The Monkey is the latest James Wan-produced horror picture that promises to be “insane” and “jaw-dropping” – but it isn’t much of either.
Based on a Stephen King 1980 short story of the same name, The Monkey follows Hal Shelburn (Theo James) who regales viewers with his terrifying history involving a wind-up toy monkey that seems to murder the people around it.
Hal and his twin brother Bill (also James) witness the creature’s powers first-hand multiple times throughout childhood, and now, inexplicably, it’s back. But is it a cursed object, or is something more sinister going on?
Osgood Perkins wrote and directed the picture in his first follow-up since the spectacular Longlegs, and, unfortunately, The Monkey pales in comparison.
The movie’s biggest offence is that it leans on dark comedy jabs instead of spending time on anything scary, jumpy, gory or any kind of coherent plot.
Innocent bystanders are supposedly murdered by this malevolent monkey in hilarious ways throughout the adventure.
The film opens with a hugely cinematic and memorable sequence involving Adam Scott and a harpoon before a woman sets her face on fire later down the line.
The kills and deaths are truly where the meat of The Monkey lies; if you aren’t interested in seeing odd people die in spectacularly weird ways, you’ll find nothing of note in the movie.
Up to the last second of The Monkey’s runtime, one last Final Destination-like kill sets off the credits with a guttural, instinctive howl of laughter. But once the shock value has dissipated, you likely won’t find much left in The Monkey.
Beneath The Monkey’s flaccid plot, though, there are hints of interesting themes. Sins of the father, generational trauma, hatred, holding grudges, family ties – it’s all touched upon in a way that could have been delved into further.
And horror buffs will likely dissect some scenes in the coming months to really unearth The Monkey’s true subtext – they might find all sorts of incredible nods, touches and interpretations, too. In the end, however, on its surface, it’s very shallow.
Aside from the fantastic practical effects, The Monkey is saved by Theo James.
The British star is simply fantastic as twins Hal and Bill Shelburn. The actor has been having his own moment over the past few years, and now he’s extended his talents to both horror and comedy in one explosive arrival.
While playing the twins James embodies distinctive personas. As Hal, he jitters and nervously cleans his glasses through awkward conversations while sweating with fear. As Bill, he exudes the erratic, deranged, loose cannon who one wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.
And although the script never gives him any “funny” material to work with, his no-sell, deadpan deliveries are hilarious at the right times.
On top of that, The Monkey oozes Stephen King. Some of his tropes are ever-present across the picture, and while their familiarity emboldens the movie, it doesn’t make it any more interesting. but doesn’t quite work as a feature film – not in this narrative, anyway.
The Monkey is stylish, well-acted and at times very funny. While its dark and twisted lore seems interesting at first, it amounts to nothing, and, by the time credits rolled, I no longer cared.
The Monkey hits cinemas on Friday, February 21, 2025.
