Osgood Perkins’ movies have always left me cold. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but be curious when I learned he was making a big screen version of the Stephen King short story, The Monkey. The tale had already been (unofficially) adapted as notoriously shitty The Devil’s Gift, so even with Perkins at the helm, it had to be an upgrade from that flick. The good news is The Monkey is a lot of fun. Unlike Perkins’ previous efforts, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a dark sense of humor that’s often very funny. Plus, it’s gory as all get out which is always welcome.
Twin brothers Hal and Bill (Christian Convery) find a wind-up monkey in their dad’s closet and soon learn whenever it beats its drum, someone dies. They quickly decide to get rid of it and throw it down a well. Twenty-five years later, they grow up to be played by Theo James. When a rash of ghoulish accidents plague their hometown, Hal returns to find Bill has been using the monkey to kill people.
James is solid in the lead, but it’s the supporting cast who steal the show. Adam Scott is funny as the father seen in flashback who frantically tries to get rid of the monkey. Tatiana Maslany is also funny as the boys’ mother, Elijah Wood hams it up as a self-help guru, and Perkins himself gets some laughs as the boys’ creepy uncle.
The death scenes have a Final Destination kind of vibe as they involve mishaps with a speargun, a hibachi chef, a gas stove, a swimming pool, a shotgun, a vape, and a hornets’ nest. Guts are torn out, heads are lopped off, faces are set on fire, and bodies explode. You know, the good shit. There are also some funny scenes peppered along the way like a young priest giving a thoroughly awful eulogy.
In short, The Monkey is gory, goofy fun from start to finish. It’s easily Perkins’ best film by a country mile. If he can turn out another banger like this one, I’d consider myself a fan.
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