Six Shocking Movies to Prepare You for The Monkey: Stephen King’s Gory New Adaptation

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If you’re eagerly anticipating Osgood Perkins’ “The Monkey,” you might be surprised to find that early responses suggest otherwise, leaning towards a darker, gorier, and more eccentrically humorous tone. As I was among the voices praising these qualities in the upcoming Stephen King adaptation, I can’t share my personal thoughts just yet (look out for my review on TopMob soon!). However, to help you prepare, here are some titles that might whet your appetite:

1. “It” by Stephen King – A classic horror story that showcases King’s signature blend of terror and humor.
2. “The Mist” by Stephen King – Another chilling tale from King, with a unique sense of humor amidst the horrors it presents.
3. “An American Werewolf in London” – This film masterfully combines horror and comedy, much like Osgood Perkins’ latest work is rumored to do.
4. “Evil Dead II” – A hilarious and gory sequel that will give you a taste of the extreme gore expected in “The Monkey.”
5. “Tucker & Dale vs Evil” – A comedy horror film that satirizes the slasher genre, which might give you an idea of what to expect from Osgood Perkins’ unique take on horror comedy.

This week’s edition of The King Beat features some fresh ideas, but that’s not all – there’s also a newly released Stephen King short story hitting the shelves, which you definitely shouldn’t miss out on. Let’s dive right into it and explore more!

Getting Ready To Check Out The Monkey On The Big Screen Next Month? Put These Titles On Your Watchlist

The initial Stephen King adaptation among up to six movies set to debut in 2025 is less than a few weeks away, and I’m excited to see the buzz building around it. “The Monkey” is a riotously funny and gory movie experience that was crafted with incredible attention to detail, and it’s a delightful early-year treat for film lovers. This new movie will hit theaters on February 21st, so now is the ideal time to gear up for the ride! To help you prepare, I’ve compiled a list of six films that you should watch or rewatch beforehand.

Final Destination (2000)

In “The Monkey,” the eerie title doll causes gruesome deaths whenever a key on its back is activated, but it doesn’t defy the laws of reality. Instead, its method of causing chaos resembles Rube Goldberg machines, as a series of natural events and circumstances unfold in a specific sequence that lead to gory outcomes. This film shares some similarities with titles from the “Final Destination” series, though I should mention that “The Monkey” is significantly more intense than most Stephen King movies.

Child’s Play (1988)

Tom Holland’s “Child’s Play” isn’t the initial horror film featuring a lethal toy, though it deserves mention for becoming the most well-known title within this subcategory (I should add that Stuart Gordon’s less recognized “Dolls,” released a year earlier, was another contender). Chucky and The Monkey may have distinct killing methods, but there’s no denying they share a similar penchant for violence.

The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family might appear unexpected on this list due to its family-friendly nature compared to The Monkey, but it fits flawlessly considering its dark tone and macabre themes. One reason the Barry Sonnenfeld film (and its original material) stands out is its portrayal of death as a normal aspect of life, an attitude that resonates strongly in Osgood Perkins’ latest work.

Spontaneous (2020)

I can’t wait to sing the praises and endorse Brian Duffield’s “Spontaneous” – a hidden gem from 2020 that I highly recommend! Just like “The Monkey,” this film tackles the raw and startling aspects of death, but with an over-the-top gore that brings on plenty of unexpected laughs.

Longlegs (2024)

frankly speaking, “Longlegs” and “The Monkey” are two distinct cinematic journeys, each offering unique experiences. While “Longlegs” is crafted to leave an unsettling impression on your mind, potentially haunting your dreams, I’ve chosen to include it here as a testament to Osgood Perkins’ skill as a director. Although his previous works have been characterized by their dark and disquieting nature, “The Monkey” represents a fresh, tonal shift for him, showcasing his creative versatility. Viewing his 2024 production prior to his 2025 release will only serve to deepen your admiration for his artistic range.

Creepshow (1982)

As a devoted cinephile, I felt it was my duty to include a Stephen King film on this list, and while many have come close, none quite match the unique blend of humor and horror that “The Monkey” offers. I’ve often described it as both the funniest King movie and the goriest. The closest I’ve seen to it is George A. Romero’s “Creepshow,” a film that takes daring swings in the horror genre, veering just enough into comedy territory to be less scary but still delightfully terrifying. Osgood Perkins’ movie may not share the same horror comics aesthetic as Romero’s brilliant 1982 anthology feature, but there are definite tonal similarities between the two titles.

Keep an eye out here on TopMob over the upcoming weeks as we delve deeper into the fascinating world of “The Monkey”. Look forward to my non-spoilery review, in-depth features, and much more!

Stephen King’s New Short Story “The Extra Hour” Is A Haunting And Spine-Chilling Tale

In 2024, Stephen King enthusiasts worldwide received an extraordinary anthology filled with exceptional short stories titled “You Like It Darker“. This collection, one of the author’s finest, offered chilling tales such as “The Dreamers”, intriguing mysteries like “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream”, and intense dramas such as “The Answer Man”. With a diverse range of stories catering to different tastes, it was a must-read for King devotees known as Constant Readers. If you found yourself eagerly craving more King after finishing the book, fear not! A solution is readily available in the form of the newly released “The Extra Hour”.

A year ago, almost to the day, the announcement came that Cemetery Dance magazine’s 79th issue would include a fresh Stephen King short story. Twelve months of anticipation later, the story has finally been released. Just this week, my eagerly awaited copy landed in my mailbox, and I’m thrilled to share that it was definitely worth the wait! “The Extra Hour” is a chilling tale that might just make you cherish a good night’s rest a bit more once you’ve read it.

From a movie buff’s perspective, let me share a tantalizing glimpse into a tale I recently came across. It revolves around a lawyer named Soames who encounters an enigmatic client named James Danton in a meeting that seems ordinary at first. However, things take an unusual turn when Soames suspects Danton is terminally ill, but soon discovers his affliction lies elsewhere – extreme insomnia. This man isn’t disheveled due to illness; rather, he’s only managing 45 minutes of sleep per night. But the twist comes when Danton shares that his mind has accessed a realm outside of time, which he calls ‘The Extra Hour’. During this hour, everything in the world appears to halt, and reality is tinged with an eerie, eldritch darkness. Initially skeptical about Danton’s claims, Soames begins to experience similar symptoms himself… a situation that leaves him perplexed and intrigued.

Despite lacking monsters or intense scenes of explosion-inducing fear, “The Extra Hour” is a story that manages to give you the shivers and leaves an unsettling feeling as you reach its chilling endings. Its themes resonate well with other tales in the “You Like It Darker” collection, offering another spine-tingling perspective on the psychological effects of darkness. The magazine issue features a short conversation with Stephen King and a discussion with the author about the links between the content and his views on dreaming. He remarks that there is a connection between the material and his thoughts on dreams.

My dreams aren’t always frightening nightmares, though they occasionally resemble the scary scenes from songs like Paul Anka’s. Instead, they usually tell a story. I tend to have these vivid dreams when I’m not engaged in work. It seems there’s some part of my mind that doesn’t want to be put on pause. In literature, dreams are often seen as prophetic. The story I crafted in ‘The Dreamers’ suggests that if another world exists, the boundary between our world and that one is at its thinnest during dreams.

As an avid film enthusiast, let me tell you that “The Dreamers,” nestled within Bertina Henrion’s collection You Like It Darker, is the most captivating and bizarre tale I’ve come across. This story alone makes the book a must-read for any cinephile, as it’s the one I’m most eager to see brought to life on the silver screen.

If you’re eager to explore Stephen King’s newest work of fiction, you can now pre-order Cemetery Dance #79 directly from the Cemetery Dance website. The paperback edition is already available for purchase at $9.95, while a limited hardcover version is forthcoming at $75. In the meantime, be patient as we anticipate more new stories from King; his upcoming novel featuring Holly Gibney, titled “Never Flinch,” is expected to hit stores in May.

Let’s wrap up this week’s episode of The King Beat, but don’t worry! There’s always more to come when it comes to Stephen King news and updates. I’ll catch up with you all again here on TopMob next Thursday for a fresh installment of my column, gathering the latest scoops and headlines. In the meantime, you can dive deeper into Stephen King’s film and TV adaptations by checking out my series Adapting Stephen King.

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2025-01-23 21:07