Unleashing Laughter and Frights: A Deep Dive into Osgood Perkins’ ‘The Monkey’ – A Unique Horror Comedy Experience

When you sit down to watch The Monkey by Osgood Perkins, you might feel tempted to switch it off. With its outrageous gore, quirky dialogue, and playful tone, it’s a wild ride. But after you get used to its unique style, you’ll find that it fits perfectly into the realm of “Goofy Stephen King Adaptation.” It leans more toward the campy vibe of Maximum Overdrive than the seriousness of The Shining.

The story revolves around twins Hal and Bill, both portrayed by Christian Convery. After their father’s mysterious disappearance, they come across a cursed organ grinder monkey. This monkey, when cranked, unleashes a brutal death on whoever is randomly chosen. To stop the chaos, the twins throw the monkey into a well and try to move on. Years later, when strange deaths start happening in their hometown, the brothers, now played by Theo James, have to figure out who is cranking the monkey again.

This film is just plain goofy. The plot is simple, but that’s all you need. The main draw is the absurd and comical death scenes that resemble something out of a cartoon. The cast fully embraces the ridiculousness, making the experience all the more entertaining.

Theo James delivers a standout performance as the dysfunctional Hal. After realizing the monkey targets those close to the cranker, Hal becomes a reclusive loner, drifting apart from his son, Petey (Colin O’Brien). Their strained relationship adds depth to the film, highlighting James’ ability to portray an awkward and paranoid character. Meanwhile, Bill, also played by James, descends into madness from his traumatic past, including wearing his childhood suit from their mother’s funeral.

Tatiana Maslany shines as the twins’ mother, Lois. She brings electrifying energy to her role, balancing humor with a dark perspective on life and death. The film is filled with memorable cameos that add to the comedic touch.

One of the film’s biggest draws is its over-the-top death scenes. Instead of evoking fear, they bring laughter, reminiscent of the Final Destination series but presented in a more absurd way. Watching, you might recall Happy Tree Friends, where cute characters experience gruesome fates in a playful manner. The blend of comedy and gore becomes both shocking and entertaining.

Osgood Perkins knows how to set a distinct tone. With previous works like Longlegs, he crafts stories that walk the line of horror and comedy. In The Monkey, he deftly combines horror elements with laugh-out-loud moments, showcasing how minor tweaks can change a scene’s vibe from tense to funny.

Though The Monkey takes a different path from traditional horror, its blend of comedy and horror provides a refreshing watch. With its striking imagery, strong performances, and an absurd take on mortality, the film reminds us that life—and death—can be quite silly.

3 out of 5 stars

The Monkey is a new adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, directed by Osgood Perkins. In it, twins discover a wind-up monkey capable of causing random deaths after cranking it. They bury it to stop the killings, but after many years, the monkey resurfaces, leading to chaos once again. The film stars Theo James as both Hal and Bill, alongside Tatiana Maslany, Colin O’Brien, Christian Convery, and more. It’s produced by several companies, including Atomic Monster and Neon, and was released on February 21, 2025.

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