If the villain in Final Destination was a toy monkey...
Words: Careese Hutchinson
I deliberately avoided spoilers and doing any research on The Monkey before watching. As a devoted horror fan—and, of course, a fan of Osgood Perkins (who isn’t?)—I was immediately drawn to the premise of a menacing monkey and all of the mystery surrounding it. This made the viewing experience all the more thrilling. Walking into the dimly lit, ominous screening, we expected jump scares, brutal kills, and bone-chilling horror. Instead, we found ourselves grimacing, laughing, exchanging amused glances, and, most of all, having fun.
The Monkey delivers a surprisingly mixed experience. While it follows a classic horror setup, a cursed, sinister toy that wreaks havoc, it leans more into campy, over-the-top storytelling rather than genuinely terrifying moments.
The film follows two brothers (both played by Theo James) who, after discovering their childhood toy monkey again, soon realise it’s linked to a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths. The story unfolds with a blend of supernatural horror and psychological tension, attempting to balance frights with emotional depth. Unfortunately, this balance is where the film struggles.
Osgood Perkins' direction is undeniably stylish, and there are moments of true tension. Some sequences are beautifully shot, with the use of shadows and sound design amplifying the unease. The monkey itself is an effectively creepy presence, with its unnerving claps signalling incoming doom. However, the film often undercuts its own horror with awkward pacing, uneven performances, and moments that feel unintentionally comedic.
some scenes feel more like a parody of horror than an earnest attempt at it...
The cast gives an admirable effort, with the lead actors portraying the trauma and tension between the brothers well. However, some of the side characters fall into stereotypical horror tropes, making their fates predictable. The dialogue occasionally veers into cliché, and some scenes feel more like a parody of horror than an earnest attempt at it.
Perhaps the biggest drawback is the film’s inability to maintain a consistent tone. While it starts off strong with a sense of dread, it gradually devolves into a mix of unintentional humour and campy absurdity. By the time the climax rolls around, it’s hard to tell if the film is attempting to be scary or simply embracing its own ridiculousness.
Regardless, The Monkey has its appealing qualities. Horror enthusiasts who enjoy a mix of frights and humour may find it entertaining in a B-movie style. It's the type of film that works best with an audience eager to laugh at its ridiculousness rather than take it too seriously. While it may not live up to its horrific promise, it does make an impression—whether for the right or wrong reasons.
The Monkey is showing now at Nottingham's Broadway Cinema.
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