The Setup
Two twin brothers—Hal and Bill—stumble upon a vintage toy monkey while going through their missing father’s things. Cute? Think again. Every time the wind-up monkey bangs its drum, someone nearby dies in increasingly absurd and gory ways.
After a few freak accidents, the boys dump the cursed monkey down a well. Fast-forward 25 years: the deaths start again, the monkey resurfaces… and this time, Bill wants it back.
✔ What Works
- Killer concept, killer execution
Based on a lesser-known King short story, this isn’t your usual slow-burn adaptation. Director Osgood Perkins ditches the psychological dread for a full-on blood-splattered absurdist horror ride—and it works. - The monkey is pure nightmare fuel
That creepy little grin. Those glassy eyes. The clacking drumsticks. It’s perfect horror meme material, and it orchestrates some of the most outrageous kills in recent memory. - Inventive, escalating deaths
Harpoon through the chest?
Accidental beheading while cooking?
Cobra attack in Maine? (Yes, really.)
Murder hornet swarm? Of course.
This is Final Destination with a deranged circus flair. - Brothers locked in bloody conflict
The emotional core here is the toxic bond between Bill and Hal. As adults, they’re played by Theo James (yes, from The Gentlemen) in a dual role that balances broken man vs. full-on maniac. - Sharp casting across timelines
Young twins are played by Christian Convery (Cocaine Bear kid!), and both age groups hit the right emotional notes—from tragic to unhinged. - Macabre humor with a purpose
Beneath all the chaos is a bleak but honest worldview: life is random, death is absurd, and sometimes all you can do is laugh (or scream).
✖ Where It Falls Short
- Don’t expect pure King
King purists might be frustrated. Most of the original story’s tone—moody, psychological, and tragic—is swapped for something faster, bloodier, and way more unhinged. - Some kills teeter on cartoonish
Depending on your taste, the gore may veer into full Looney Tunes territory. If you’re looking for slow dread, this isn’t your jam. - Theme overload in the back half
While the absurdity is fun, the film tries to slip in existential musings on death, trauma, and fate. It doesn’t always land cleanly, but the ambition is appreciated.
Final Rating: 4/5
A killer monkey movie that delivers gore, dark laughs, and just enough emotional weight to make it hit harder than expected. Think Gremlins meets Final Destination, with a dash of childhood trauma.
