The Monkey is a 2025 American black comedy horror film written and directed by Osgood Perkins, based on Stephen King’s 1980 short story of the same name. The film stars Theo James in dual roles as twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, alongside Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood.
Plot Overview
The narrative follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, who, as children, discover their father’s old cymbal-banging monkey toy in the attic. Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly innocuous toy is cursed, triggering a series of horrific and bizarre deaths whenever it plays its cymbals. The family is torn apart by these tragedies, leading the brothers to dispose of the monkey. Years later, as adults, the monkey resurfaces, reigniting the deadly curse and forcing the brothers to confront their dark past. ​
Cast and Performances
- Theo James portrays both Hal and Bill Shelburn, delivering nuanced performances that distinguish the contrasting personalities of the twin brothers.​
- Tatiana Maslany plays Lois Shelburn, the twins’ mother, adding emotional depth to the family’s tragic saga
- Christian Convery and Colin O’Brien appear as the younger versions of Hal and Bill, effectively capturing the innocence and subsequent trauma of the characters’ early experiences.​
- The supporting cast includes Adam Scott as Petey Shelburn Sr., the twins’ absent father, and Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman, the new husband of Hal’s ex-wife.
Critical Reception
The Monkey received generally positive reviews from critics. IGN praised it as “a bang on Stephen King adaptation,” highlighting its effective blend of horror and dark comedy. Screen Rant noted the film’s creative horror sequences, stating, “I’ve never seen so many effectively creative…”. However, Vulture offered a more mixed review, commenting that while the film had “good kills,” it lacked depth.
Box Office and Availability
The film was released theatrically in the United States on February 21, 2025, by Neon, and grossed $63.5 million worldwide against a budget of $10–11 million. As of April 4, 2025, The Monkey became available for digital purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and YouTube. A Blu-ray release is scheduled for June 24, 2025. The film is expected to stream on Hulu, potentially by June 2025, although this is subject to change based on streaming agreements.
Trailer
For a glimpse into the film’s eerie atmosphere, you can watch the official redband trailer below:
