The Monkey Movie Review dives into a horror-comedy that blends Stephen King’s macabre imagination with Osgood Perkins’ knack for atmospheric terror. Released in 2025, The Monkey stars Theo James as twin brothers Hal and Bill whose lives unravel when a cursed wind-up toy monkey begins bringing inexplicable, horrific deaths into their family story. The film also features Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, and others who add layers of tension, dread, and occasional dark humor. With a $10–11 million budget and grossing nearly $69 million, this movie is both a commercial hit and a genre experiment. This review covers plot, cast & crew, thematic depth, strong and weak points, and whether The Monkey delivers what it promises — horror, chaos, or just noise.
The Monkey Movie Review – Plot Overview
Based on Stephen King’s 1980 short story, The Monkey follows the cursed toy monkey that triggers deaths every time its key is wound. Twin boys Hal and Bill discover the toy in their father’s attic during childhood. After a string of brutal accidents, they try to rid themselves of it. Years later, now estranged, the brothers are forced back together when the monkey returns, reawakening its deadly legacy. The plot frames the toy not just as a horror mechanism, but a kind of supernatural force challenging family ties, fate, and guilt.
Cast & Crew – Who Makes It Terrifying
- Director & Writer: Osgood Perkins — known for Longlegs, bringing a dark tone and strong visuals.
- Producers: James Wan, Dave Caplan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Chris Ferguson.
Main Cast:
- Theo James as adult Hal/Bill Shelburn (twins)
- Christian Convery as young Hal & Bill
- Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn, their mother
- Colin O’Brien as Petey, Hal’s son
- Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, Elijah Wood in supporting roles
Technical Crew:
- Cinematography: Nico Aguilar
- Music: Edo Van Breemen
- Editing: Greg Ng, Graham Fortin
Style & Themes – Horror, Family & Fate
The Monkey plays on recurring horror tropes: cursed objects, children in danger, and inevitable fate. But it also adds dark humor and absurdity—deaths are outrageous and sometimes over-the-top. The tone shifts are intentional, combining dread with grotesque spectacle.
Major themes include:
- Family and estrangement — the bond between the brothers, guilt over childhood decisions, and the return of past sins.
- Inevitability of fate — once the monkey toy’s curse is set in motion, escaping it seems almost impossible.
- Supernatural cause & chaos — the toy as a force beyond logic, bringing chaos into ordinary life.
Visually, the film leans into moody lighting, contrast between past and present, and gore used not just for shock but to underscore horror’s absurdity. The humor moderates the tension but doesn’t always land for every viewer.
Reception & Box Office
The Monkey performed well commercially and got a warm welcome from critics and horror fans. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a solid approval rating (~77%) with many reviewers praising its boldness and style.
With a modest budget of $10–11 million, its $68.9 million global gross marks it as profitable.
Critics’ highlights and complaints:
- Praise for atmospheric visuals, inventive death scenes, and strong casting.
- Criticism aimed at tonal inconsistency, humor that sometimes undermines tension, and a narrative that occasionally feels repetitive.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intriguing premise based on Stephen King’s short story.
- Strong performances, especially from Theo James and Tatiana Maslany.
- Visually striking, with creative set pieces and death sequences.
- Blend of horror + dark humor offers something different than pure horror.
- Good box office success vs modest budget.
Cons
- Tone shifts may feel uneven and jarring to some viewers.
- Humor sometimes dilutes suspense rather than enhances it.
- Some deaths feel predictable once you understand the pattern.
- Limited emotional payoff for some secondary characters.
- Horror fans expecting intense dread might prefer less comedic or more atmospheric films.
Final Verdict
The Monkey is a wild ride — messy, bloody, funny in parts, and unafraid to lean into absurdity. This Monkey Movie Review concludes that it’s not for everyone, but for viewers who like horror with a twist, it delivers a memorable experience. If you enjoy weird cursed-object stories, family horror, and aren’t turned off by gore and dark comedy, this one’s definitely worth seeing.
For more horror movie reviews, gruesome fun, and in-depth film analysis, check out GoMovies — your home for cinematic thrills and critiques.
FAQs – The Monkey Movie Review
What is The Monkey about?
The Monkey is about twin brothers Hal and Bill who uncover a cursed wind-up toy monkey in childhood. The toy causes deaths whenever it’s wound, and 25 years later the evil returns, forcing them to confront its legacy.
Who directed The Monkey and who stars in it?
The film is written and directed by Osgood Perkins. Main roles are played by Theo James (twins Hal/Bill), Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, along with other supporting cast members.
Is The Monkey based on a Stephen King story?
Yes — it adapts Stephen King’s 1980 short story “The Monkey.”
How has The Monkey been received by critics & audiences?
Generally positive. Rotten Tomatoes reviews are favorable (~77%), praises for its originality, gore and visuals, though some critiques about uneven tone and humor.
Where can you watch The Monkey?
It was theatrically released in the U.S. on February 21, 2025. It became available digitally (purchase) on April 4, 2025, on platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is expected via Hulu later.
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