Osgood Perkins has returned with a distinctive adaptation of Stephen King‘s short story ‘The Monkey,’ now available on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Following his previous film, the eerie ‘Longlegs,’ Perkins presents viewers with a chilling yet darkly comic reimagining of Stephen King’s tale, one revolving around a cursed toy monkey. This film diverges from the traditional horror narrative, incorporating themes of parenthood and the unpredictability of death, woven into a morbidly comic narrative. Perkins draws from personal tragedy, his father, famed actor Anthony Perkins, having passed away from AIDS, and his mother, Berry Berenson, perishing in the tragic 9/11 attacks, stimulating curiosity as to whether this background infuses the film with additional emotional depth.
The story centers around twin brothers, Hal and Bill Shelburn, portrayed by Christian Convery. They live in the shadow of their father, Petey Shelburn, played by Adam Scott, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. In an evocative opening, Petey unsuccessfully attempts to rid himself of the cursed monkey by selling it to an unsuspecting pawn shop broker, setting it aflame, and ultimately fleeing. As the narrative unfolds, viewers learn through adult Hal, voiced by Theo James, that their father has left them a haunting legacy, a sentiment echoing Anthony Perkins’ own son humorously.
Living with their mother Lois, convincingly performed by Tatiana Maslany, the brothers struggle to make sense of their altered reality. The dynamics between the brothers are strained, with younger Hal often bullied by his older sibling, Bill. One fateful day, the discovery of the infamous toy monkey in their father’s closet introduces a series of bizarre events. With its hauntingly sinister wide eyes and unsettling grin, the monkey plays its ominous drumming tune, its final bang marking the moment a death ensues. Despite Hal’s intent to eliminate his brother with the cursed toy, it’s their mother who suffers a gruesome fate, sparking a chain of chilling occurrences.
Over time, the monkey reappears, unsettlingly indestructible despite Hal’s attempts to destroy it. As the boys grow and relocate to their aunt and uncle’s Maine home, the monkey refuses to be forgotten, leading to further tragedy. The adult brothers, now portrayed by James, grow apart, yet their lives remain ensnared by the ominous presence of the monkey. Dichotomously, Hal lives in solitude, distanced from his own son, Petey, played by Colin O’Brien, fearing the curse will transition to the next generation.
As the cursed monkey’s power resurfaces, unraveling another family tragedy, it becomes apparent that there’s more at stake. As various town residents meet grisly ends, suspicions rise, dredging up old family feuds. Osgood Perkins expertly crafts these thrilling sequences, reminiscent of the Coen Brothers and Sam Raimi’s styles, echoing a unique concoction of suspenseful and humorous interactions.
Maslany’s portrayal of Lois imbues the film with a sense of vibrancy, lifting Perkins’ otherwise stark character sketches. Despite the film’s rich potential in theme and tone, something essential seems to be lacking. The screenplay appears to focus more on shocking set pieces than coherent storytelling, leading the narrative to sometimes feel disjointed, with James’ performance as Hal falling flat against the film’s otherwise intense backdrop.
While the film teases glimpses of thrilling horror, it ultimately can’t mask the absence of an emotional core. The somber protagonist mirrors Perkins’ exploration of life’s arbitrary cruelty with a detachment that keeps viewers at a distance. The film, while rich in cynical charm and dark comedy, doesn’t fully engage with the themes it sets forth, leaving audiences on the periphery.
In conclusion, ‘The Monkey’ embodies a compelling complexity, touching on Osgood Perkins’ recurring themes, yet it succumbs to its own ambitious narrative, offering more style than substance. Despite Perkins’ unique approach and creativity, this adaptation falls short of its potential. ‘The Monkey’ struggles to harmonize its captivating thematic elements with cohesive storytelling, leading viewers to cautiously question whether to stream or skip this peculiar yet intriguing film.
