Following the success of his expertly crafted horror film Longlegs, Osgood Perkins is returning to the director’s chair with The Monkey, a film adaptation of a chilling short story by the esteemed Stephen King. The recently unveiled teaser trailer has ignited excitement among horror enthusiasts and fans of King’s extensive work.
Produced by James Wan and directed by Perkins, The Monkey features an impressive cast that includes Theo James, Elijah Wood, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy.
This new adaptation promises an enticing experience for Longlegs admirers, portraying “a creature not from our world,”as hinted in the teaser. One character ominously notes, “Whoever wields it holds the power over life and death, with those deaths being truly horrific.”The film appears to promise a captivating mix of thrilling scares and compelling characters.
There is a rich history of successful horror films adapted from short stories, and King’s devoted followers are always eager for more cinematic interpretations of his eerie tales. The fact that The Monkey is finally making its way to the big screen is particularly thrilling, especially since the story has been around for several decades. Originally published in Galley magazine in 1980, it later appeared in King’s 1985 compilation, Skeleton’s Key.
The narrative follows twin brothers Bill and Hal, who discover their father’s old toy monkey in the attic, triggering a series of horrifying deaths. As the situation escalates, the brothers decide to discard the toy and attempt to lead their lives separately, growing apart as time passes.
In June 2024, Perkins shared intriguing insights regarding the atmosphere and tone of The Monkey during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He commented, “Imagine Robert Zemeckis on ecstasy; that’s the vibe of The Monkey. It’s an amusing film loaded with over-the-top gore and adult language. It’s a kids’ movie entirely rated R.”Initially, audiences might assume that the title refers to an actual monkey, but the concept of a toy monkey adds an extra layer of terror and intrigue.
Perkins has previously gained recognition for his work on the unsettling films The Blackcoat’s Daughter and I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, in addition to directing Gretel & Hansel, which premiered in 2020. His prior films delved into themes of demons, ghosts, and notorious fairy tale antagonists. With The Monkey, Perkins expands his horror universe, crafting a nightmarish tale centered around a toy monkey that terrifies its protagonists.
Mark your calendars for the theatrical release of The Monkey on February 21st, 2025, promising to deliver more exceptional storytelling from Perkins for horror aficionados.
Source: Elevation Pictures, Variety
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