I Don’t Love Horror Movies!

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In a fresh and unexpected take on horror, the filmmaker behind “The Monkey,” Osgood “Oz” Perkins, approaches the genre with an unconventional perspective. While his films, including “Longlegs,” “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” and “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,” may seem to be deeply rooted in horror, he actually explores the genre from a unique angle, often subverting established tropes.

Perkins insists he’s not into the horror genre, telling IndieWire:

If someone is interested in my life journey, it might be perceived as a terrifying one at first glance, correct? Born into a family that carries an air of horror, right? And yet, we tentatively continue down this path because some of us feel compelled to emulate our fathers and find ourselves intrigued by the same route. There’s also a sense of connection with the father through following his footsteps. However, I am not particularly fond of horror films.

Perkins clarified, “I don’t spend my time daydreaming about horror films constantly.” He then mentioned one of the most popular horror series from the last ten years. “To be honest, films like Terrifier, which have been so successful and well-made, are completely off-putting to me in every sense,” he said. “True crime is repulsive to me as well. I would never delve into true crime because it doesn’t captivate me in any way; real suffering holds no appeal.

At present, “The Monkey” has garnered 76% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, sparking much discussion due to its unique blend of comedy and horror. This film serves as another impressive piece in Perkins’ repertoire. While the director’s past achievements hint at potential exploration into different genres or TV productions, it appears he prefers to continue working within his current sphere. In an interview with Variety about the success of “The Monkey,” Perkins expressed:

The change has affected both aspects and nothing at the same time. It’s boosted my self-assurance, however, it doesn’t mean I will suddenly embark on creating a video game film or an X-Men movie. I believe no one desires that. Instead, you might anticipate more of the familiar from me, only enhanced and improved.

In my upbringing, which was rooted in traditional Hollywood, there was a significant distinction between television and film personalities during the ’70s and ’80s. Today, however, it seems like everything has blended together into one harmonious mix, much like the diverse flavors of jambalaya.

Perkins’ Relationship With Death Was Essential When Writing and Making ‘The Monkey’

The Monkey follows Hal Shelburn, a boy who believes a wind-up monkey toy once belonging to his father is cursed. Tragically, their babysitter meets an untimely and gruesome end. Soon, individuals close to Hal and his twin brother Bill begin to die under similar circumstances. Eventually, they decide to dispose of the monkey toy, which seems to halt the deaths. However, 25 years later, strange deaths occur once more, leaving Hal to ponder whether the wind-up monkey might be responsible again.

This film offers a unique blend of humor and horror, featuring elaborate deaths reminiscent of the “Final Destination” series, creating a macabre comedy of sorts. The excessive gore and humor serve a purpose: to challenge viewers’ typical responses to death.

The director openly acknowledges that his personal experiences with loss, particularly the untimely and tragic deaths of his father Anthony Perkins and mother Berry Berenson, played a significant role in shaping the script’s content. He refers to these deaths as “unconventional” or “extraordinary,” suggesting they may have served as inspiration for creating this unique blend of horror and comedy. As quoted in Variety, Perkins himself describes it this way:

I’m drawing from personal experiences since I’ve faced some extraordinary near-death situations in my life. If I had written this script at age 29, it would have been quite melancholic. However, now that I’m 51, I find it rather amusing.

Time has the power to transform everything, just as water wears away rocks in a riverbed. Instead of offering a gloomy film about death, I’d prefer to share something uplifting, a chance to find solace, perhaps even a reason to laugh and feel refreshed.

So go reflect on death and have a laugh with The Monkey, now in theaters from NEON.

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2025-02-23 07:32