As the anticipation for Stephen King’s film The Monkey builds, horror enthusiasts are reminded of the unique terror that primates can evoke. While bats, rats, and snakes have long held the spotlight in the horror genre, it’s the seemingly innocent monkey that has terrified audiences in profound and unexpected ways. With the movie slated for release on February 21, we explore ten of the most terrifying monkey-related films that are perfect for a thrilling marathon before Stephen King’s latest adaptation hits theaters.
Though King Kong is celebrated as a giant in horror cinema, it’s the lesser-known characters and narratives that often leave a lasting impression. Among these is Peter Jackson’s 1992 cult classic Dead Alive, which intertwines the grotesque with dark humor. The film opens ominously with a creature known as the Sumatran rat-monkey, an unusual mix of cartoonish charm and pure horror. This monstrous being is captured and sold to a zoo, leading to a series of catastrophic events as it infects an unsuspecting old woman, morphing her into a zombie. Despite its rocky start as a box office failure, Dead Alive garnered a cult following thanks to its creative gore effects and the unforgettable chaos brought on by its rodent-monkey hybrid from Skull Island, a location that Jackson would revisit in his iconic King Kong remake.
Another chilling cinematic endeavor is The Omen, where a young boy bears the burden of being the Antichrist. In a stand-out scene that diverges from the film’s primary horror, a troop of baboons attacks the Thorn family during a zoo visit, spurred by the boy’s sinister presence. This harrowing encounter creates one of the most memorable moments in the film, showcasing the unpredictable fury of nature. Director Richard Donner revealed that the trained baboons’ realism stemmed from their instinctual behavior to protect their young, making the scene all the more terrifying for audiences and cast members alike.
For those who think baboons are frightening, In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro raises the stakes with its depiction of a 90,000-strong baboon army. Set against a backdrop of drought-stricken Kenya, the film captures the chaos that ensues when desperate baboons turn violent against humans, creating a shocking exploration of survival. Although it might not be considered a cinematic masterpiece, its striking portrayal of nature going awry leaves a lasting mark. This film draws parallels to recent events in Thailand, where monkeys, previously reliant on tourists for food, turned aggressive after the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed their interactions with humans.
Dario Argento’s Phenomena also showcases an intriguing relationship between humans and primates, featuring a psychic schoolgirl who teams up with Inga, a chimpanzee, to confront a serial killer. This 1985 thriller is marked by an absurd twist where the monkey employs a straight razor to exact a grisly form of vengeance, adding a layer of absurdity to the horror. Behind the scenes, actress Daria Nicolodi shared her harrowing experiences with the monkey, which displayed unexpectedly aggressive tendencies while filming, making the jungle of terror feel all too real.
In an entirely different approach, the 1986 film Link stars Elizabeth Shue and Terrence Stamp in a bizarre narrative that combines horror and anthropological inquiry. Here, Link the chimp becomes a menacing figure in a bizarre experiment gone awry. With a storyline inspired by observations of real-world primate behavior, the film critiques human intervention in animal lives while presenting a uniquely intense examination of chaos unleashed by anthropomorphized apes. Its most uncomfortable moments arise when Link overly intrudes on Shue’s character, pushing the boundaries of comfort and creating an unsettling atmosphere.
George Romero’s Monkey Shines, released in 1988, recounts the harrowing tale of a paralyzed man and his telepathic bond with a trained monkey named Ella, manipulated by sinister experiments. The film wrestles with themes of control and aggression, as the bond escalates into darker territories. Viewers discovering this chilling narrative may find themselves questioning the implications of human-animal interactions, paralleling topics that Stephen King frequently navigates in his own works.
Shakma, a film released in 1990, brings a different level of threat as it pits unsuspecting college students against a rogue baboon during a failed experiment. While the movie may not stand out as a classic, the intensity of the scenes featuring the escaped baboon demonstrate the sheer terror that can arise from these creatures when pushed to their limits. Notably, actress Amanda Wyss’s own visceral reactions on set reveal the unnerving reality of working closely with such a powerful animal, heightening viewers’ engagement with the unfolding horror.
Turning back to cinematic history, Murders in the Rue Morgue, a nearly century-old film featuring the talents of Bela Lugosi, explores depravity at its most grotesque. The tale follows a deranged scientist conducting inhumane experiments in his grim pursuit of creating a mate for his killer “talking gorilla.” The film, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, threads the line between absurdity and horror, elevating itself through imaginative, yet grim visuals that capture the essence of early horror cinema.
The 1969 Mexican horror film Night of the Bloody Apes stands as a unique addition to the monkey horror genre. It showcases the tale of a doctor who resorts to terrible measures, giving his son the heart of a gorilla in a desperate attempt to cure him. Its unflinching portrayal of grotesque violence and unexpected twists pushes boundaries that many modern films shy away from, solidifying its place in the annals of horror history despite its dubious reputation.
In a more recent exploration, Jordan Peele’s Nope introduces a startling subplot revolving around a primate named Gordy. The flashback sequences offer powerful commentary on Hollywood’s expectations and exploitation of its performers. Steven Yuen’s portrayal of an ex-child actor haunted by a traumatic monkey encounter links back to the thematic concerns of the entertainment industry, encapsulating the deeper fears that often shadow the glitz of show business.
As audiences prepare for the arrival of Stephen King’s The Monkey, these ten films exemplify the unsettling potential of primates in cinema, offering glimpses into the deeper horrors humanity must confront, underscored by the unpredictability of nature and the intricacies of psychological terror. The legacy of monkeys in horror cinema is far-reaching and continues to inspire fear and fascination, making this list essential viewing for horror enthusiasts eagerly awaiting King’s newest twist on terror.
