Director Osgood Perkins is taking a wild departure from the suspenseful tone of Longlegs with his latest film, The Monkey, a horror-comedy that promises to be as outrageous as it is gory. Following its release of a bloody Red Band trailer today, the film is set to hit theaters on February 21, 2025, under the banner of NEON.
Adapted from Stephen King’s short story of the same title, The Monkey is a disturbing and darkly humorous take on a cursed toy that brings death to all who encounter it. The film’s new poster promises viewers an experience that is both “outrageously gory” and “thoroughly gratuitous,” featuring an assortment of bizarre instruments of death, including a harpoon gun, a bowling ball, a shotgun, a hibachi knife, a lawnmower, and even a stampede of wild horses. With an “R” rating in place, Perkins appears to have embraced the freedom to go as dark and violent as possible, offering a full-throttle, blood-soaked thrill ride.
Produced by James Wan and distributed by NEON, The Monkey has officially been rated “R” for “Strong bloody violent content, gore, language throughout, and some sexual references,” setting the tone for what is expected to be a relentlessly intense horror film.
The plot of The Monkey follows twin brothers who discover a mysterious wind-up monkey. The toy soon becomes the catalyst for a series of gruesome deaths that tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey resurfaces, embarking on a new killing spree that forces the estranged brothers to confront the curse that haunts them.
The film is based on King’s short story from his Skeleton Crew collection, originally published in 1985, which also featured other chilling tales like The Mist, The Jaunt, The Raft, Survivor Type, and The Reach.
Starring in the film are Theo James (The White Lotus), Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Elijah Wood (Maniac), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth), Colin O’Brien (Wonka), Rohan Campbell (Halloween Ends), and Sarah Levy (Schitt’s Creek). With its mix of horror, dark humor, and shocking violence, The Monkey is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Related topic:
Lawsuit Claims Disney Stole Ideas for “Moana” and Sequel
Nakajima Tetsuya’s ‘Confession’: Poster and Cast Details
Jason Momoa in Talks for Lobo Role in DCU, Set for 2026 Supergirl