A month into 2025 and the horror genre is already off to a great start, thanks in part to Companion, a thrilling android film that’s been hailed as one of the best seen this year. Another contender for top honors is The Monkey, a chilling tale that boasts an impressive cast, including Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood.
The film tells the story of twin brothers who discover a mysterious wind-up monkey that sets off a series of gruesome deaths. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins its killing spree once again, forcing the estranged siblings to confront their dark past. The trailer promises a similar tone to Final Destination, with random “accident” deaths caused by the demonic toy.
With an 84% critic score and an audience rating of 85%, The Monkey seems poised for success. Its cast is diverse and talented, and the film’s unique concept has generated significant buzz. One interesting tidbit is that the toy monkey had to be designed to play a snare drum, as the rights to a toy monkey slamming cymbals together are owned by Disney.
The Monkey will hit theaters on February 21, with many experts predicting it could become one of the best-reviewed mainstream horror films of the year. Given its cast and concept, it’s possible that Companion-like quick transition from theatrical release to streaming might occur.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/02/19/the-best-new-horror-movie-of-2025-has-critics-and-audiences-in-agreement