"The Monkey" review: A haunting tale that keeps you on edge

The mere thought of a Stephen King adaptation in the hands of writer-director Oz Perkins is enough to send shivers down any horror fan’s spine. Following his unsettling work with Nic Cage in Longlegs, Perkins takes on King’s The Monkey, a film that delivers on suspense and gruesome thrills, even if it never fully reaches peak horror intensity. Despite some flaws, it remains a gripping watch, blending psychological terror with blood-soaked carnage.

The film’s titular monkey is no ordinary toy—it’s a cursed relic of death. Wind up the key on its back, and a menacing drum roll signals impending doom. And when The Monkey says it’s time, the carnage is swift, brutal, and relentless. From the start, Perkins makes it clear that the film will not hold back on gore. The opening scene in a pawn shop sets the tone: A blood-soaked pilot (Adam Scott in a brief but chilling cameo) desperately tries to rid himself of the toy. But the moment the shop owner turns the key, a spear from the shelves impales him, marking the first of many shocking deaths.

The story then shifts to Maine—King’s storytelling playground—where we meet preteen twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn (Christian Convery), whose father, the ill-fated pilot, has disappeared. Their mother (Tatiana Maslany) is barely holding it together, and Hal, the bookish and bullied twin, struggles to navigate his world. When the boys stumble upon the monkey, all hell breaks loose.

Perkins expertly crafts each death scene with a blend of horror and dark humor, reminiscent of the Final Destination franchise. One particularly twisted sequence sees the boys’ babysitter, Annie Wilkes (a show-stealing Danica Dreyer), meeting a gruesome fate at a hibachi restaurant. The deaths are outlandish, grotesque, and sometimes absurdly funny, but they never let the audience fully relax.

As the boys attempt to destroy the monkey—first by flamethrower, then by throwing it down a well—the horror only deepens. Fast forward 25 years, and Hal, now an isolated and divorced father, reconnects with his estranged brother when the cursed toy resurfaces. Theo James, known for his Emmy-nominated role in The White Lotus, takes on the dual role of the older Hal and Bill, portraying their shared trauma with a mix of intensity and unnerving charm. The theme of generational trauma looms large, as Perkins masterfully explores how past horrors shape the present, especially as Hal’s son, Petey (Colin O'Brien), becomes entangled in the nightmare.

Even King himself has praised the film for its “batty insanity,” and while The Monkey embraces its campy moments, it’s more than just a series of shocking slaughters. Beneath the gore lies a psychological horror story about fear, fate, and the monsters we inherit. However, the film does lose some momentum in its final act, as the once-thrilling chaos starts to feel repetitive. Still, Perkins and King prove to be a formidable duo, delivering an eerie tale that lingers long after the credits roll.

The scariest monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the shadows—they’re the ones buried deep within us. Wind up The Monkey, and you just might see for yourself.