In 1999, two young brothers go through the belongings of their father, who has long since left their life. Among the belongings is a mysterious wind-up toy monkey that the boys pull out and give a try. But each time the monkey’s key is turned and its drum beats, people die under mysterious and often shocking circumstances. A quarter century later in adulthood, the brothers reunite when similar tragedies begin occurring, and things may not be all that they seem.
THE MONKEY is based on one of Stephen King’s short stories, but hadn’t been adapted as a feature film before, although it had received an hour-long short film treatment in 2023. After having left the theater for my press-only screening at AMC Town Square here in Las Vegas, I can say with all honesty, that despite the violence and murderous content contained in THE MONKEY, it’s easily the hardest I’ve laughed at the movies in years. There were only six of us in the theater, yet all the other critics in attendance were equally amused, as their laughter showed from start to finish. Who would’ve thought a movie about deaths, curses, and tragedies could be this hilarious?
The story is in the capable hands on Osgood Perkins (son of famed actor Anthony Perkins) who has been making a name for himself on both sides of the camera for many years now. The running time of around 100 minutes never feels excessive, with R-rated gore and violence around every corner… and an equal quantity of laughs. The lightning-fast witty script combined with deaths so absurd they must be seen to be believed, surprisingly, make for a winning combination.
The basic premise of the movie is simple enough, but surprisingly effective. The monkey toy seen in the film may very well be the perfect combination of “creepy but funny” to show up in recent cinema. The twin brothers in the movie are played by a single actor at both age ranges, Theo James in adulthood and Christian Convery in younger years, both of whom are great at these roles, with both actors showing great range. The supporting cast, including a virtually unrecognizable Elijah Wood, and Tatiana Maslany (of SHE-HULK fame) bring everything together nicely. Everyone is perfectly cast, and the premise is far more effective than you’d expect.
If there’s one minor complaint with THE MONKEY, it’s that the “adult” half of the film is never quite as entertaining as the “child” half of the film, which brings to mind other Stephen King-based works including IT and STAND BY ME. The narrative does get a bit convoluted in the latter half, and the plot twists do feel a bit out of left field, but this critic still can’t deny that THE MONKEY is a good time.
2025 has only just begun, but THE MONKEY is the best time I’ve had at the movies this year so far. Extremely gory violence and laugh-out-loud humor don’t usually go together, but Osgood Perkins has proven that it can be done. If you want to laugh harder than you’ve laughed at the movies in a long time and you’re not a squeamish time, THE MONKEY comes highly recommended!