The Monkey (2025) – Full Movie Review | Directed by Osgood Perkins
The Monkey (2025) – Full Movie Review | Directed by Osgood Perkins
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| Theatrical Release Poster |
Quick Information
Title: The Monkey
Director: Osgood Perkins
Based on: The short story "The Monkey" by Stephen King (1980)
Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Dark Comedy
Runtime: Approx. 1h 45min
Release Year: 2025
Production Company: Atomic Monster (James Wan)
Screenplay: Osgood Perkins
Box Office: Over $68 million worldwide
Budget: Approx. $11 million
Main Cast:- Theo James as Hal Shelburn (Adult)
- Christian Convery as Young Hal Shelburn
- Colin O’Brien as Young Bill Shelburn
- Tatiana Maslany as Wife of Hal
- Adam Scott and Elijah Wood in supporting roles
Plot Summary
The Monkey tells the chilling story of twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, who discover a creepy mechanical monkey in their attic after their father’s death. The monkey appears harmless at first—an old toy that claps its tiny cymbals when wound up. But it quickly becomes clear the monkey is no ordinary toy. Every time it claps, someone nearby dies—gruesomely, randomly, and without explanation.
As boys, Hal and Bill try to destroy the monkey but fail. The deaths around them become more disturbing, and fear begins to take over their childhood. As adults, the trauma still haunts them. Hal, now a father, must protect his family when the monkey resurfaces and begins its deadly cycle once more.
Detailed Story Breakdown
The film moves between two timelines: the 1990s and the present day. The flashbacks show the slow psychological unraveling of the Shelburn twins as children, constantly dealing with mysterious and violent deaths in their community. The adult storyline follows Hal as he faces the return of the monkey while trying to hold his family together.
The climax builds as Hal attempts to understand the true origin of the monkey and stop it for good. But the movie leaves some elements ambiguous, focusing instead on the theme of generational trauma and the helplessness we feel in the face of death.
Cast & Character Performances
Theo James gives a grounded and emotional performance as adult Hal Shelburn. He captures both the fear and desperation of someone trying to escape their past.
Christian Convery and Colin O’Brien shine as young Hal and Bill. Their chemistry as brothers helps create the emotional backbone of the film.
Tatiana Maslany, although in a supporting role, adds depth as Hal’s wife. She brings warmth and strength to her character, providing a contrast to the escalating horror.
Adam Scott and Elijah Wood appear in quirky, brief roles, giving the film moments of bizarre levity that support the darkly comic tone.
Director's Vision & Tonal Style
Osgood Perkins delivers a horror movie that is not traditionally scary but deeply unsettling. He blends:
- Psychological dread
- Supernatural mystery
- Dark humor
- Grisly but stylized deaths
The film's tone walks a fine line between absurdity and terror. It’s not about jump scares; it's about how deeply disturbing a seemingly innocent object can become.
Cinematography & Music
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Cinematographer: Nico Aguilar
Uses dim lighting, grainy textures, and tight framing to enhance the claustrophobia. -
Score: Edo Van Breemen
The music is minimal and eerie, with whimsical tones when the monkey appears, contrasting with the horror that follows.
Themes & Symbolism
- Trauma & Memory: The monkey becomes a metaphor for traumatic childhood memories that continue to affect the adult characters.
- Loss of Innocence: The twin boys go from being playful and curious to withdrawn and fearful.
- The Randomness of Death: The unpredictability of the deaths creates existential anxiety.
- Fate vs. Control: The characters struggle with their lack of power over the monkey’s influence.
- Family Curses: The monkey symbolizes a passed-down curse that cannot be outrun.
Facts About The Monkey (2025)
- The mechanical monkey used in the film was built using real vintage components and fully functional gears.
- The film was shot in under 35 days on a tight budget but used practical effects for most death scenes.
- A major subplot involving the twins’ father and a mysterious cult was shot but later removed to keep the story focused.
- Stephen King approved the screenplay but requested the tone shift slightly toward dark humor, which hadn’t been explored in the original short story.
- The monkey’s clapping sound was created using a combination of wind-up toy recordings and actual cymbal crashes layered in post-production.
- Theo James reportedly stayed in character throughout filming, especially during emotionally intense scenes.
- A teaser trailer went viral months before the film’s release due to the creepy, retro design of the toy monkey.
Deleted Scenes & Unused Concepts
- Carnival Death Scene: A longer, elaborate sequence at a carnival was cut to maintain pacing.
- Extended Origin: Flashbacks explaining the monkey’s supernatural origins were removed, leaving its history ambiguous.
- Twin Separation Arc: In earlier drafts, Hal and Bill were separated as teens, which was later rewritten to keep them emotionally close.
- Alternate Ending: The original ending showed the monkey being buried in a sealed cave. The final cut opts for a more open-ended finale.
Critical Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
- Metacritic: 68
- IMDb: 6.9/10
Critics were divided:
Positive Reviews:
- Unique blend of horror and dark comedy
- Outstanding performances, especially from Theo James
- Visually eerie with an emotionally rich story
Negative Reviews:
- Tonal inconsistency
- Some viewers didn’t appreciate the comedy mixed with horror
- Unexplained backstory frustrated fans of Stephen King's original
Comparison with Stephen King's Short Story
Stephen King's original story is much more grounded in psychological horror. It focuses more on the paranoia and slow unraveling of sanity in one character, Hal.
Major Differences in the Movie:
- Adds more characters, especially the role of Bill (Hal's twin)
- Introduces comedic elements absent in the story
- Expands the timeline to include both childhood and adulthood
- Includes more stylized, graphic deaths
The adaptation takes creative liberties but maintains the essence of the original: the terror of being followed by an unstoppable force.
Final Verdict
The Monkey (2025) is a strange, bold, and haunting film that won’t appeal to all horror fans. But for those who enjoy psychological dread with a twist of absurdity, it’s a must-watch.
Osgood Perkins continues his trend of slow-burn horror, and with a stellar cast, smart production design, and a creepy toy you’ll never forget, The Monkey is one of the most unique Stephen King adaptations to date.
Verdict Score: 8.5/10
A bold horror tale that mixes laughs and chills—sometimes in the same scene.
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