'The Monkey': Stephen King + Slasher + Dark Comedy = Pure Madness

PREMIERE

Osgood Perkins had us used to a more sober and atmospheric horror, but in The Monkey, he lets loose and dives headfirst into a festival of blood and laughter. The film, based on a short story by Stephen King and produced by Neon, promised to deliver sheer terror with its premise of a cursed toy. However, what it actually delivers is a dark comedy with horror elements that, while not particularly scary, is tremendously entertaining.

The story follows two brothers who find a cymbal-clapping toy monkey that, every time it plays, triggers a brutal death. Years later, the toy resurfaces, and the curse begins its rampage once again. Essentially, it’s like Final Destination, but on steroids and with a lot of dark humor. Instead of meticulously playing with fate, here everything is a delightful mess that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s as if Perkins blended classic slasher horror with the most carefree B-movie vibes, achieving a peculiar balance between the grotesque and the hilarious.

The kills are the film’s main attraction, and honestly, they are an absolute blast. Some left me with my jaw on the floor—not just because of their brutality, but because of how creative and over-the-top they are. You can tell Perkins loves the genre and has fun with it, pushing it to the extreme in a way that’s impossible not to enjoy. That being said, I would have loved to know more about the monkey’s origin, as the film barely bothers to explain it. Who created it? Why does it have this power? With just a few extra minutes to develop this aspect, it would have felt much more complete. Still, by the time the ending arrives, everything is redeemed. The scene where we literally stare death in the face is one of the film’s best moments.

Part of the film’s appeal also lies in Theo James’ performance, as he takes on the impressive challenge of playing both protagonist brothers. We’re used to seeing him in more conventional roles, like in Divergent, but here he completely breaks away and delivers a performance that surprises with its versatility and energy. It’s a radical shift in his career and proves he has much more range than he’s been given credit for.

The Monkey isn’t the horror film I was expecting, but I had such a great time that I honestly don’t mind. If you’re looking for a wild experience full of gore and laughs, this is exactly what you need. But if you’re expecting genuine terror… well, maybe this monkey isn’t for you.

@LOVACAINE