Get ready for a hair-raising trip to the horror genre, courtesy of director Osgood Perkins and the twisted mind of Stephen King. The first trailer for “The Monkey” has arrived, and it promises to deliver a supernatural thrill ride that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Based on King’s short story of the same name, “The Monkey” stars Theo James as twin brothers Hal and Bill, who stumble upon their father’s old toy monkey in the attic. But this is no ordinary plaything – as the siblings soon discover, the demonic primate is the harbinger of a series of gruesome deaths.
The trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse of the horror to come, with James’ character slowly removing his glasses as the camera pans to a menacing monkey, its shadowy form drumming on a set of bloodied drums. It’s a chilling sequence that sets the tone for what’s sure to be a nerve-wracking thrill ride.
“When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start,” the logline teases. “The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years.”
Joining James in the cast are a talented ensemble that includes Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Laura Mennell, Christian Convery, Sarah Levy, Rohan Campbell, and Colin O’Brien. It’s a formidable lineup that promises to deliver a truly chilling experience.
But the real star of the show may just be the film’s director, Osgood Perkins, who has firmly established himself as a rising force in the horror genre. His previous film, “Longlegs,” was a breakout hit for Neon, becoming the studio’s highest-grossing release and even outperforming the Best Picture winner “Parasite” at the box office.
Now, with “The Monkey,” Perkins is set to take his horror credentials to new heights. And he’s not holding back, describing the film as his most “comedic” feature yet, with a “wry, absurdist” tone that channels the spirit of classic horror-comedies like those of John Landis, Joe Dante, and Robert Zemeckis.
“It’s feeling more like an old John Landis movie or a Joe Dante movie or a Robert Zemeckis movie,” Perkins told The Hollywood Reporter. “I saw an opportunity to make a wry, absurdist comedy about death. It’s about the very basic fact that we all die — and how fucking funny and weird and impossible and surreal is that shit? And to come at it from a tragicomedy kind of voice felt like it fit.”
It’s a bold and unconventional approach, to be sure, but one that has horror fans eagerly anticipating what Perkins has in store. And with the backing of producer James Wan, the mastermind behind the “Saw,” “Insidious,” and “The Conjuring” franchises, “The Monkey” is poised to be a must-see event for genre enthusiasts.
The film’s release is still a few years away, set for February 21, 2025, but the excitement is already building. And in a savvy move, Neon has announced that audiences who catch “The Monkey’s” predecessor, “Longlegs,” during a special Halloween engagement will be treated to an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming thriller.
It’s a tantalizing tease that is sure to have horror hounds clamoring to get their tickets. And with Perkins’ proven track record and the enduring appeal of Stephen King’s work, “The Monkey” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror releases in recent memory.
So get ready to face your fears, as a deadly primate is unleashed in this thrilling new adaptation. With its blend of chills, laughs, and a star-studded cast, “The Monkey” is poised to be the next must-see horror event.