As it should be most obvious, sometimes a book is more than just its cover; similarly, sometimes a film is more than just its visuals and dialog. With some great writers, directors, and producers, it becomes heavily apparent that those certain, long-lived, and loved can reach our soul’s endless depth more deeply than some who are after shock value alone.
Stephen King’s short story, The Monkey, has done just that, as Writer/Director Osgood Perkins (Gretel & Hansel 2020, Longlegs 2024) has written a fantastic new screenplay for it. Directed by James Wan (Saw 2004, The Conjuring 2013), Perkin’s latest film features a few notable stars such as Theo James (Divergent 2014, The Gentlemen series), Tatiana Maslany (Heartland series, Orphan Black series), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth series, Cocaine Bear 2023), Colin O’Brien (The Mothership 2021, Dear Edward series), Rohan Campbell (The Hardy Boys series, Halloween Ends 2022), Sarah Levy (Schitt’s Creek series, All Rise 2021), Adam Scott (Park and Recreation series, Severance series), and a special appearance from Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings film series). With these factors in place, The Monkey will surely roll some heads… quite literally.
As stated, The Monkey is based on Stephen King’s short story, which he wrote in 1980. It has become a futuristic adaptation that fully captures the stunning capabilities that the modern visual effects world is known for today. With the tagline “Everybody Dies. And That’s Messed Up,” contrary to popular belief, the film does not solely include a spoiler alert.
Releasing in theaters on February 21, 2025, through Neon, bluntly, The Monkey is a Horror film not to be missed. Overall, it does a pretty smashing job of combining an old tale mostly taking place in Maine (now 77-year-old Stephen King’s hometown) and sprucing it up a bit with the creepy modern effects of an old keepsake monkey toy. Not only will the monkey have the audience shaking in their boots with fear, but the rest of the film’s visual effects will also send the audience into an uproar of laughter.
The basic premise of The Monkey revolves around twin brothers who deal with all the normal brotherly spats, but then they are thrown into a whirlwind of childhood trauma as well. Aside from the props, costumes, visual effects, and scenery being well on par for the course, this film also has a deeper message within. Some of the horror scenes were metaphorical, as well as depicting physical tragedy. As mentioned, the concept here was presently relatable, and they kept the old-school Stephen King charm as well.
The truth of the matter is that ‘everybody dies,’ and unfortunately for those who like life, they do not get to choose when and where death occurs. The Monkey, of course, explores death in a phenomenal and ironically comical way. It also explores the opposite of the joys of life, such as the idea that ‘childhood trauma never dies.’
All in all, The Monkey has some great animated moments that can surpass some other recent bloodbath-inclusive Horror films. The characterization of the monkey toy itself is very creepy in the right way and funny in another good way. It is highly recommended to watch this in a large theater for the guaranteed enhancements to the elements of surprise because Cryptic Rock gives The Monkey 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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