Key Points:
- The Monkey’s ending leaves a trail of death, with Bill meeting a gruesome fate at the hands of his own trap.
- Hal chooses to keep the cursed monkey toy, preventing further destruction but leaving room for a potential sequel.
- The film diverges significantly from Stephen King’s original short story, adding deeper character conflicts and a more violent climax.
The Monkey Ending Explained: A Deadly Fate Unfolds
Osgood Perkins’ adaptation of The Monkey delivers an unsettling and darkly comedic take on Stephen King’s short story. The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, played by Theo James and Christian Convery, as they struggle with their past and the murderous toy monkey that dictates fate.
By the end, death is rampant. Bill attempts to manipulate the monkey into killing Hal, but the toy has a mind of its own. Ultimately, their mother’s bowling ball—one of Bill’s own traps—becomes the instrument of his demise, taking his head clean off. Meanwhile, Hal and his son Petey leave the town behind, witnessing the destruction the monkey has caused.
As they drive away, they encounter a mysterious pale rider, who acknowledges them before vanishing into the distance. This cryptic moment suggests deeper supernatural elements at play, hinting at further mysteries that could be explored in a sequel.
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Why Hal Keeps The Monkey & Where He’s Taking It
Rather than discarding the deadly toy, Hal chooses to keep it. He understands its power too well—every time someone tries to get rid of it, more people die. By holding onto it, he ensures that no one else can use it for their own purposes.
With Petey’s help, Hal may try to lock the monkey away in a secure location. A basement or a high-security storage facility could be options, but as the film has shown, the toy has a way of coming back. Keeping it close ensures he can monitor it and prevent further tragedies—at least, as long as no one turns the key again.
Bill’s Shocking Death & Its Symbolism
Bill’s demise is one of The Monkey’s most shocking moments. After years of plotting revenge against his brother, he dies in an ironic twist—killed by his own mother’s bowling ball trap. His obsession with controlling fate ultimately leads to his undoing.
The film underscores a recurring theme: death is inevitable and uncontrollable. While Bill believed he could manipulate the monkey into doing his bidding, it proved that no one has power over fate. This adds a tragic layer to his character—he spent his life fixated on vengeance rather than truly living.
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What Happened to Hal & Bill’s Father?
Played by Adam Scott, Captain Petey Shelburn appears briefly in The Monkey’s opening scene. He gifted the toy to his sons but quickly realized the horror it could unleash. In an attempt to destroy it, he used a blowtorch, only for the monkey to remain intact. After this, he vanished from his sons’ lives, labeled a deadbeat father by their mother.
The film leaves his fate ambiguous, but the most likely explanation is that he fled to protect his family. Knowing that the monkey was indestructible, he may have chosen to distance himself, hoping it would never resurface. His absence looms over Hal’s life, influencing his own decisions about protecting Petey.
How The Monkey’s Ending Differs from Stephen King’s Story
While The Monkey is inspired by Stephen King’s short story, the film takes significant creative liberties. In King’s version, Hal and his son Petey dispose of the toy by sinking it in a lake, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of fish and nearly killing Hal. The original story lacks Bill’s character, the revenge subplot, and many of the film’s more gruesome deaths.
The movie’s decision to keep the monkey with Hal sets up a potential sequel, while the short story offered a more definitive ending. Additionally, the film leans into dark comedy and exaggerated horror elements, making it a unique interpretation of King’s original vision.
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How The Monkey Sets Up a Sequel
Although The Monkey doesn’t include a post-credits scene, its ending leaves room for a follow-up. Since Hal still possesses the monkey, future events could bring the toy back into action. A sequel could explore the monkey falling into new hands—perhaps through a break-in, theft, or an accidental discovery.
Another possibility is a prequel focusing on Hal and Bill’s father. Given his mysterious disappearance, a prequel could explore how he first encountered the monkey and why he ultimately abandoned his family. Expanding on the origins of the cursed toy could deepen the mythology and pave the way for an extended horror franchise.
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The Real Meaning of The Monkey
At its core, The Monkey is about the inevitability of death. The film emphasizes that no one can control when or how someone dies, no matter how much they try. Hal and Bill both attempt to wield the monkey’s power for their own reasons, only to be reminded that fate is indifferent.
Despite its horror elements, the film also weaves in dark humor, emphasizing the randomness of life and death. It’s a twisted but poignant reminder that death doesn’t follow a pattern—it can strike at any time, without reason or warning.
The Monkey is now playing in theaters nationwide.
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