THE MONKEY is a 2025 supernatural horror film written and directed by Osgood Perkins and produced by horror legend James Wan. The film is based on the 1980 short story by Stephen King. The film is the second collaboration between Osgood Perkins and Neon after the incredibly successful horror film LONGLEGS (our full review here).

After stumbling upon their father's vintage toy monkey in the attic, twin brothers Hal and Bill witness a string of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. In an attempt to leave the haunting behind, the brothers opt to discard the monkey and pursue separate paths over time. However, when the inexplicable deaths resurface, the brothers are compelled to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy.

The cast includes Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy.

THE MONKEY made its debut in theaters on February 21st, courtesy of Neon.

Osgood Perkins’ THE MONKEY is the kind of horror-comedy that swings wildly between absurdity and tension—sometimes nailing both, sometimes slipping on its own banana peel. Based on Stephen King’s short story, the film embraces its ridiculous premise with a self-awareness that’s both refreshing and, at times, a little too in on the joke.

Theo James pulls double duty as twin brothers who inherit the worst possible family heirloom: a toy monkey that plays its little drum and, in return, serves up death like a demented short-order cook. Perkins takes liberties with King’s story, leaning hard into over-the-top carnage and jet-black humor, turning what could’ve been a straightforward supernatural thriller into something that feels like FINAL DESTINATION and EVIL DEAD 2 got stuck in a blender.

The kills are gloriously unhinged, executed with a gory slapstick quality that makes you wince and laugh in equal measure. Perkins’ script relishes in the sheer absurdity of death, making it a running joke that’s as unsettling as it is entertaining. The film’s strongest moments come when it fully commits to its own madness—one particular set piece involving a bowling alley is destined for cult status.

However, the humor doesn’t always land as sharply as the hatchets, and the film occasionally stumbles in balancing its tone. There are stretches where the emotional beats feel undercooked, especially when the movie asks us to invest in the brothers’ strained relationship amidst the chaos. Some characters feel more like cannon fodder than actual people, and while that’s part of the joke, it does leave certain scenes feeling hollow.

That said, Perkins’ direction is confident, and the film looks great. The cinematography and practical effects bring a stylish griminess to the carnage, and the drumming monkey itself is surprisingly effective as a horror icon—equal parts goofy and unsettling, like if Chucky got his hands on a percussion set.

THE VERDICT

Ultimately, THE MONKEY is an entertainingly deranged ride that doesn’t reinvent the horror wheel but spins it fast enough to keep things interesting. It’s not flawless—some of its gags overstay their welcome, and it occasionally fumbles its emotional core—but when it works, it really works. If you can get on board with its gleefully nihilistic sense of humor, there’s a lot of fun to be had.

It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s occasionally brilliant—and even when it’s offbeat, at least it’s keeping time.