The Monkey

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  • How Does ‘The Monkey’ Connect to the Stephen King Universe?

The latest cinematic interpretation hailing from the pen of Stephen King is titled The Monkey. This film, scripted and helmed by contemporary master of horror, Osgood Perkins, deviates significantly from typical Stephen King adaptations. With a blend of dark wit and intense brutality, this movie serves as a chilling exploration of our species’ bond with mortality, set within the framework of a haunted toy that unleashes chaos in accordance with its drumming tempo.

In a somewhat surprising twist, Perkins intentionally stretches the boundaries with his adaptation of Stephen King’s short story from the 1985 anthology “Skeleton Crew”. While it might seem unconventional, fans need not worry as this reinterpretation aims to give the tale a more cinematic feel. The spirit of King is still very much present in “The Monkey”, even amidst its comedic attempts, as it chronicles the story of a toy monkey capable of eliminating an entire town if activated.

In his revisions, Perkins subtly paid tribute to Stephen King, a nod that avid fans would immediately catch. Among these references, one stands out as an unexpected inclusion – the appearance of Annie Wilkes from the famous Stephen King novel and movie, “Misery.” It’s odd not because it’s misplaced, but because it doesn’t contribute significantly to the storyline.

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The following article contains major spoilers for The Monkey.

What Is ‘The Monkey’ About?

The Monkey recounts the tale of Hal Shelburn, a young lad often overshadowed by his twin brother Bill (both portrayed by Christian Convery). Raised with their mother, they lack a paternal presence, yet discover an unsettling toy belonging to their absent father – a wind-up monkey that produces a chilling snare. Upon removing it from its box and winding the monkey’s back, a series of gruesome deaths begin to occur.

In the end, the boys choose to bury the monkey following the deaths of their mother and uncle, believing it to be cursed. However, 25 years later, Hal (portrayed by Theo James) gets a call that stirs memories of his childhood. When Hal’s only aunt passes away, he immediately suspects the monkey as the culprit. With an important weekend approaching where he’ll be with his son Petey, Hal is compelled to revisit his past. He needs to find out if their earlier attempts to contain the curse didn’t work and the monkey has once again escaped.

How Does ‘The Monkey’ Connect to the Stephen King Universe?

Attentive viewers will spot a cameo linking “The Monkey” to the Stephen King world. Early on, one of the children’s babysitters, a kind young woman who takes them out for dinner, becomes a victim of the monkey’s curse in a chilling scene where she is accidentally beheaded by a large chef’s knife. Later in a humorous funeral scene, we learn that her name was actually Annie Wilkes (originally named Beulah in the story).

In “Misery”, Annie Wilkes is actually the nickname for the caregiver who looks after Paul Sheldon. Contrastingly, in “The Monkey”, Annie Wilkes is a childminder who bears no likeness to Kathy Bates’ portrayal of the character from the 1990 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. In this story, she comes off as a kind and ordinary babysitter, displaying none of the menacing traits associated with the infamous nurse from “Misery”.

In simpler terms, Perkins’ nod (acknowledgement) may imply a connection in the story, but it doesn’t add much to the overall plot within the Kingverse. Similarly, Mrs. Torrance, who educates the twins in The Shining, might not have any direct link between ‘The Monkey’ and ‘The Shining’. However, these connections are subtle nods to Stephen King’s work by the filmmaker, who appreciates King’s legacy, without turning the film into a game of Easter eggs.

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2025-02-25 02:31