Oz Perkins, following the success of Longlegs, delivers another chilling horror adaptation from Stephen King's repertoire: The Monkey. This darkly comedic thriller stars Theo James as a pair of twins tormented by a malevolent cymbal-playing monkey toy. The ensemble cast also includes Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and Adam Scott, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
IGN critic Tom Jorgenson hails The Monkey as "one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory," praising its blend of gruesome violence and laugh-out-loud humor.
How to Watch The Monkey
The Monkey premiered in theaters on February 21st. Check local listings at Fandango, AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, and Regal Theatres.
Streaming Release:
The Monkey will eventually stream on Hulu, not Netflix or Max, due to Neon's distribution agreement with Hulu. Given Neon's release pattern (e.g., Longlegs had a seven-month theatrical-to-streaming gap), expect a several-month wait for Hulu availability. Digital rentals and purchases via Prime Video should be available by early May.
Synopsis:
Based on King's 1980 short story (revised for the Skeleton Crew collection), the film follows twin brothers who unearth a cursed wind-up monkey, unleashing a wave of bizarre deaths upon their family. Years later, the monkey's killing spree resumes, forcing the estranged siblings to confront their demonic plaything.
Post-Credits Scene:
While there's no traditional post-credits scene, a surprising element awaits viewers who stay until the very end. (For details without spoilers, consult IGN's guide to the ending.)
Cast:
- Theo James: Hal and Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery: Young Hal and Bill
- Tatiana Maslany: Lois Shelburn
- Colin O'Brien: Petey
- Rohan Campbell: Ricky
- Sarah Levy: Ida
- Adam Scott: Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Elijah Wood: Ted Hammerman
- Osgood Perkins: Chip
- Danica Dreyer: Annie Wilkes
- Laura Mennell: Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother
- Nicco Del Rio: Rookie Priest
Rating and Runtime:
Rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, pervasive language, and some sexual references. Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes.
