Oz Perkins, following the success of Longlegs, delivers another chilling horror adaptation from Stephen King's repertoire: The Monkey. This darkly comedic thriller stars Theo James as a pair of twins tormented by a malevolent cymbal-playing monkey toy. The ensemble cast also includes Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and Adam Scott, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
IGN critic Tom Jorgenson hails The Monkey as a standout horror-comedy and Stephen King adaptation, praising its blend of gruesome violence and laugh-out-loud humor.
Where to Watch The Monkey
The Monkey premiered in theaters on February 21st. Check local listings at Fandango, AMC Theaters, Cinemark Theaters, and Regal Theaters.
Streaming Release:
Unlike many films, The Monkey, distributed by Neon, will eventually stream exclusively on Hulu. Neon's previous releases have taken approximately seven months to reach the platform (e.g., Longlegs debuted in theaters on July 12, 2024, and streamed on Hulu February 14, 2025). Expect a similar timeframe for The Monkey. Digital rentals and purchases may be available via Prime Video by early May.
Synopsis:
Based on King's 1980 short story (revised in the 1985 Skeleton Crew collection), The Monkey follows twin brothers who unearth a cursed wind-up monkey, triggering a series of horrifying deaths within their family. Years later, the monkey's murderous spree resumes, forcing the estranged siblings to confront their demonic plaything.
Post-Credits Scene:
While lacking a traditional post-credits scene, The Monkey offers a surprising coda worth sticking around for. (Consult IGN's ending guide for details, but beware of spoilers!)
Cast:
- Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
- Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
- Colin O'Brien as Petey
- Rohan Campbell as Ricky
- Sarah Levy as Ida
- Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
- Osgood Perkins as Chip
- Danica Dreyer as Annie Wilkes
- Laura Mennell as Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother
- Nicco Del Rio as Rookie Priest
Rating and Runtime:
Rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, pervasive language, and some sexual references. Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes.
