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THE MONKEY Review: Osgood Perkins' Gore-Fueled Horror Comedy is More Style Than Substance


An upside-down person in dark clothing and a monkey mask grins in a dimly lit setting, creating a mysterious, eerie mood.
Image Courtesy of NEON

By Shannon McGrew


When it was announced that filmmaker Osgood Perkins, known for his distinctive visuals and atmospheric style, would adapt Stephen King's THE MONKEY, fans were understandably excited. Coming off the success of his previous film, Longlegs, expectations were high, and many were eager to see how he would approach this unsettling story. While Perkins succeeds in crafting striking, blood-soaked visuals, he stumbles in weaving together a story that surpasses its superficial exterior.


THE MONKEY follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, who discover a wind-up monkey toy left behind by their father before he vanished. They soon realize that whenever the toy is wound up, it sets off a deadly chain of events. After a series of gruesome deaths that shatter their family, the story jumps 25 years into the future. Hal has done everything possible to escape his past, but when the monkey resurfaces, he must reunite with his estranged brother to stop its reign of terror and protect his family.


THE MONKEY boasts a strong cast of genre favorites, including Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood - not to mention a fun early cameo I won't spoil. Theo James steals the show with his dual performance as twin brothers Hal and Bill, a challenging feat he pulls off seamlessly. He crafts two distinct characters - one grounded, the other more unhinged - through subtle shifts in voice and physicality. While the supporting cast delivers solid performances, their roles primarily serve to bolster James's standout turn.


Tatiana Maslany plays Hal and Bill's mother, a woman left struggling after her husband vanishes one night, never to return. She brings a sharp, cynical edge to the role, delivering a performance that resonated with me - even as someone who isn't a mother. She doesn't force happiness for the sake of it or shield her kids from the reality of death, instead wearing her emotions openly without it becoming too over-the-top. It was also fun to see Perkins give himself a cameo as the eccentric Uncle - the kind you wouldn't necessarily want around your kids but who is ultimately harmless.


A man stands in front of curtains stained with red, wearing a dark jacket. His face shows shock, creating a tense, dramatic mood.
Theo James in THE MONKEY | Image Courtesy of NEON

Rounding out the cast is Colin O'Brien as Petey, Hal's estranged son, who gets caught in the Monkey's deadly game; Rohan Campbell as a teen who becomes fixated on the toy and will stop at nothing to keep it; and Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman, a world-renowned author whose obsession with perfecting fatherhood seems rooted in his faith. Campbell and Wood stand out with some of the film's most memorable moments, helping to push the story's comic relief.


THE MONKEY excels in its absurdity, fully aware of the type of film it is. True to NEON's incredible marketing, the film delivers on its promise of over-the-top, gratuitous gore that will leave even the most seasoned horror fans staring in disbelief. Each death, whether it's a late-night swim gone horribly wrong or a disturbed hornet's nest, is uniquely gruesome and deserving of its own round of applause. Whether you look away in disgust or laugh at the madness, one thing's certain: Perkins spares no one.


Where THE MONKEY struggles is in its writing and character development. While Theo James does an impressive job of bringing the characters to life and differentiating the two brothers with distinct personalities, the character of Bill lacked the depth needed to really connect with that character. We get a strong sense of who both brothers are as they grow up, but despite the film focusing mainly on Hal, Bill is left underdeveloped ultimately resulting in the character feeling unfinished and flat.


Additionally, Elijah Wood's character feels like a missed opportunity. He's introduced with a unique backstory and a wealth of potential, only to be sidelined after one brief scene. While his role serves to bridge the relationship between Hal and his son, Petey, it's a shame his character wasn't explored more. There was so much more to unpack, and it would have been great to see him have a larger presence in the story.


Overall, it's refreshing to see Perkins step away from his more serious films and embrace a horror-comedy. While THE MONKEY never fully transcends it's superficial layer of excessive gore, it does enough to keep audiences entertained and reeling from the chaos on screen. In a time when the world feels heavy and hopeless, films like this offer a welcome distraction from real-life horrors. It may not be my favorite Perkins film, but it's definitely the funniest of his career.


THE MONKEY arrives in theaters February 21, 2025.



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