The Monkey

Osgood Perkins, Stephen King adapts his 1980 novella into film and titles it The Monkey (2025). The film centers around a dark-toned holiday horror comedy that follows the story of twin brothers, Hal and Bill Shelburn who, upon discovering a sinister cymbal monkey toy in their father’s attic, are portrayed by Theo James. Whenever the artifact is used, menacingly, a string of grotesque, unexplainable deaths occur. After the brothers drift apart throughout the years and the monkey resurfaces, they are forced to unite once and for all in a final attempt to end the monkeys cursed influence.

🎬 Cast Highlights:

Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn – Twin brothers whose lives are completely turned upside down by the malignant toy monkey.

Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn – A character who plays an indispensable role among the wreck of the brothers’ volatile tale.

Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman – An emerging horror focal point who becomes an important horror emerging.

Adam Scott as Captain Petey Shelburn – The twins’ father, out of whose shadow the boys need to escape as he is voiced by the menacing dark secret tubes.

Christian Convery as Young Hal and Bill – He serves as the brothers when they were much younger.

🌟 Why Watch It?

The Monkey combines horror with dark comedy unlike any other by presenting a unique twist to the traditional cursed object concept. Osgood Perkins, the director, puts his own stamp on the film with a specific tone that draws from other classics like An American Werewolf in London and Death Becomes Her. The film explores ideas such as family trauma, being unable to escape the past, and the ridiculousness of destiny, all while zipping through stunning, gory set pieces. The Monkey smashes the genre border with a talented cast and a darkly humorous and suspenseful narrative. It guarantees a profoundly disturbing and entertaining cinema experience.