This Horror-Comedy Is Great, But Theo James Might Be Too Handsome for the Role

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🚨 CAUTION: The information below reveals significant plot points about “The Monkey”, a recently released horror film. If you haven’t watched it yet but are considering doing so, beware as this text may spoil your viewing experience. Proceed at your own risk.

After watching “The Monkey”, it’s now clear to me why I felt let down by writer and director Osgood Perkins’ more serious thrillers, such as “Longlegs” and “I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House”. These films didn’t live up to my expectations. However, his new Stephen King movie, based on a short story about a toy with lethal capabilities, demonstrates that he might have been intended to create horror-comedy films. He seems to master the eerily comical tone perfectly.

Although I must acknowledge the captivating gory death sequences and the unique dark humor in The Monkey (2025), it doesn’t quite make it to my top favorite movie of the year nor does it surpass other horror films I’ve seen this year. My reservations about the film are somewhat peculiar, and they center around its leading actor, Theo James. While I’m sure many fans of the ex-Divergent cast member would enjoy The Monkey, I feel compelled to share my reasons for not finding it as appealing as others might.

Theo James Is Too Handsome To Play Hal

In agreement with Eric Eisenberg’s review at TopMob, I found Theo James to deliver an outstanding performance as Hal Shelburn in “The Monkey.” James masterfully embodied the character’s awkwardly bashful and tormented persona with a touch of humor that was truly captivating. However, it seems that I may not be alone in questioning whether the handsome English actor is slightly overqualified for this role in terms of physical appearance.

Hal, who functions as the story’s narrator, portrays himself as a solitary, pitiful character often associated with awkwardness, which I understand stems from his tumultuous childhood, marked by a magical toy monkey capable of murder. However, in my view, James’ traditional leading man appearance doesn’t align well with this established persona, and simply adding glasses to him isn’t entirely convincing as a solution to this disconnect.

However, He Is A Good Fit For Bill

In “The Monkey” movie, Theo James takes on the role of Hal’s twin brother Bill, who harbors resentment towards his brother for their mother’s (portrayed by Tatiana Maslany) death. Seeking retribution, Bill hunts for a missing monkey toy. I find that Theo delivers a more compelling portrayal as the malevolent sibling, and I think part of that is due to his striking physical appearance.

In an unusual twist, since all characters share similar appearances, James’ handsome features align surprisingly well with the menacing demeanor of the disturbed and unpredictable character, making it easier to distinguish between them in the story. Instead of resorting to physical differences like glasses, the contrast in their personalities serves as a more engaging means of differentiation.

Overall, Christian Convery Is The Real MVP

In my opinion, while Theo James delivers strong performances as Hal and Bill, Christian Convery, especially with his growing fame in horror films like “The Monkey” and upcoming “Cocaine Bear,” gives a more compelling portrayal of the teenage twins. As the initial actor we see portraying the siblings in a 1999-set flashback that dominates most of the first act, I found myself wishing that the entire movie was set during their childhood.

In a more relaxed and understandable phrasing: The lead actor in Netflix’s TV series Sweet Tooth, based on DC Comics, might not have required glasses to portray the timid Hal character, given how skillfully he blends the role with the cunning and mischievous Bill. Furthermore, I find that Convery’s natural appearance suits both twins’ distinct personalities perfectly, and his dual performances are equally impressive.

Initially, I had some doubts about Theo James as Hal, but his unexpectedly humorous portrayal of both him and Bill in “The Monkey” has definitely made me appreciate his acting talent more than I initially expected. With his versatility revealed, I’m considering watching “The Gentlemen” on Netflix or catching up with his Emmy-nominated role in “The White Lotus” Season 2. I also plan to rewatch “The Monkey” when it becomes available for home viewing.

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2025-03-01 17:08