The Monkey Review: One of the Most Rewatchable Horror Films in Years!
Horror is a genre that possesses a committed fanbase, even if it is constantly being overlooked by the film academy as prestigious cinema. It is rare to see a driving force in the making as it is happening rather than years down the road, especially in a genre that fails to recognize its filmmakers as some of “the greats.” Osgood Perkins made his first directorial and writing deut with The Blackcoat’s Daughter ten years ago, following it with Gretel & Hansel, and Longlegs (all fantastic films). Osgood Perkins’ name is now being used to market his films in a way that we have only seen happen with one other modern horror filmmaker, Jordan Peele.
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To be watching Perkins in real time begin to reach a high leveled status in his respective work, although quick, has been a pleasure to behold. His newest film The Monkey, based on a short story written by Stephen King, is a departure from the tone of Longlegs, featuring a more humorous tone to accompany its gruesome visuals.Showing his range in the genre just through two of his most recent films. Osgood Perkins has proven his immense talent in both original and adapted screenplays.
Hal and Bill Shelburn (Theo James) are identical twins that couldn’t be more different. Bill glides through the halls with his “cool guy” demeanor, having his classmate puppets terrorize Hal. Regardless of their differences, they both find curiosity in the identity of their absent father, whose things remain in the house in a closet that their mother Lois (Tatiana Maslany) has sworn off touching. When Hal and Bill go through his belongings they find a “toy” monkey with a drum that winds up from the back.
It isn’t until they experiment with the monkey that they realize it’s sinister powers, which leads them to years of fear, separation, and impending death. Using a toy to be the catalyst for demonic entities to wreak havoc on people’s lives, is a classic horror convention. However, Oz Perkins sees the obvious humor in a toy monkey being the devil incarnate, thus developing a film that uses graphic kill sequences with a balance of comedy to create an end product of cinematic gold for critics with immense audience approval.
The Monkey (2025)
dir. Osgood Perkins pic.twitter.com/Nj0CCFEGfa
— Stephen Gibbons (@Gibboanxious) March 1, 2025
Horror-comedies have always had difficulty working because the comedy is typically based on how graphic and outrageous people are murdered and character’s reactions to seeing their friends and family ripped apart. Where this shtick gets stale quickly, Perkins understands the humor in the dysfunction of families everywhere and, with the help of casting directors Rich Delia and Errin Lally, was able to cast performers with the ability to deliver dialogue that enhances his writing. The dynamic between twins Hal and Bill at a young age and as older men was fantastically portrayed by Christian Convery and Theo James as they both play two simultaneous roles.
The Monkey is one of the most entertaining horror films in recent years and brings its audience on a hellish trip through a small town. It does an excellent job of building suspense every time the monkey is wound up, never revealing too early who will reach their demise and how soon after it hits the last drum chaos will ensue. Theo James proves his star talent as both charming and charismatic as well as outrageous all wrapped up into one film.
Playing an absent father in his son Petey’s life, Oz Perkins is able to capture the double edged sword that is fatherhood. Where Hal’s distance from his son results from wanting to protect him from the “family curse” of the monkey’s wrath, it also prevents him from being a prominent father figure in Petey’s life. Perkins shows that men’s fears of failing their own child because of a lack of a father figure in their own lives and passing down this trauma is no match for running away completely. Where one side has a potential to fail as a father, at least giving it a shot is always better than dissociating completely.
The Monkey from ‘THE MONKEY’ goes on a drive around Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/P4DgxVhgRP
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) February 27, 2025
The Monkey is one of those films that can be immensely enjoyed for its chaos and performances while also possessing a worthwhile subtext on fatherhood and familial trauma. Hal and Bill’s relationship as children was broken while their relationship as adults remained heavily strained if not nonexistent. This created tension that was never eased after years and years, resulting in the continuation of the monkey’s existence and powers. Perkins, already having shown his insight on motherhood in Longlegs, takes on fatherhood in The Monkey, specifically on the pain and destruction that continues when familial issues remain unsolved across decades.
He also uses the monkey as a recurring motif for men finding it easier to run away from problems and leave them in the past rather than face them head on and learn to work with obstacles. Oz Perkins possesses an innate ability to create psychological and physical horror while dealing with the most human fears of all. The Monkey is one of the most rewatchable horror films in years and will make its rounds yearly as a must watch.
‘The Monkey’ Rating – 4/5
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