The Monkey
The Monkey
When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years.
Michael Heimgartner reviewedJuly 6, 2025
Darkly Fun, Bloody, and Offbeat – A Solid Stephen King Adaptation
The Monkey is a Stephen King adaptation that leans hard into its pulpy, darkly comic roots - and for the most part, it really works. Directed by Osgood Perkins, whose style I’m really starting to appreciate, the film has a distinctive voice that balances horror, humor, and a surprising amount of self-aware absurdity.
The premise itself is classic King - a cursed toy monkey that spells death for anyone near it. The scenes with the monkey are among the film’s best: genuinely tense, unsettling, and at times gleefully bloody. I especially enjoyed that the violence doesn’t shy away from being over-the-top. The kills are creative and sometimes exaggerated in a way that feels intentional, giving the film a campy energy without losing its darker edge.
One of the film’s strongest assets is its mood. The atmosphere is unsettling but never oppressive, and the tone is playful without becoming parody. The humor works precisely because it often relies on subtle, situational beats - often without words - highlighting an underlying absurdity that King himself would probably appreciate.
I also liked the surprisingly grim ending, which took a darker turn than I expected. It added weight to the story without feeling cheap or unearned. The film doesn’t make perfect sense if you try to dissect every detail, but that seems intentional. It knows what it is - a grisly little horror story that’s happy to embrace its own ridiculousness.
The cameo from Elijah Wood was fun, though I admit I wish it had lasted longer. Still, it’s memorable and adds to the film’s quirky charm. James Wan’s producing influence is clear too, especially in the slick production values and the way the horror beats are staged and paced. The tension stays strong throughout, keeping you invested right up to the final moments.
Performances overall are solid - no one steals the show, but everyone does their job well. The characters are grounded enough to keep you caring even when the story edges into the absurd. The cinematography and music also deserve praise. They both serve the film well, adding atmosphere without overshadowing the story.
Is it a blockbuster? No. But it’s not trying to be. Instead, it’s a well-crafted, slightly unhinged, and highly watchable horror film that isn’t afraid to go a little over the top. It’s robust, unpretentious, and refreshingly different from the safer studio horror offerings.
The Monkey might not be a masterpiece, but it’s a fun, effective, and stylishly dark King adaptation with real personality. If you like your horror with blood, dark humor, and a twisted sense of playfulness, it’s well worth checking out.