The Monkey features a a mix of quirky comedy, graphic gore, and emotional family dynamics. It’s an ambitious, unconventional film that delivers plenty of entertainment, even if it doesn’t always find its footing.
The Monkey Synopsis: A Cursed Toy Resurfaces
The narrative follows twin brothers Bill and Hal (Theo James in dual roles, with Christian Convery as their younger selves), who discover a wind-up drummer monkey in their estranged father’s attic. Each beat of its drum triggers a bizarre, fatal accident. After multiple attempts to dispose of it and growing apart over the years, the twins face the consequences when the monkey reappears, reigniting their past and unleashing chaos. It’s a story more focused on familial bonds than frights.
Osgood Perkins: A Creative Force
Director Osgood Perkins, son of Psycho icon Anthony Perkins, brings his distinctive vision to The Monkey. Known for atmospheric works like The Blackcoat’s Daughter and 2024’s standout horror film Longlegs, Perkins shifts into dark comedy here. He co-wrote the script, adapting Stephen King’s tale and cleverly swapping the original cymbal monkey for a drum-playing one to avoid a copyright clash with Disney’s Toy Story 3. His bold style and sharp eye elevate this quirky project.
Gore Tempered by Quirky Humour
The Monkey stands out by pairing its intense violence with a lighthearted, quirky edge. The gore is relentless—expect graphic deaths and shocking mayhem—but the offbeat comedy keeps it from feeling overly grim. This isn’t traditional horror; beyond its violent and morbid moments, it lacks genuine scares. Instead, it embraces absurdity, delivering a darkly amusing contrast that makes the bloodshed oddly enjoyable.
Characters: Eccentric and Engaging
The film’s cast is a highlight, brimming with eccentric personalities. Theo James excels as Bill and Hal—one reserved and burdened, the other restless and unpredictable—capturing their strained relationship with authenticity. Christian Convery shines in flashback scenes, while Tatiana Maslany and Elijah Wood add flair in smaller roles that deserve more screen time. These offbeat characters bring energy and relatability to the story, anchoring its wild premise.
Comedy: Darkly Funny, Unevenly Executed
The black humor is a core strength, with sharp wit shining through in moments like quips over fresh carnage. However, the comedy is inconsistent—some jokes hit the mark brilliantly, while others feel forced or fall flat. When it succeeds, it enhances the film’s quirky charm; when it falters, it’s a slight hiccup in an otherwise cohesive tone. The dark comedic foundation remains effective overall.
Family Estrangement: A Emotional Anchor
At its heart, The Monkey explores family and estrangement with surprising depth. The twins’ fractured bond, shaped by a difficult childhood and their father’s absence, provides an emotional core. Scenes of the twins in their younger years reveal the origins of their divide, lending weight to the chaos unfolding in the present. This focus on family ties adds a layer of substance, making the characters’ journey resonate amid the film’s eccentricities.
Verdict: A Bold, Bloody Blend
Visually, The Monkey impresses with moody cinematography and tight editing, though it prioritises style and humor over horror. The pacing occasionally slows, and the comedy’s unevenness holds it back from greatness, but Perkins’ creative direction and the cast’s appeal make it a compelling watch.
Fun Fact
According to the director, the decision to have the monkey bang a drum instead of cymbals was due to the rights to the cymbal-banging version being owned by The Walt Disney Company, as the toy had appeared as a character in Toy Story 3. Which is ironic, because the cymbal monkey was in Toy Story 3 in the first place because its director Lee Unkrich is a fan of Stephen King.
COMMENTS