The Monkey: Critics Rave About Osgood Perkins’ Hilariously Gory Horror Masterpiece!

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The horror movie titled The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins, is all set for a release towards the end of this month. If you’re curious about how this film compares to his 2024 work Longlegs, initial reviews for this film, which is an adaptation of Stephen King’s short story with the same name, have started to come out and they’ve been generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Monkey has a 91% fresh rating, although only 11 reviews have been submitted so far. However, reviews from other platforms that haven’t yet made it to Rotten Tomatoes have commended The Monkey for its unique balance of tone that sets it apart from most King adaptations.

The unique aspect highlighted in numerous reviews regarding “The Monkey” is its approach to violence and gore, which is more pronounced compared to Perkins’ film “Longlegs,” featuring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. Emma Kiely, in her 7/10 review for Collider, commends the successful blend of humor and horror in the movie, expressing that this contrast contributes positively to the overall film.

In ‘The Monkey,’ a remarkable leap from ‘Longlegs,’ Perkins’ witty, dark humor is densely packed, offering numerous moments that will make you laugh out loud. Even the kills themselves contribute to this humor. ‘The Monkey’ seems to pay homage to Quentin Tarantino through its over-the-top kill scenes and the amusing, albeit unsettling, combination of these with the humor.

What Are Critics Saying About ‘The Monkey’?

The Monkey isn’t merely about dark wit regarding death; it seems to impart a certain depth in its overly intricate depictions of demise. Brian Tallerico expresses this sentiment in his 3-star review for RogerEbert.com, noting that the film presents a unique blend of fear and thematic substance, distinct from Perkins’ prior works, as he puts it:

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The Monkey isn’t all about grim humor surrounding death; it also appears to convey depth in its overly complex portrayals of dying. Brian Tallerico makes this point in his 3-star review for RogerEbert.com, while highlighting the film’s distinct types of scares and weighty themes, different from Perkins’ earlier projects, as he explains:

In the spirit of “Longlegs,” none of what follows should be regarded with the gravity typically found there. However, it manages to generate an unusual type of tension, a sense that death is not only unavoidable, but lurking ominously just beyond your current reading point.

To kick off the year, Perkins and James Wan have brilliantly brought Stephen King’s short story to life on screen, blending horror and humor in a gripping film adaptation. Additionally, another Stephen King adaptation, titled “The Life of Chuck“, directed by Mike Flanagan, is scheduled for release on May 30, 2025. This highly anticipated movie, featuring Tom Hiddleston, is an adaptation of King’s novella with the same title, promising more excitement for King fans this year.

It appears that “The Monkey” promises an exhilarating experience at the cinema, with Perkins and his gifted ensemble of actors – Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and Colin O’Brien – delivering a strikingly violent film. This film also presents some intriguing thoughts on the transience of life. In summary, there are numerous motivations to catch Perkins’ latest movie when it arrives at cinemas soon, and it serves as a smart and blood-soaked accomplishment for Perkins, Wan, and King.

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2025-02-03 20:33