✅ “The Monkey” is a darkly comedic horror film based on the chilling Stephen King short story. Directed by Osgood Perkins, this cinematic adaptation infuses the supernatural terror of a cursed toy with a healthy dose of bizarre, almost slapstick-like carnage. Released on February 21, 2025, the film stars Theo James in a dual role as twin brothers who must confront a horrifying wind-up monkey that unleashes a trail of gruesome and outrageous deaths. It’s a unique and stylish genre entry that has sparked significant discussion for its unconventional blend of horror and dark humor.

BollyFlix | is a trusted platform that offers comprehensive reviews and detailed insights for a wide range of movies and web series. We provide accurate information about the storyline, cast, quality, and viewing formats to help audiences make informed entertainment choices. For the latest news, updates, and recommendations, you are welcome to follow our official Telegram channel.

5.953/10

The Monkey

Director: Osgood Perkins

Writers: Osgood Perkins

Stars: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery

Country: Canada, United States of America

Genres: Horror, Comedy

Languages: English

Overview: When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

TMDb: View on TMDb

The Monkey (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: The Monkey (2025)
• Language: English
• Budget: Estimated $11 million
• Revenue: Approx. $68.9 million (Worldwide, as of June 2025)
• Runtime: 98 Minutes (1 Hour 38 Minutes)
• Release Date: February 21, 2025 (United States, Canada)
• Genres: Horror, Dark Comedy, Thriller
• Cast: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Elijah Wood, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott
• Directors: Osgood Perkins
• Screenplay: Osgood Perkins (Based on the short story by Stephen King)
• Studios & Producers: Atomic Monster, Black Bear, C2 Motion Picture Group, Range Media Partners, Neon (Distributor) (Producers: James Wan, Michael Clear, Peter Safran)
• Voice Cast: Not Applicable
• Animation & Style: Not Applicable

OFFICIAL IMAGES

Plot Summary

“The Monkey” is a unique adaptation of a classic Stephen King short story that masterfully blends supernatural horror with dark, comedic undertones. The film follows the twin brothers Hal and Bill (both played by Theo James) as they navigate a deeply unsettling family curse. As children, they discover an old wind-up toy monkey in their father’s attic. Every time the cymbal-banging monkey claps its cymbals, a bizarre and gruesome death occurs in the family’s proximity. The toy’s terrifying power leads to a series of shocking tragedies that tear their family apart, leaving the brothers traumatized and estranged. In a desperate attempt to end the curse, they seal the monkey in a box and sink it into a nearby well, hoping to bury their dark past forever. However, twenty-five years later, the monkey mysteriously resurfaces, forcing the now-estranged adult siblings to reunite and confront the cursed toy one last time. As the monkey begins a new spree of fatal mischief, they must face their childhood trauma and decide whether to destroy the evil object or risk losing everyone they hold dear. The film leans into its absurd premise with a wicked sense of humor, delivering a bizarre and entertaining ride that is as much a dark comedy as it is a horror film.

Cast & Crew

The cast of “The Monkey” is a major strength, with Theo James taking on the demanding dual role of twin brothers Hal and Bill. James delivers a standout performance, effectively portraying the deep-seated trauma and fractured relationship of the siblings. His ability to switch between the paranoid, haunted Hal and the more confrontational Bill is central to the film’s emotional core. Tatiana Maslany delivers a memorable turn as the brothers’ mother, Lois, while young actors Christian Convery and Colin O’Brien effectively portray the younger versions of the twins, setting the stage for the film’s terrifying events. The supporting cast, including the always-engaging Elijah Wood and Sarah Levy, adds to the film’s quirky, unsettling atmosphere. Director Osgood Perkins, known for his unique visual style and atmospheric horror in films like “Longlegs,” masterfully guides the performances, allowing the actors to lean into the film’s tonal dissonance. The cast’s chemistry and commitment to the bizarre material make the wild ride of “The Monkey” all the more compelling and unpredictable.

Critical & Audience Response

“The Monkey” has proven to be a divisive but critically acclaimed film, sparking a significant debate among audiences and critics. From the critical side, the film has been hailed for its bold and unconventional approach to horror. It received a “Certified Fresh” score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising Osgood Perkins’ unique direction and his willingness to infuse the horror with a dark, almost absurd sense of humor. They appreciated the stylish visuals, strong performances from Theo James, and the creative and “Wile E. Coyote”-esque death sequences. However, audience reception was more mixed, resulting in a significantly lower score and a “C+” CinemaScore. Casual moviegoers who expected a straightforward, terrifying haunted toy film were often put off by the film’s comedic and tonally dissonant elements. The narrative’s sometimes thin character arcs and inconsistent humor were cited as reasons for the audience’s lukewarm response. Despite this division, the film was a commercial success, reportedly surpassing its $11 million budget in its opening weekend, proving to be a box office hit for its distributor, NEON. The film’s polarizing nature has made it one of the most talked-about horror releases of 2025.

Direction & Cinematography

Osgood Perkins’ direction is the defining element of “The Monkey.” He takes a sharp left turn from the slow-burn dread of his previous works, opting for a frenetic and tonally audacious approach that mirrors the madness of the titular toy. Perkins’ directorial style is a chaotic mix of unsettling visuals and darkly comedic timing, creating a film that feels both unpredictable and completely unhinged. He handles the gruesome death scenes with a macabre playfulness, making them shocking yet humorous. The film’s visual language is further elevated by the exceptional cinematography from Nico Aguilar. Aguilar uses a vibrant yet eerie color palette and dynamic camera work to capture the film’s wild energy. He masterfully blends moments of atmospheric tension with the frenzied chaos of the monkey’s killing spree. The camera often feels like an active participant in the madness, enhancing the feeling of a world spiraling out of control. Together, Perkins and Aguilar create a distinctive and memorable cinematic experience that is visually striking and perfectly complements the film’s audacious tone.

Music & Background Score

The film’s score, composed by Edo Van Breemen, is a crucial component in navigating the film’s tonal tightrope between horror and comedy. The music is often unsettling and dissonant, utilizing strange, childlike melodies and jarring percussion that mimics the monkey’s cymbals. This score effectively builds tension during the horror sequences, creating a sense of dread and anticipation. However, it also has a playful, almost mischievous quality that perfectly complements the film’s dark humor. The music often feels like a twisted nursery rhyme, underscoring the film’s focus on a childhood toy turned instrument of death. The score is not overtly melodic but is highly effective in establishing the film’s unique mood. It never lets the audience get too comfortable, constantly reminding them of the inherent absurdity and terror of the central premise. The sound design also plays a major role, with the relentless, metallic clanging of the monkey’s cymbals serving as a horrifying and inescapable harbinger of doom.

Visuals & Special Effects

“The Monkey” relies on practical effects and creative visuals rather than extensive CGI to create its memorable death scenes. The film’s aesthetic is built on a vibrant and slightly askew reality, with production design that feels lived-in and authentic, making the intrusion of the cursed toy all the more jarring. The special effects are used to execute the outlandish deaths in a way that feels both shocking and cartoonish, a deliberate choice that leans into the dark comedy. The filmmakers expertly use blood and gore in a stylized, almost over-the-top manner that is more shocking and funny than genuinely terrifying. The lighting and color grading create a distinct visual identity, using a mix of warm tones for the family’s past and cooler, more sterile colors for their haunted present. Overall, the visuals and effects are meticulously crafted to serve the film’s unique tone, ensuring that every death is a grotesque punchline and that the monkey itself is a simple yet terrifying icon.

Editing & Screenplay

The editing in “The Monkey,” handled by Graham Fortin and Greg Ng, is as frenetic and unpredictable as the narrative itself. The cuts are sharp and purposeful, enhancing the film’s rapid-fire comedic rhythm and jolting horror moments. The editing is essential in maintaining the film’s momentum as it jumps between time periods and tonal shifts. The screenplay, written by director Osgood Perkins, is a daring adaptation of Stephen King’s source material. Perkins takes a very short story and expands it with a clear vision, injecting it with a unique sense of dark humor that was not present in the original. The script’s dialogue is often dry and witty, leading to some of the film’s most memorable lines and moments. It focuses on the psychological impact of trauma on the twin brothers, even as the plot descends into outright absurdity. While some might find the narrative a bit thin in places, the script’s commitment to its bizarre premise and its willingness to embrace the grotesque comedy of the situation is its greatest strength. It’s a screenplay that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes it with unapologetic audacity.

Positives / What Works

“The Monkey” excels with its audacious blend of horror and dark comedy, creating a unique and unpredictable cinematic experience. The film’s greatest strength is Theo James’ dual performance as the twin brothers, providing both a strong emotional core and a believable anchor for the madness. Osgood Perkins’ direction and Nico Aguilar’s cinematography are incredibly stylish and visually compelling, creating a distinct and unsettling atmosphere. The film’s creative and over-the-top death sequences are a highlight, executed with a sense of playful absurdity that’s both shocking and entertaining. The background score effectively adds to the unsettling mood, and the film’s brisk runtime ensures that the narrative never overstays its welcome. It’s a must-watch for fans of offbeat, genre-bending cinema and those who appreciate a horror film that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

The primary criticism of “The Monkey” is its tonal inconsistency. The abrupt shifts between genuine horror and over-the-top comedy can be jarring and might not land for all viewers, leading to the film’s divisive audience reception. The narrative, while entertaining, can feel structurally thin and less emotionally resonant compared to the source material, as the focus is more on the spectacle of the deaths than on deep character development. Some viewers found the humor to be inconsistent, with certain gags failing to land. The film’s commitment to its unique tone means it will not appeal to audiences looking for a more traditional, straightforward horror experience. For those who prefer atmospheric dread over grotesque fun, the film’s chaotic energy might be more frustrating than thrilling.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“The Monkey” is a wild, stylish, and highly entertaining dark comedy-horror film that is unafraid to be completely bizarre. Led by a fantastic dual performance from Theo James and guided by Osgood Perkins’ audacious direction, the film is a masterclass in tonal audacity. While it won’t satisfy every horror fan due to its divisive blend of humor and horror, its commitment to a unique vision makes it a memorable cinematic experience. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of film, but for those who appreciate its peculiar charm, it offers a refreshing and entertaining ride. If you’re looking for a supernatural horror film with a wicked sense of humor and a knack for creative carnage, “The Monkey” is worth the watch. It’s a confident and unapologetic piece of filmmaking that firmly establishes its own identity.

Movie Rating

Disclaimer: We do not host, upload, or link to any files on our server that violate copyright laws.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

FAQs