The darkly comedic adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling short story The Monkey has hit theaters, showcasing the versatile talents of Theo James as he takes on dual roles as twin brothers Hal and Bill. Directed by Osgood Perkins, known for his previous horror success with Longlegs, the film intertwines horror and humor, expertly capturing the unsettling nature of its story.
The plot of The Monkey revolves around the twin brothers who, upon discovering their father’s old monkey toy, inadvertently trigger a series of grisly deaths linked to the cursed object. After initially attempting to discard the toy and move on with their lives, the pair finds themselves forced to reconnect as adults to confront the terror the monkey brings back to their lives. The Monkey officially premiered on February 21, 2025, after filming took place earlier last year from February 5 to March 22.
James, who has been recently celebrated for his performances both on TV and the big screen, plays both characters against the backdrop of the mysterious deaths. Perkins, the film's director, has stated, "I really wanted to impress Stephen King with this adaptation, to give him back some part of what he's generously shared through his art." Throughout the film, audiences are treated to inventive and over-the-top death scenes reminiscent of the Final Destination series, eleving the movie's comedic horror tone.
Reflecting on his role, James shared insights about the process of embodying twins, stating, "Hal, on the one hand, is this kind of beleaguered every-man with dry wit. Then you have Bill, who’s basically a maniac." This careful distinction allows viewers to see the twins as individuals facing shared traumas stemming from their haunting childhood memories.
Of the film’s central object—the monkey toy—Perkins revealed, "We leaned on the classical look of it. Everyone has some uncanny feeling about this weird toy monkey, and we wanted to add unexpected real aspects, like his teeth being kind of smoker's yellow." This design choice impacts the fear and nostalgia audiences feel as they relate to the toy's unsettling presence.
Tatiana Maslany, perhaps best known for Orphan Black, plays the twins’ mother and brought her unique perspective to the project. Throughout filming, she noted the blend of horror and comedy offered breathers amid tension. "I hope it’s personal to people and provides both laughs and catharsis,” she remarked. Maslany's character is depicted with peculiar humor, adding levity to the film’s darker points.
The film balances humor with horror, offering memorable death scenes—from bizarre accidents featuring swimming pools and harpoons to imaginative deaths echoing comedic horror classics like Gremlins. The cast engaged deeply with the stakes of the horror, praising their favorite scenes during interviews. James noted, "The cobra kill is funny... Hal asks if there are cobras in Maine, and the realtor replies there was one, which I thought was hilarious." Maslany chimed in, recalling her best friend's memorable but brutal fate within the film, emphasizing the twisted joy found amid the gore.
Several actors shared their takes on Perkins' seamless transition between genres, acknowledging how he allowed their performances to shine and develop organically. Perkins commented, "The ultimate privilege is to reveal yourself in different ways. If you’re an artist, you want to show facets of yourself." This ethos shines through The Monkey, allowing room for comedic improvisation, particularly from James, who explored layers of both characters.
For James, portraying both Hal and Bill offered him the opportunity to play off distinct personalities, which he described as "a pleasure for any actor." This challenge becomes even more significant as he deftly navigates their deep-seated family issues with nuance and levity. "You want to bring people together... and never take yourself too seriously," James added, encapsulating the film’s message amid the jokes and horror.
The film not only serves as entertainment but also reflects on generational trauma—an exploration James is personally familiar with as he balances his own family life with his acting career. He shared, "I am constantly terrified about impressing something onto my kids, which they don’t want later on. You make mistakes as you try to be the best parent possible." This personal connection ties back to the film's underlying motifs, bringing audiences closer to its heart.
Overall, The Monkey presents itself as not just another horror flick but rather as a film with depth, combining laughter with fright and emotional resonance. Viewers can catch the film now and experience the duality for themselves. Perkins and his cast have crafted something unique, blending terror and humor through James's engaging performance, which is bound to resonate widely.