In a fascinating turn of events, director Osgood Perkins reimagines Stephen King’s short horror story, The Monkey, transforming it into a unique dark comedy. The film stars Theo James, who plays twin brothers Hal and Bill, grappling with a series of bizarre and shocking deaths triggered by a mysterious toy monkey once owned by their father. A preview of The Monkey’s trailer hints at Perkins’ infusion of humor, alongside a generous dose of blood and gore, making for a film that promises to take viewers on a wild ride.
In an enlightening interview with Empire, Perkins discussed the significant departures he has taken from King’s original narrative. He boldly stated, “I took liberties like a motherf–ker,” emphasizing his intent to craft a story that resonates with his personal experiences with mortality. Perkins revealed that the rights to the story were secured by James Wan’s Atomic Monster some years ago, and although the initial script was grave and approached themes of death too seriously, he aimed to infuse it with a sense of dark humor and resilience that comes from his own life tragedies.
They [Atomic Monster] had a very serious script. Very serious. I felt it was too serious, and I told them: ‘This doesn’t work for me. The thing with this toy monkey is that the people around it all die in insane ways. So, I thought: Well, I’m an expert on that.’ Both my parents died in insane, headline-making ways.
I spent a lot of my life recovering from tragedy, feeling quite bad. It all seemed inherently unfair. You personalise the grief: ‘Why is this happening to me?’ But I’m older now and you realise this shit happens to everyone. Everyone dies. Sometimes in their sleep, sometimes in truly insane ways, like I experienced. But everyone dies. And I thought maybe the best way to approach that insane notion is with a smile.
“The patron saints of this movie were Richard Donner, John Landis, Robert Zemeckis and [Looney Tunes animator] Chuck Jones. [Zemeckis’] Death Becomes Her was a big [reference] – that kind of cartoonish horror splatter.
As for King’s response to this new interpretation, Perkins expressed that the iconic author has shown considerable support for his unique vision. This encouragement suggests that Perkins has managed to capture the essence of the original story, while infusing it with his personal perspective on humor and loss.
The Impact of Perkins’ Vision on The Monkey
Elevating the Film’s Potential
Although the full extent of Perkins’ reimagining will remain under wraps until The Monkey arrives in theaters next month, the film has already created a buzz. Perkins previously directed the successful horror film Longlegs, which has been heralded as one of the standout hits of 2024. Garnering positive reviews and an impressive $126 million box office return, his track record lends confidence to his current project.
So far, audience reactions to The Monkey’s promotional content have skated through positively, with excitement surrounding the redband trailer and the sheer outrageousness of the footage. Early screenings have also generated commendations for its combination of humor and horror, particularly highlighting the film’s elevated levels of gore and shock value—suggesting it could deliver a uniquely immersive cinematic experience.
Aside from Theo James, the film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Elijah Wood, Sarah Levy, Tatiana Maslany, and Laura Mennell, who are all poised to bring depth to this eccentric reworking of King’s classic story.
Analyzing Perkins’ Transformative Approach to The Monkey
A Bold Shift from Longlegs to The Monkey
King’s original tale has an inherently bizarre and whimsical quality, making it a fitting candidate for comedic reinterpretation. Given that Longlegs leaned heavily into dark themes, it’s intriguing to observe Perkins pivot to a comedic tone for The Monkey. If this film resonates with audiences, it could firmly establish Perkins as a significant figure within the horror genre.
Although The Monkey leans into comedy, it is not devoid of horror elements. The contemporary film landscape has not seen pure comedies flourish, and the infusion of violence may be just what is needed for Perkins’ latest venture to succeed commercially. As anticipation builds for its release, all eyes will be on The Monkey as it strives to capture audience’s imaginations while remaining true to its horror roots.
Source: Empire
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