discussing the eerie darkness found in some traditional fairy tales, “Hansel and Gretel” stands out as a fitting illustration. The tale begins with parents who struggle to provide for their children, leading them to abandon the siblings in a forest – a dark turn of events even before encountering the cannibalistic witch. This story could spark a child’s fascination with horror literature, making it particularly thrilling that Stephen King is set to release his unique interpretation of the timeless legend later this year.

This week, Harper Collins Publishers unveiled that a fresh take on “Hansel And Gretel” is set to hit stores towards the end of this year, boasting a collaboration between literary greats. The timeless tale will be reimagined by Stephen King, and the book will also showcase artwork from the late, acclaimed Maurice Sendak (recognized primarily for his work on “Where The Wild Things Are” ). As reported by the Associated Press, Sendak created a series of costume and set designs in the late 90s for a production of the Engelbert Humperdinck opera adaptation of the fairy tale. King has drawn inspiration from these illustrations for the upcoming book.

According to the official announcement, the author expressed his strong impression upon seeing a set of Sendak’s sketches, which led him to feel motivated and ultimately decide to work on the project. The renowned figure then remarked,

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The author was deeply captivated by a pair of Sendak’s illustrations, leading him to feel compelled and eventually accept the project challenge, as he stated in an official announcement. Legendarily,

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In an official statement, the author revealed that a pair of Sendak’s drawings left him astonished, prompting him to take on the task. As the legend put it,

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The author was astounded by two of Sendak’s sketches, causing him to feel compelled and undertake the project. In his official statement, he declared,

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In an official announcement, the author expressed his awe upon viewing a pair of Sendak’s drawings, which led him to take up the project. To quote the legend,

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The author found himself spellbound by a pair of Sendak’s drawings, which led him to take up the project. As he declared in an official statement,

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In his official announcement, the author revealed that two of Sendak’s sketches left him awestruck, prompting him to commit to working on the project. To put it simply:

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The author was deeply impressed by a pair of Sendak’s illustrations, causing him to feel compelled and take on the project. In an official statement, he shared his feelings as follows:

As a cinephile, two of his films struck a chord within me: One depicted the wicked witch flying on her broomstick with a horde of abducted children clinging behind her; the other showcased the notorious candy house transforming into an ominous visage. It dawned on me, ‘This is its true form, a corrupted soul teeming with sin, and it only reveals that face when the young ones turn their backs.’ I felt compelled to express this sentiment… To me, it encapsulated the heart of this tale, as well as the essence of all fairy stories: a cheerful facade concealing a grim underbelly, children who are brave and clever. In essence, I have been chronicling children like Hansel and Gretel for much of my existence.

In the works of Stephen King, such as “The Shining”, “IT”, and “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”, young characters often face dangerous situations and have to summon courage and resilience to make it through. Given this pattern, it’s clear that he is a fitting author for such materials.

In the year 2025, “Hansel And Gretel” is set to be the second book from the King canon, following the release of “Never Flinch,” a captivating mystery starring detective Holly Gibney. The enchanting tale will hit shelves on September 2, and you can secure your copy by pre-ordering it at retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or Amazon.

Clancy Brown Reflects On His Time Making The Shawshank Redemption

Did you realize that the actor portraying the cruel Captain Byron Hadley in Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption temporarily left the film set to tie the knot? Have you ever pondered if the heartwarming ending scenes of this contemporary masterpiece might be a dream sequence instead? If your answer is ‘no’ to either of these questions, I strongly recommend watching the recent interview with Clancy Brown that was just published online.

Often hailed as one of cinema’s finest productions, “The Shawshank Redemption” marked its significant 30th anniversary last year. In a recent conversation with The Rich Eisen Show, actor Tim Robbins shared insights about his involvement in the film’s creation.

Apart from delving into the poignant conclusion and his pause during the performance to wed his wife, Jeanne Johnson, Brown also reflects on his return to the Ohio prison where the movie was filmed and narrates a humorous anecdote about Morgan Freeman’s agent – who seemed somewhat puzzled when they discovered that the project was based on Stephen King’s novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.

You can check out the discussion of the film in the embed below:

Regarding Clancy Brown’s thoughts on the movie’s concluding moments, I concur with his perspective. In contrast to the novel, which leaves the fate of Andy and Red ambiguous at the end (the film’s finale was actually altered during reshoots), I strongly dislike the notion that their reunion is just a dream sequence.

That thought seems excessively pessimistic to me, and nothing about the film supports such a theory. While I’m open to dark and melancholic interpretations, I believe this particular theory lacks substance.

This wraps up this week’s The King Beat, but don’t worry, my column will still be available every Thursday on TopMob. With at least four upcoming Stephen King adaptations slated for 2025, plus two new King books coming out, there’s a lot to look forward to and talk about in the future.

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2025-02-20 20:38