The Monkey

Rating 5/10

Dolls, puppets, and other childhood toys are symbols of innocence. So when they become vessels for evil, there’s something even more terrifying about it. My mind goes to Fats, the ventriloquist dummy from Magic, Chucky from Child’s Play, and Annabelle from The Conjuring. Now we have The Monkey, a wind-up toy that plays the drums. Based on a short story by Stephen King, this was originally published in his 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. However, the film adaptation is dramatically different, embracing a mood that is far more comedic than horrific.

The story follows twin brothers Hal and Bill (Christian Convery as both), who, as children, discover a toy monkey among their father’s possessions. What seems like a harmless novelty hides a dark agenda. Every time the simian plays, someone dies in a gruesome accident. As they try to rid themselves of it, the curse follows them into adulthood.

Now, twenty-five years later, the adult twins (both played by Theo James) are estranged. Bill was always the more aggressive and domineering of the two. He harbors a deep resentment toward Hal, who has remained meek and withdrawn. Their hostile relationship comes to a head when the cursed curio resurfaces. But rather than fear it, Bill seizes it as a weapon. Convinced that Hal is responsible for their mother’s death, Bill embarks on a twisted mission of vengeance, using the plaything’s supernatural power to orchestrate his brother’s demise.

Given the premise, I expected a straightforward horror movie. The account is certainly violent and gory. Yet, it leans more heavily on camp than outright terror. The deaths are graphic, but they unfold with such slapstick absurdity they are more a parody of horror than the real thing. The exaggerated carnage, from implausible accidents to gleeful grotesqueries, means there are no stakes. We don’t fear for the characters but rather chuckle at how ridiculously their fates unfold.

Theo James’ dual performance adds to the tonal disconnect. While he does an admirable job differentiating the brothers, the execution is basic. Merely slapping a pair of glasses on an actor with an athletic build to convey meekness isn’t convincing. That said, James is undeniably entertaining in the two roles. His commitment to the film’s silly energy makes it watchable.

Ultimately, The Monkey is a wild ride. Director Oz Perkins (Longlegs) offers some energetic set pieces to hold our interest. If you’re looking for a frightening experience, you won’t find it here. The over-the-top silliness of the sequences softens the scares. However, for those who enjoy horror with a wink and a nod to the audience, there’s fun to be had—even if it’s just monkeying around in bloodbaths.

02-25-25