A Black Comedy Horror Film Based on Stephen King’s Short Story
Starring Anton Yelchin & Daryl McCormack.
Daryl portrays a man plagued by a cursed toy, while Anton plays a detective appointed to unveil the truth swirling behind the killer. Together, they delve into an unsettling past fraught with eerie intrigue, relentless family commotions, and hauntingly dark humor.
Synopsis
During a family trip, the twin brothers Shelburn stumble upon their father’s quirky wind-up monkey toy. Initially, the toy appears benign, but eventually it leads to a series of vicious and irrational murders. Hal and Bill comprehensively understand: the toy isn’t just cursed, but malevolent.
Eventually succumbing to the trauma inflicted by the monkey, the twins attempt to discard it in an effort to detach from one another. However, too good to be true, The Monkey returns after two decades.
Now adults with families of their own, Hal and Bill are forced to meet again and face each other as well as their past issues before the monkey’s wrath claims more victims. What begins as a paranormal enigma multiple evolves into a disturbingly humorous, grotesque clash of man vs. memories vs. an evil monkey.
Theo James reprises the dual role of Hal and Bill Shelburn with psychologically complex and emotionally layered performance. Christian Convery portrays young Hal and Bill, effectively encapsulating the central childhood trauma of the narrative. Tatiana Maslany plays Lois Shelburn, the brothers’ resolute mother. Adam Scott portrays Captain Petey Shelburn, their mysterious and deeply troubled father. Elijah Wood takes on Ted Hammerman, the eccentric local with a chilling secret regarding the monkey. Sarah Levy plays Aunt Ida and Colin O’Brien joins the cast as Petey Shelburn Jr., the son of Hal.
Osgood Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House) applies his signature eerie pacing and minimal dread to the film, giving it a slightly chaotic and darkly comedic tone that might just be new for Perkins. The outcome is a film that is unsettling and deeply engaging at the same time.
From blood-stained shocks to flickering lights, The Monkey is consistently horrifying, absurd, and surreal. The film’s absurd moments and surreal elements seamlessly blend grounding horror themes, while its artistic style draws the viewer’s attention and captivates them.
Reception & Box Office
On February 21, 2025, The Monkey was screened in theatres and Neon took over the marketing. The movie pulled a lot of attention due to its unique storytelling and character focused plot. The film was marketed with a budget of 10−10−11 million, which is quite modest for a horror movie with indie roots so it drew a lot of attention for grossing more than $63.5 million, which was a solid success.
Critics gave positive feedback too;
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% approval
Metacritic: 62/10 (Generally favorable reviews)
The bloody set pieces alongside Theo James’ dual-role performance were enjoyed by the audience and critics alike.
Themes & Symbolism
The core concept of The Monkey is undelt trauma. The toy monkey acts as a metaphor for buried family secrets and unresolved generational pain, as childhood horrors can – at times – come back with a sound of cymbals during adulthood.
Additionally, it explores physical and emotional split identity through the twin brothers. One brother jn the pair tried to move on, while the other was continually haunted by their past. Together, they confront the ‘thing’ they always wanted to, but couldn’t truly let go of.
Streaming Availability
Digital purchase options for The Monkey on Film now include mainstream platforms like Amazon Prime, Fandango At Home, and Apple TV as of April 2025. Following Neon’s standard distribution strategy, it is likely set to start streaming on Hulu in the middle of 2025.
Personal Insights
Unlike many contemporary horror films, especially ones focused on jump scares or excessive gore, The Monkey depends heavily on character development and slowly lets dread seep in throughout the film. Its unpredictability paired with psychological horror and an unexpected yet satisfying dose of dark humor amplifying the narrative makes it an entertaining watch.
Theo James gives a masterclass in acting while portraying Hal and Bill, and in yet another classic genre flick, Elijah Wood evidences his range while delivering a performance full of charm and twisted personas.
This is horror not bound to scare—it is anchored in the abyss, gaining permanence akin to a haunting tune from a toy that cannot seemingly be shattered.
Cultural Significance
Adopting a relatively anonymous short story by Stephen King was a gamble—but The Monkey pays off. It displays modernized, bold approaches to classic horror stemming from childhood fears that later evolve into something more sinister.
This film is a part of the new wave of horror that delves into the psychology of trauma, memory, and morality while still delivering visceral violence, horrifying moments, and powerful visuals. Once again, King adaptations have won the spotlight alongside Osgood Perkins, proving that the most terrifying monsters usually come from one’s history.
