Stephen King’s ‘The Monkey’ Is the Goriest, Funniest Horror Movie of the Year

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2025 is kicking off robustly, with several high-profile launches at the start of the year, and February appears particularly captivating for both comic book and horror movie enthusiasts. The Josh Ruben-directed horror flick “Heart Eyes” will debut over the weekend preceding Valentine’s Day, coinciding with the premiere of “Captain America: Brave New World.” Nevertheless, another eagerly awaited production is scheduled towards the end of February, as “The Monkey” enters theaters on the 21st. The film has recently been screened for critics, and the general consensus seems to revolve around two points: it’s extremely gruesome yet hysterically funny.

Under the direction of Osgood Perkins, who gained attention for his chilling horror film “Longlegs” last year, the upcoming movie titled “The Monkey” is based on a Stephen King short story and produced by James Wan. The plot revolves around two twin brothers discovering a toy monkey, which subsequently triggers a string of incomprehensible deaths that appear to be connected to the monkey’s existence. After its screening, social media has been abuzz with critics’ reviews, with Joey Magidson from X describing it as “brutally funny and brutally gruesome,” while Russ Millheim from The Direct labeled it an “absolutely wild, fierce dark comedy brimming with exceptionally creative deaths.

Osgood Perkins appears to have adapted Stephen King’s original tale, giving it his signature dark and distinctive twist on the intricate deaths reminiscent of the Final Destination movie franchise. However, this time, there’s a touch of humor added to the mix. This film appears quite different from Perkins’ previous project, Longlegs, demonstrating his ability to explore and experiment within the horror genre, which he seems deeply passionate about.

‘The Monkey’ Is a Prime Example of Horror’s Close Relation to Comedy

Statements such as Jeff Ewing’s praise for “The Monkey” as a hilarious horror comedy highlight the strong connection between horror and humor. As Jordan Peele, a renowned horror director, mentioned in an interview, “The distinction between comedy and horror lies in the music,” emphasizing why Perkins’ movie excels as a mix of these two genres. Furthermore, “The Monkey” is emerging as another compelling demonstration of how the horror genre persistently adapts and innovates to produce captivating new films.

Previously, Perkins’ work in the horror genre, such as “Gretel & Hansel,” “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,” and “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” was highly appreciated for their suspenseful environment and scares, but seldom recognized for any comical elements. This makes his upcoming film even more intriguing because it incorporates a dark sense of humor, a unique approach that could set it apart from his previous works. It remains to be seen if general audiences will find the movie as captivating as critics have.

In summary, the highly favorable initial responses to “The Monkey” suggest that the director of “Longlegs” is set for another successful film. The newly released red-band trailer will undoubtedly sustain viewer anticipation until the movie’s release in the coming weeks. Moreover, this upcoming production can now be added to the growing list of noteworthy Stephen King adaptations, demonstrating that the author’s work continues to resonate and entertain audiences even after more than four decades since its initial publication.

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2025-01-19 01:02