‘The Monkey’: not your usual King adaptation

BY CAROLINE CRAIN

News Editor

When I went to the movie theater to watch a romance film on Valentine’s Day, I arrived on time and had to sit through the inevitable 20 minutes of Cinemark ads. One particular preview featured the most cringe-worthy and cliche storyline I could imagine. The acting seemed mediocre at best, and my first impression was laughable.

When the screen faded to the “reveal,” I was shocked to see that it was based on a short story by Stephen King, notorious for hit horror film adaptations.

My interest peaked. Of course I had to go see it.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Directed by Osgood Perkins, "The Monkey" begins with a familiar horror trope: a frantic scene of foreshadowing. A blood-soaked man attempts to return a sinister toy monkey to a knick-knack shop, warning the unfazed shopkeeper of its dangers. The shopkeeper's subsequent demise sets a violent, yet oddly humorous, tone for the film, especially when the customer exclaims, "Hot dog!" after the incident.

The narrative centers on twin brothers, Hal and Bill Shelburn, portrayed by Theo James. They discover the malevolent monkey among their estranged father's belongings, and soon, a series of deaths occur, profoundly impacting their lives. 

The film oscillates between cringe-worthy moments and dark humor, particularly evident during the eulogy at the first funeral. This blend of discomfort and comedy eventually becomes an integral part of the movie's charm.

Perkins employs running gags, abrupt jump cuts and inventive cinematography to keep viewers both unsettled and entertained. While the film is laden with gore, it doesn't rely heavily on jump scares. 

There is one notable exception that elicited a genuine scream from an audience member during my viewing. I think it’s important to note that this was the only instance where the theater reacted audibly to a scare, but I’ll let you see the movie for yourself to figure out which scene it is.

The plot features two significant twists: one mid-film that adds depth and perspective and an ending climactic twist that, in my opinion, undermines the preceding character development. 

After heartfelt and heartbreaking moments, the movie left me questioning the purpose of the emotional journey.

Overall, "The Monkey" is a gory, sentimental and unexpectedly goofy film. While it may not hold a candle to other King adaptations like "The Shining" or "It," it is certainly worth a watch for those interested in a unique horror-comedy experience.

I was curious about how true to the text “The Monkey” was, so I took the liberty to read the original 1980 short story as well. I found that while the film retains the core concept of a cursed toy monkey, its main characters and a goofy, offbeat tone, it takes considerable creative liberties — reinforcing why it’s labeled as “inspired by” rather than a direct adaptation of King’s work.

Notably, in the original story, Hal is a well-off family man, while Bill is a lawyer in another city, far from being consumed by rage and revenge. The film, however, reimagines Hal as a struggling convenience store worker with a fractured relationship with his son and Bill as a man trapped by bitterness. These changes shift the story’s emotional core, making it less about surviving a curse and more about unresolved familial wounds.

In terms of reception, "The Monkey" has garnered mixed reviews. The Atlantic describes it as a "dark horror-comedy that explores the inevitability of death with gory humor," praising its balance between horror and comedy.

Conversely, the New York Post criticizes the film for failing to generate suspense or comedic relief, labeling it a "poor man's ‘Chucky.'" These varied critiques suggest that the film's unique tone and approach may resonate differently with audiences.

At the box office, "The Monkey" debuted with $14.2 million, marking distributor Neon's second-best opening. This performance indicates a modest commercial success, reflecting both interest and divisiveness among viewers.

In conclusion, while "The Monkey" may not achieve the acclaim of some other Stephen King adaptations, its blend of horror and humor offers a fresh take on the genre. Whether you're a die-hard King fan or simply in search of an unconventional film experience, "The Monkey" is worth considering.

My expectations were exceeded, and maybe yours will be, too.