The Monkey (2025)
The Monkey is a horror comedy based on a short story by Stephen King. It struggles to balance what is a gruesome premise with its deeper emotional undertones. The story is about twin brothers who are estranged from each other. Their lives are radically altered by a wind-up monkey that is cursed whenever it plays its drum—it causes violent deaths. After decades have passed, the two brothers have to confront the trauma they have shared when this sinister monkey turns up again.
The movie tries to explore the theme of generational trauma, the dynamics of a fractured family, and how death is inevitable for every human. These ideas are, of course, intriguing. The problem is that they often feel underdeveloped because they are constantly overwhelmed by the barrage of gore that is over-the-top and the dark humour. It’s obvious that the monkey is a metaphor for the unresolved emotional baggage the two boys suffer from. But the tone of chaos throughout the film undermines any meaningful commentary that the monkey might contribute to. Apparently, the original story that this movie is based on was quite melancholic. Perkins, the director, has decided to push into absurdity. This creates an inconsistency of tone that left me unsure of whether I was supposed to laugh or recoil from the creative forms of killing.
The performances of the actors are mixed. Theo James is solid in his portrayal of both of the siblings, Hal and Bill, at the different stages of their lives. He captures the strained relationship in a nuanced way. Tatiana Maslaney is excellent in her very limited role. She plays Lois, who is the bluntly honest mother. Elijah Wood is the eccentric stepfather. Sadly, he is wasted in a forgettable subplot. Colin O’Brien plays Hal’s son, Petey. He adds a bit of emotional weight. But he, too, is not utilised in the overall narrative.
When it comes to the visuals, The Monkey swings between looking striking and looking lurid. Sometimes, the cinematography is haunting. But because of the amount of CGI blood that is used, the visceral impact of the deaths is completely undermined. The practical effects are a bit better. They evoke some of the nostalgic charm of horror films that were made in the 1980s. The direction by Perkins is ambitious. But it’s uneven. Some of the scenes land well with macabre wittiness. Other scenes feel like they are merely imitating Final Destination or The Babadook. And the imitation is hollow. Just when there is a moment where the editing is key, suddenly the editing falters with transitions that are abrupt and disrupt the flow of the tension that is so important in a movie like this.
The pacing of The Monkey is another problem. The first act is good. It builds up the intrigue. But it isn’t long before the story becomes predictable: the victim is introduced, then we are teased with hints of the impending demise with elaborate setups, and then there is a gory payoff. This is repeated over and over again. Sometimes we laugh nervously. But about midway through the film, this becomes tiresome. And the music, with its mix of eeriness and jarring sound effectiveness, works well. But it is ultimately unmemorable.
When you compare The Monkey with movies like The Ring, The Monkey just isn’t as cohesive or emotionally resonant. Perkins tries to combine comedy and horror like the Evil Dead II by Sam Raimi, but, again, it doesn’t have anywhere near the level of finesse and charm. I saw Perkins’s other movie Longlegs recently. That movie showed how good Perkins can be at creating atmospheric horror. The Monkey, unfortunately, feels like a backwards step.
The Monkey is a very uneven ride, and its potential is squandered. It does offer a few moments of grim amusement. And there are some clever visual metaphors. But its chaotic tone and its uninspired storytelling left me unimpressed. If you are a fan of Stephen King adaptations, or you are into gory horror comedies, you might find a watch worthwhile just to have your curiosity satisfied. But, if you are like me, you will struggle to connect with it due to its muddled execution.