The Monkey Review: This Stephen King Adaptation Is Bananas In All The Best Ways

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With the release of “The Monkey,” writer and director Osgood “Oz” Perkins is enjoying a surge of goodwill and viral acclaim among horror enthusiasts, largely due to his chilling serial killer film, “Longlegs.” This 2024 hit not only became one of the year’s most-watched horror films but also garnered widespread praise. By the time “Longlegs” graced the screens, Perkins was already working on his next project, and now that project, “The Monkey,” has arrived under a bit more pressure – expectations created by the success of “Longlegs” and its intense impact.

As a die-hard fan of Perkins’ last masterpiece, “Longlegs,” if you’re expecting another dose of the same, think again! “The Monkey” might not resemble its predecessor in terms of genre, but it undeniably serves as an exceptional sequel to it. This new feature encapsulates Perkins’ unique directing style, his mischievous wit, and his knack for swiftly switching gears – traits that made “Longlegs” a standout.

Packed with intense violence, uproarious humor, and an uncanny blend of dark comedy and macabre imagery, “The Monkey” is everything “Longlegs” isn’t – and yet, it seamlessly complements Perkins’ broader filmography. Just like “Longlegs,” this horror gem is one you don’t want to miss out on!

One messed-up monkey

The adult twin brothers Hal and Bill, portrayed by Theo James, share a peculiar predicament dating back to their childhood. When their father, a rogue airline pilot, abandoned them, he left behind a collection of trinkets from his travels. Since their mother, played by Tatiana Maslany, shows no interest in these items, the boys have unrestricted access to their father’s acquisitions. Among these items is a peculiar wind-up monkey that plays drums whenever its key is turned. Although it may seem harmless at first glance, this monkey possesses an ominous quality: each time its drums are played, someone meets a grisly and often comically extreme death.

In the year 1999, when young lads discovered an object with peculiar abilities, they took extreme measures to conceal it, stashing it somewhere inaccessible. However, this enigmatic monkey wouldn’t let them off that easily, and a quarter of a century later, the twins are back on its track as it causes chaos in a tiny Maine town, negatively impacting their lives once more.

In the film adaptation penned by Oz Perkins, inspired by Stephen King‘s short story “The Body,” the narrative is reimagined and expanded to serve Perkins’ creative vision – for instance, replacing King’s cymbals with a drum for the monkey character. However, the essential essence of the tale remains unaltered. The Monkey, in both adaptations, transcends its role as a cursed artifact or symbol of trauma for the twins. Instead, it embodies an enigmatic natural force, much like relentless rain, that has become inexplicably entwined with this particular family, seeking to tear them apart at every opportunity.

What truly stands out about this film is its impressive feat of preserving the core concept while delving deeper into it, transforming “The Monkey” into a tale that revolves around parent-child relationships, fatherhood, and sonship, and the inescapable agony of empathy. Despite its boisterous, frequently comedic tone, the film never loses sight of this central theme, making it an extraordinary accomplishment.

Everybody dies

At the outset of the movie, a character underlines the fact that everyone eventually meets their end by saying bluntly, “everyone dies.” This serves as a significant thematic point and might even be seen as the film’s core message. Throughout “The Monkey,” numerous characters meet their demise, from the opening scene to the closing shot. Their deaths are depicted in various intricate and undeniably engaging ways.

In a chilling twist, having an artifact capable of causing instant death with a mere toy drumstick strike would be terrifying enough. However, what makes this monkey truly unsettling is its knack for designing intricate, brutally violent, and sometimes ironic deaths for its victims. It’s not just about taking lives; it’s about doing so in ways reminiscent of a cartoon character’s demise. The filmmakers, led by Oz Perkins, relish this opportunity to unleash their inner Wile E. Coyote with the gore elements, making the movie a blood-soaked spectacle. Theo James, part of an amusing ensemble cast, embraces the madness wholeheartedly, immersing himself in a torrent of blood, viscera, and brains, all while trying to portray the emotional core of the film – the duality of these twins, who are both severely damaged yet sympathetic. This performance is a masterclass in horror acting, especially when the action turns gory, and because James plays two characters, he offers multiple layers to his portrayal.

In essence, the title character steals the show in the movie, embodying the wild, unpredictable spirit that defines the film. If “Longlegs” portrays the decay at the heart of society, then the monkey is like a cosmic prankster, disrupting your life for no reason other than it can. The movie’s chaotic nature, with its occasional slippery storytelling and confusing third act, seems to suit director Perkins well. This is his first film of this kind, and through the monkey, he excels in this new realm of fast-paced, gory madness. Similar to “Longlegs”, it showcases a horror director utilizing all their skills to create a specific atmosphere, and this time, it promises to be one of the most entertaining cinematic experiences of the year for horror enthusiasts. In summary, “The Monkey” is a madcap, mind-bending experience just waiting to be embraced by horror fans everywhere.

“The Monkey” lands in theaters on February 21.

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2025-02-18 22:31