Key Points:
- The Monkey is an R-rated horror film based on Stephen King’s short story from Skeleton Crew.
- Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film stars Theo James, Elijah Wood, Tatiana Maslany, and Christian Convery.
- The story follows a cursed toy monkey that triggers horrific deaths whenever its cymbals clash.
- Early reactions suggest The Monkey is one of the goriest Stephen King adaptations yet.
Stephen King’s The Monkey Finally Gets a Feature-Length Adaptation
Stephen King’s chilling 1980 short story The Monkey is finally making its way to the big screen. The film, directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs, Gretel & Hansel), is set to release in 2025 and promises an intense blend of supernatural horror and extreme violence.
Produced by James Wan (The Conjuring, Malignant) and Jason Cloth, the film is part of Hollywood’s ongoing fascination with King’s works, which have resulted in classics like It, The Shining, and Doctor Sleep.
READ MORE: Why Sam’s Big Decision Before The Sekai Taikai Matters In Cobra Kai
Plot: What Is The Monkey About?
The movie follows twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who, as children, discover their father’s old wind-up monkey toy. Every time the monkey claps its cymbals, someone they know dies in a horrific and unexpected manner. Thinking they’ve rid themselves of the cursed object, they grow up only to realize that the deaths never truly stopped.
As adults, Hal (played by Theo James) and Bill (Christian Convery) are forced to confront their terrifying past when the monkey resurfaces. With people around them continuing to die gruesomely, the brothers must race against time to break the monkey’s curse before it destroys their family entirely.
READ MORE: Isaiah Bradley: The Forgotten Captain America’s MCU Story Explained
Cast and Characters
- Theo James (The White Lotus, Divergent) as adult Hal.
- Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) as young Hal.
- Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) as a mysterious collector with knowledge about the monkey’s origins.
- Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk, Orphan Black) as Hal’s concerned wife, trying to protect their family from the curse.
- Esai Morales (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) as a skeptical detective investigating the deaths linked to the toy.
How Scary Will The Monkey Be?
Unlike some of King’s more psychological horror adaptations like Doctor Sleep or The Boogeyman, The Monkey leans heavily into brutal gore and supernatural terror. Early reports suggest that the film doesn’t shy away from its R-rating, with scenes of extreme violence, disturbing imagery, and relentless tension.
Director Osgood Perkins, known for his slow-burn horror style in Longlegs and The Blackcoat’s Daughter, brings a blend of eerie atmosphere and visceral horror. Expect gruesome kills, practical effects, and spine-chilling suspense as the monkey’s victims meet their grim fate.
READ MORE: Cobra Kai Season 6: Finale ending explained
Production and Development
- The Monkey was announced in early 2023, with Osgood Perkins attached as director.
- Filming took place in Vancouver, Canada, with a mix of practical and CGI effects used for the monkey’s movements.
- The film’s eerie score is composed by Mark Korven (The Witch, The Lighthouse), adding an unsettling atmosphere to the horror.
- Produced by Atomic Monster (James Wan’s studio), the movie promises high production values and nightmarish visuals.
The Verdict: Should Horror Fans Be Excited?
With The Monkey, Stephen King fans and horror enthusiasts alike have a lot to look forward to. The combination of a chilling supernatural premise, brutal horror sequences, and a strong cast makes it one of the most highly anticipated King adaptations in recent years. If you enjoyed movies like It, Evil Dead Rise, and Malignant, this gruesome horror-thriller is likely to be right up your alley.
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
