Confusing Cameo of a Stephen King Character Featuring the Monkey

Film Overview

“The Monkey”departs from Stephen King’s original narrative, infusing the plot with humor and additional characters.
The film features an unexpected cameo of the infamous Annie Wilkes from “Misery, ”introducing an intriguing twist to the storyline.
Director Osgood Perkins challenges audience expectations by portraying Annie Wilkes as a babysitter whose fate takes a gruesome turn early in the film.

While Osgood Perkins’s film The Monkey diverges significantly from Stephen King’s original short story, it retains the core premise. Central to the plot is Hal, a man grappling with a toy monkey imbued with dark magic, leading to absurd fatalities each time its drum is beaten.

The narrative unfolds with complexity, as Perkins introduces additional storylines and characters. Among these is Ricky (Rohan Campbell), a local boy with intentions to seize the cursed toy for himself. Notably, Perkins incorporates a character from another of King’s acclaimed works, enhancing the film’s cultural resonance.

Exploring the Plot of The Monkey

The storyline parallels King’s 1980 narrative, centering on Hal (played by Theo James) and his tumultuous history with a malevolent toy monkey, which he first encountered in childhood. While the monkey appears innocuous, Hal learns that winding it leads to tragic accidents. Haunted by a childhood incident where he accidentally caused his mother’s death instead of harming his twin brother Bill (also portrayed by Christian Convery), Hal now lives a reclusive life.

Hal’s life takes another turn with the arrival of his son, Petey (Colin O’Brien).Despite a deep affection for Petey, Hal believes it’s safer to keep a distance. However, when he learns that Petey’s mother (played by Laura Mennell) plans to marry and remove Hal from their lives, he seizes the opportunity to reconnect by taking Petey to his family home following a bizarre tragedy involving his aunt.

Upon their arrival, a series of increasingly bizarre deaths begin to unfold, pushing Hal and Petey to uncover the root of this chaos. It turns out that Bill, embittered by their mother’s death and convinced of the monkey’s invincibility, has assumed possession of the toy. This leads to a cascade of disastrous events that threaten their town.

While King’s version is steeped in somber themes, Perkins invigorates the film with a blend of dark humor and grotesque visuals. A significant nod to King’s legacy comes in the form of a surprise cameo from Annie Wilkes, presented as Hal and Bill’s babysitter.

Annie Wilkes: A Horror Icon

Annie Wilkes, famously portrayed by Kathy Bates in the 1990 adaptation directed by Rob Reiner, epitomizes one of Stephen King’s most terrifying characters. In “Misery, ”she saves the critically injured author Paul Sheldon (played by James Caan) after a car accident, only to reveal her dangerous fanaticism for his literary series. As Paul attempts to escape Annie’s clutches, she resorts to shocking violence, most notably when she infamously fractures his legs.

What separates Annie from a typical horror antagonist is the depth layered into her character, blending terrifying insanity with relatable humanity—an aspect that earned Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress. Over the years, Annie Wilkes has transcended “Misery, ”making appearances in various adaptations and references within King’s universe, including a memorable role in the television series “Castle Rock.”

However, Perkins takes a creative risk with Wilkes in The Monkey.

Annie Wilkes’s Role in The Monkey

Mirroring King’s tale, the movie’s plot includes a tragic incident involving a babysitter, who in the original story is named Beulah. In this adaptation, her identity remains undisclosed until a funeral scene, where a priest (Nicco Del Rio) reveals her as Annie Wilkes. Perkins approaches this revelation with humor; Hal and Bill’s mother expresses annoyance upon Annie’s arrival, reflecting on her return to dating as a single mother.

Throughout her portrayal, Annie attempts to connect with a chef in a hibachi restaurant and engages with the boys warmly. However, this lightheartedness quickly gives way to horror when a knife mishap results in her violent demise, setting the stage for the movie’s barrage of bizarre and comedic deaths.

Perkins’s clever integration of Annie Wilkes into the storyline plays with audience preconceptions. Given her status as a symbol of King’s formidable horror legacy, many viewers anticipate a chilling experience. Yet, Perkins subverts these expectations, positioning Annie as a character whose demise early in the film redefines the tone, foreshadowing the strange and humorous journey that The Monkey sets out to deliver.

The Monkey is currently screening in theaters nationwide.

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