Stephen King's stories have often become great horror films and the newest one is The Monkey. Adapted from his 1980 short story of the same name this movie is already getting people talking. Reviews are coming in and there's a big question on everyone's mind Is The Monkey a worthy addition to the long list of Stephen King adaptations and is it actually any good?
Adding to the excitement Stephen King himself has given his verdict on The Monkey. His reaction was quite something and it definitely raises expectations even higher. King called the movie "batshit insane" and clarified that he said that "with admiration." This is a strong endorsement from the master of horror himself but what does it actually mean for audiences? Let's see what makes The Monkey so noteworthy and if it deserves the praise.
The Monkey Leans Into Humor More Than You Might Expect From Stephen King
Osgood Perkins Chose A Comedic Route For This Horror Adaptation
One thing that might surprise viewers going into The Monkey is its surprising amount of humor. Director Osgood Perkins known for Longlegs decided to lean into a comedic tone for this movie. Perkins himself said he didn't want to approach an evil toy monkey movie with a straight face. He felt that if he was going to make a movie about death he should do it with a smile and not bum anyone out. This approach definitely sets The Monkey apart from more serious horror adaptations and could be a big part of its appeal.
This blend of horror and humor might remind some viewers of movies like Evil Dead or even the Creepshow series which King himself has connections to. It seems The Monkey isn't aiming for scares in a conventional way but rather wants to delight and entertain with its over-the-top premise and darkly comedic execution. Whether this works for everyone remains to be seen but it's certainly a bold choice that makes The Monkey stand out.
Disney May Have Unintentionally Improved The Monkey Movie
The Change From Cymbals To Drums Was A Creative Choice Born From Limitation
In Stephen King's original short story the toy monkey is known for crashing cymbals together. However in the movie this detail is changed. The monkey in the film bangs drumsticks on a drum. This change wasn't necessarily a deliberate creative decision at first. According to Perkins Disney owns the rights to cymbal-playing monkeys because of their use in Toy Story. So the filmmakers were forced to find an alternative.
Initially this might have seemed like a setback. However Perkins turned it into a creative opportunity. He realized drums could be even more effective creating a percussive and energetic feel. The drum roll and rim shot sounds add to the comedic and theatrical nature of the monkey's mayhem. This example shows how limitations can sometimes lead to unexpected creative solutions making the movie even more unique than it might have been.
Expect Over-The-Top Gore And Creative Kills In The Monkey But Not Realistic Ones
The Movie Embraces Cartoonish Violence Inspired By Itchy And Scratchy
If you're squeamish The Monkey might not be for you. The movie is said to feature a lot of over-the-top gore and some very creative kill scenes. However it's important to note that the violence in The Monkey is not meant to be realistic. Perkins has stated that he made a rule for himself that none of the deaths could be real or scientifically accurate. He aimed for a tone similar to Itchy and Scratchy from The Simpsons or Wile E. Coyote cartoons where violence is exaggerated and cartoonish.
This approach means viewers should expect spectacle and dark humor rather than genuinely disturbing or realistic horror. Deaths include decapitations by hibachi chefs and electrocutions in swimming pools that defy physics. This level of absurdity is clearly intentional and contributes to the movie's overall comedic and outlandish tone. It seems The Monkey is going for a fun and gruesome ride rather than psychological terror.
Comparisons To Final Destination Might Be Inevitable But Are They Accurate?
Osgood Perkins Is Unfamiliar With The Final Destination Franchise
Given the focus on elaborate and improbable deaths some viewers might draw comparisons between The Monkey and the Final Destination movies. These films are known for their Rube Goldberg-esque death sequences where characters try to cheat fate only to be killed in increasingly elaborate accidents. While there might be some superficial similarities in the sense of unexpected and outlandish deaths Perkins himself claims to be unfamiliar with the Final Destination franchise.
He understands why the comparison might be made due to the Rube Goldberg quality of the deaths in The Monkey. However he states that Final Destination was not an intentional influence. Perkins' focus seems to be more on creating a darkly comedic and irreverent tone in line with Stephen King's more playful horror stories rather than focusing solely on elaborate death traps. Therefore while viewers might see some parallels the core intentions and style of The Monkey appear to be different.
Stephen King's "Batsht Insane" Review Is A Major Selling Point For Horror Fans
King's Enthusiastic Reaction Suggests The Monkey Captures The Spirit Of His Work
Ultimately the biggest endorsement for The Monkey comes from Stephen King himself. His "batshit insane" review is certainly attention-grabbing and suggests that the movie has captured something essential from his original story. King rarely uses such strong language in his praise and the fact that he does for The Monkey implies a genuine enthusiasm and approval. For fans of Stephen King this review alone might be enough reason to check out the movie.
King's appreciation for the film also suggests that The Monkey successfully balances horror with humor and a touch of the absurd which seems to be a hallmark of some of his own work. If the creator himself believes the movie is a worthy and entertaining adaptation it certainly bodes well for its quality and its potential to please both King fans and general horror audiences. Whether The Monkey will become a horror classic remains to be seen but Stephen King's enthusiastic reaction definitely makes it a movie worth considering especially for those looking for something a bit different and offbeat in the horror genre.