The Monkey (2025): review

The Monkey brings Stephen King’s short story to the screen in an unusual combination of horror and black humor. Osgood Perkins delivers a film that is as disturbing as it is entertaining.

A cursed toy

Twins Hal and Bill, played as adults by Theo James, discover an old mechanical monkey during childhood. When the toy begins beating its drum, someone dies horribly. Their attempts to get rid of it fail to free them from its influence, which follows them across the years.

When it returns, the brothers must confront their past and the unspoken wounds within their family. The threat becomes a race against further deaths.

Horror meets absurd comedy

Perkins successfully combines an intense horror atmosphere with black humor. The film moves between tense, dark moments and exaggerated, grotesque deaths reminiscent of Final Destination. A sequence in a hibachi restaurant is especially memorable for its mix of absurd comedy and shocking gore. It also made me think of Gremlins.

The camerawork presents the monkey as an unsettling presence. Its appearances bring claustrophobic tension, reinforced by effective music. The drumming becomes an ominous warning of death, and Perkins handles that recurring motif with skill.

Theo James in two roles

James plays Hal and Bill with impressive versatility. Hal is quieter and more reflective; Bill is impulsive and aggressive. James makes both convincing and nuanced, giving their relationship an emotional foundation.

Tatiana Maslany as their mother and Elijah Wood as Ted also give strong performances. Maslany brings particular depth and adds emotional pressure to the family story.

The verdict

The Monkey is a successful adaptation with a distinctive combination of horror and humor. Atmospheric direction, cleverly constructed deaths, and strong performances make it one of the more interesting horror films of its year. Anyone interested in a bloody but unexpectedly funny Stephen King adaptation should give it a look.