Horror comedy “The Monkey” brings dark humor and nihilistic themes to an adaptation of a Stephen King short story. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film follows Petey (Adam Scott), a pilot who leaves his twin sons with their mother after a gruesome incident involving a toy circus monkey that begets murder. Twenty-five years later, one son, Hal (Theo James), is haunted by a curse, while the other son turns to death in a series of bizarre and gory deaths.
The film’s tone walks a fine line between dark humor and satirical take on father-son relationships and the randomness of death. With Christian Convery playing both sons, the movie relies heavily on the performance of James as older Hal, a character who has become a laughing stock in his town. Perkins’ direction expertly balances the film’s tone, making it work despite some pacing issues.
At its core, “The Monkey” is about the impermanence of life and the hopelessness of death. The film’s nihilistic themes are offset by its dark comedy, which often pokes fun at horror tropes. With its unpredictable gory deaths and farcical tone, “The Monkey” is a unique take on the horror genre.
With Perkins’ direction and James’ standout performance, “The Monkey” delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of father-son relationships and mortality. Rated R for graphic violence, strong language, and suggestive content, “The Monkey” is not for all audiences but will appeal to fans of dark comedy and horror.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/movies/the-monkey-review.html