The Monkey Trailer Unleashes Stephen King’s Deadly Toy in Blood-Soaked Horror-Comedy
Stephen King’s killer toy returns in this darkly hilarious adaptation, backed by horror legends James Wan and Osgood Perkins. “The Monkey” hits theaters February 21, 2025.
A drum-playing monkey toy is the harbinger of death in The Monkey, a new horror-comedy adapted from Stephen King’s 1980 short story. Directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs, The Blackcoat’s Daughter) and produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, the R-rated film combines splatterhouse gore with unexpected heart. The official trailer, released by Neon, previews the cursed chaos that follows a pair of haunted twins.
The Monkey stars Theo James in a dual role as adult Hal and Bill Shelburn, estranged brothers drawn back together after their father’s old toy mysteriously resurfaces. As children, the monkey’s rhythmic drumming preceded a string of grisly deaths. Now, 25 years later, the cycle resumes, igniting heads, seeping blood, and even flinging spearguns across rooms with cartoonish brutality.
Osgood Perkins puts a twisted spin on King’s original cymbal-clashing primate by replacing it with a drumming version. Perkins describes the tone as “very extreme but very funny,” citing inspirations like Gremlins, Creepshow, and Looney Tunes. His signature blend of tension and dark whimsy gives The Monkey a distinct edge in a crowded horror landscape.
The supporting cast includes Tatiana Maslany as the twins’ mother, Adam Scott as their absent father, and Elijah Wood as the quirky new partner of Hal’s ex-wife. Christian Convery plays the young versions of the brothers, while Colin O’Brien takes on the role of Hal’s son Petey, whose attempt to return the monkey kicks off a gruesome chain of events.
Though based on King’s original tale from Skeleton Crew, the film takes liberties with plot and tone, aiming for a mix of horror and emotional redemption. In the video titled “The Monkey – Official Trailer”, viewers catch glimpses of decapitations, scorpions in coffee, and even a monkey-induced babysitter accident, signals of Perkins’ unhinged vision.
The film was shot in Vancouver over a six-week period in early 2024, with a modest budget of $10–11 million. Despite that, it has grossed nearly $69 million globally, affirming its success as both cult horror and crowd-pleaser. Neon will distribute the movie in the U.S.
Whether you’re a King loyalist, a Wan fan, or new to the story, The Monkey promises a ride that’s bloody, bonkers, and weirdly heartfelt. Just don’t wind up the toy.
