by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
Who would have guessed that a toy monkey playing a drum could be turned into a scary movie? I certainly didn’t, and I had never heard of the Stephen King short story The Monkey is based on until the film was announced. It definitely caught my attention, and I was eager to watch it. Directed by Osgood Perkins, who also made the hit film Longlegs, The Monkey is an interesting addition to his work.
Our story begins in 1999 with twin brothers, timid Hal and tough Bill, both played by Christian Convery. They find a strange monkey toy in their father’s closet and are clueless about the trouble it brings when they twist its key. After a series of mysterious deaths happen around them, the young twins decide to get rid of the monkey by tossing it down a well. Fast forward 25 years, and the brothers, now played by Theo James in a very funny performance, must team up with Hal’s son, Petey (Colin O’Brien), to deal with the monkey again when it mysteriously returns.
The movie explores the relationship between Hal and Bill as kids and how it deteriorates over time. Their single mother, Lois (Tatiana Maslany) is a bright spot in their lives, offering them quirky yet insightful lessons about life and death. The Monkey dives deep into themes of obsession, revenge, and guilt, which all stem from their traumatic childhood experiences. We see how this affects the older Hal and Bill. Additionally, Hal’s relationship with Petey is strained at first, but they gradually connect because of the eerie monkey.
It’s a mix of humor and horror, with some surprising and darkly funny deaths. Adult Bill’s look, including his mullet, is notably well done. However, the film does start to drag a bit in the last act, feeling like the deaths lose their creativity, and when the brothers finally unite, things wrap up too quickly. There are moments where the pacing slows down, but it thankfully picks up again.
While I wouldn’t say the film is fantastic, it is certainly enjoyable and entertaining. Sometimes, it’s nice to find humor, even in dark situations.
Rating: Liked It
The Monkey is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Chantal Ashford, and follow her on Letterboxd