Filmmaker Osgood Perkins is known for pushing boundaries in his films, and “The Monkey,” his latest adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, is no exception. Perkins has always believed that a director should be fearless when it comes to storytelling, refusing to hold back on the gore and violence.
“I don’t think you can worry about offending an audience or honoring them too closely,” Perkins says. “There’s no pandering going on. There’s no timid storytelling. You have to have the guts to execute it.”
Perkins’ own personal experiences with loss have influenced his approach to death in his films. His father, Anthony Perkins, died from AIDS-related illness when Osgood was young, and his mother, Berry Berenson, died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“It’s given me a perspective – and humor – that is evident in my film,” Perkins admits. “I’m writing from an autobiographical place, and I think that if I had written this movie when I was 29, it would have been pretty sad. But now that I’m 51, it’s a pretty funny movie.”
Perkins’ breakthrough came with his 2015 debut “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” which carved out an admirable niche for him in the horror genre. However, it was 2024’s “Longlegs” that truly put him on the map, grossing over $125 million worldwide on a $9 million budget.
“It’s changed everything and nothing,” Perkins says of his success with “Longlegs.” “It’s made me realize that I don’t need a bigger budget to make better films. Practice makes perfect.”
Perkins’ approach to filmmaking is all about personalizing stories and making them honest. He believes that when a director can tap into their own experiences and emotions, it translates onto the screen.
“For me, the secret to getting anything right at all times is going to be personalizing it, making it about something that you know,” Perkins says. “Then it feels like it’s worth something. Then it feels like it’s honest.”
With “The Monkey,” Perkins has once again proven himself as a fearless and innovative filmmaker, refusing to hold back on the gore and violence in his film. His commitment to personalizing stories and making them honest is evident throughout the movie, and fans of horror will be eager to see what he does next.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/features/osgood-perkins-the-monkey-blood-guts-1236314292