The Monkey Film: Everything we know so far About Stephen King’s Terrifying Adaptation
The latest buzz in the horror world revolves around The Monkey, the chilling Stephen King adaptation that’s already building serious anticipation. Recently, the film dropped its first redband trailer, and it doesn’t hold back. From blood-soaked gore to terrifying visuals, it’s clear this will be a thriller that’s not for the faint of heart.
The trailer also reveals a deeper look into the twins’ quest to face the cursed toy once again, intensifying the horror fans have been craving. This film, produced by horror legend James Wan and directed by Osgood Perkins, is already generating a ton of excitement. Fans of both the genre and Stephen King’s work are eager to see how this chilling short story translates to the big screen.
So, what can we expect from this highly anticipated release? Get ready to dive into every thrilling detail about the film, from its blood-curdling scares to the unique story that sets it apart from other King adaptations. Stay tuned, because this is one horror movie you won’t want to miss—more updates are on the way!
Release date & Where to Watch
The Monkey is set to hit theaters on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, with an R rating for intense bloody violence, gore, strong language, and some sexual references. Before its official release, the film had an early screening at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in January as part of Beyond Fest.
What is the plot of The Monkey?
The Monkey follows twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who, as children, discover a sinister cymbal-playing toy monkey in their father's attic. After a series of unexplained deaths occur around them each time the monkey clinks its cymbals, the brothers attempt to destroy it. They sever its limbs and throw it down a well, believing they've rid themselves of the cursed toy.
However, the toy's dark influence returns when it is rediscovered years later, leading to even more gruesome deaths. As the supernatural killings intensify, the brothers, now adults, must reunite to stop the toy’s malevolent grip once and for all.
The film's plot mirrors Stephen King's original short story, which taps into the unsettling nature of the toy, heightening the tension with a simple yet terrifying premise: the toy's curse only activates when it plays its chilling cymbal rhythm. What follows is a psychological and supernatural battle, as Hal and Bill confront the deepening chaos caused by the monkey, all while grappling with their fractured relationship.
In typical Stephen King fashion, The Monkey is not just about the supernatural object itself but also explores the deeper interpersonal struggles between the brothers. The toy's eerie presence serves as a catalyst for their emotional and psychological turmoil, as they must confront both the past and the terrifying reality of what they thought they'd left behind.
The film will blend supernatural horror with family drama, much like King’s earlier works, creating a story where the true terror lies not just in the toy, but in the fractured bond between Hal and Bill.
Who’s Starring in The Monkey?
- Theo James (The Gentlemen, The White Lotus) as Hal & Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) as Young Hal & Bill
- Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Orphan Black) as Lois Shelburn
- Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) as Ted Hammerman
- Colin O'Brien (Wonka) as Petey
- Laura Mennell (Project Blue Book) as Petey's Mom
- Rohan Campbell (The Hardy Boys) as Ricky
- Sarah Levy (Schitt's Creek) as Ida
- Nicco Del Rio as a pastor
- Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Oz Perkins as Chip
- Osgood Perkins as Uncle Chip
- Tess Degenstein as Barbara
- Danica Dreyer as Babysitter Annie
- Beatrix Perkins as Florence
- Kingston Chan as Lt. Pepper
- Zia Newton as Dwayne
- Shafin Karim as Pawn Shop Owner
- Lumen Beltran as Police Officer
- Janet Kidder as Thrasher's Mom
Is There a Trailer for The Monkey?
In the official redband trailer for The Monkey, viewers are introduced to twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn. The trailer opens with a flashback to their childhood, where they discover a sinister toy monkey in their father's attic. The brothers' attempt to destroy the toy is unsuccessful, setting the stage for the horror that ensues.
As the narrative unfolds, the trailer showcases a series of gruesome and inventive deaths linked to the cursed monkey. One particularly chilling scene features the toy playing a snare drum, its rhythmic beats underscored by distorted carnival music, heightening the sense of impending doom. The camera work is symmetrical, creating a stark contrast with the chaos and madness that the characters experience.
The trailer also highlights the film's dark humor and unique style. Director Osgood Perkins brings a wry, absurdist comedy to the horror genre, as evidenced by the tagline, "Everybody dies. And that's life." This blend of horror and humor sets The Monkey apart, promising a fresh take on the genre.
For a visual glimpse into the film's tone and style, you can watch the official redband trailer here:
A teaser trailer for The Monkey dropped in August 2024, intensifying the anticipation for this Stephen King adaptation. In just 44 seconds, it features the eerie drumming monkey, its unsettling presence amplified by distorted carnival music. The teaser ends with a chilling moment, as Theo James' character, Hall or Bill, removes his glasses in shock, drenched in blood.
Following the release of the first teaser, which offered a few eerie clues, a full-length redband teaser for The Monkey arrived in October 2024. Set to an upbeat rhythm, the teaser showcases a series of gruesome deaths, all wrapped in blood and dark humor. It also highlights director Osgood Perkins' distinctive style, with his symmetrical camerawork creating a stark contrast to the chaotic world on screen.
Production & Filming
Filming took place in Vancouver from February 5 to March 22, 2024.
Behind the Scenes
Based on a short story by Stephen King, The Monkey is an exhilarating ride directed by Osgood Perkins. Produced by horror icon James Wan, best known for The Conjuring and Saw, the film introduces a unique and darkly comedic twist to the classic haunted toy genre.
Initially developed at Fox Searchlight, The Monkey was picked up by Black Bear Pictures in 2023, with Perkins at the helm as both writer and director. The movie comes with a budget of $10-11 million.
Perkins emphasized the importance of humor, explaining, “It’s deliberately comedic. It’s feeling more like an old John Landis movie or a Joe Dante movie or a Robert Zemeckis movie.” (via The Hollywood Reporter)
He noted that, while it explores the theme of death, the film approaches it with a tragicomic voice, offering audiences a mix of humor, gore, and heartwarming moments.
With a tagline like “Everybody dies. And that’s messed up,” it’s clear The Monkey will bring something uniquely bizarre and funny to the horror genre. Early reactions have been positive, drawing comparisons to Gremlins and Creepshow, and Stephen King himself praised it, saying, “You’ve never seen anything like THE MONKEY. It’s batshit ins**e." (via Threads)
The movie carries an R rating, with Perkins describing the bloody violence as exaggerated for comedic effect. “If you’re going for comedy then you’re going for extremes,” he explained to the Empire, noting that the violence in the film is intentionally over-the-top.
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