Let’s talk about The Monkey, the latest horror to swing onto the scene, from Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) and adapted from a spine-tingling Stephen King short story. And if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, horror maestro James Wan of The Conjuring fame is on board as a producer, so you know there’s some serious spooky pedigree behind this thing.
The Monkey spins a seriously unsettling yarn about a cursed wind-up monkey that unleashes a whole lot of gruesome deaths. When twin brothers stumble upon this mysterious toy, their lives are instantly thrown into a whirlwind of inexplicable and violent events. They believe it’s gone forever after disposing of it. Fast forward twenty-five years, and guess who decides to make a terrifying comeback? That’s right, the creepy cymbal-clanging harbinger of doom. It kicks off a brand-new killing spree that forces the now-adult brothers to confront the dark forces that tore their lives apart all those years ago.
With all the hype surrounding this flick, I’ll be honest, I was a little worried it might not live up to the buzz. And honestly, I was concerned about reviewing it for that reason. But boy, was I pleasantly surprised! This movie dives headfirst into the gore, and I mean headfirst. We’re talking a brutal kill within the first three minutes – it’s a statement, to say the least, and the bloodbath doesn’t let up from there. This Monkey is one seriously brutal little dude, racking up a body count with some truly nasty kills. Seriously, even before it started its reign of terror, there’s no way in hell I would have let that creepy thing anywhere near my house.
But The Monkey isn’t just about the gooey red stuff, though there’s a ton of it. It’s about the complex and strained relationship between the twin brothers, Hal and Bill. The two very different individuals played with compelling nuance by Theo James. It also explores the dynamic of a father who keeps his son (Colin O’Brien) at arm’s length, seemingly trying to shield him from danger and the Monkey’s curse. Theo James’ portrait as the two brothers must have been a challenge. However, he rises to the occasion, giving strong performances for both.
Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes (if you’re into the grim and gruesome, that is). The special effects are seriously on point, and the movie is jam-packed, delivering a relentless barrage of action. The kills are inventive and often stomach-churning, from fiery infernos to swarms of unsettling insects. And for a gorehound like myself? I loved it. I’d give it two big thumbs up.
But the real star of the show, in a seriously disturbing way, is the Monkey itself. The way it’s presented is genuinely unsettling. It’s not just a prop; it feels like a character all its own, radiating a palpable sense of malevolence.
So, the big question I should answer in this review: is The Monkey worth your time? The answer is a resounding yes. If you’re looking for a horror movie that delivers on the gore, keeps the action coming, and features a creepy antagonist, then you need to check this out. You can dive into the terrifying world of The Monkey right now on digital and VOD. You can find it on Apple TV, Prime Video, and more.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
