A wind-up toy monkey isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of nightmare fuel, but Stephen King, James Wan, and Osgood Perkins have other ideas. Their latest horror film, The Monkey, is making waves with both critics and audiences, proving once again that the horror genre has plenty of life—or death—left in it.
Horror’s Hot Streak Continues in 2025
It’s only mid-February, but the horror genre has already delivered a standout year. Companion, the android horror-thriller, set the tone early, and now The Monkey is stepping into the spotlight. Unlike many genre films that divide audiences and critics, The Monkey has managed to earn near-identical praise from both sides, with an 84% critic rating and an 85% audience score.
Last year’s Longlegs, also directed by Osgood Perkins, became a viral sensation despite a split reaction from fans. Critics scored it at 86%, while audiences lagged behind at 61%. The Monkey, however, seems to be bridging that gap, cementing Perkins as a director to watch in the modern horror scene.
A Haunting Premise with King’s Signature Touch
Stephen King has built a career on transforming the mundane into the macabre, and The Monkey is no exception. The film is adapted from his 1980 short story about a cursed wind-up monkey that causes death every time its cymbals clash.
The official synopsis teases a chilling multi-generational horror tale:
The story has all the hallmarks of classic King—family trauma, supernatural horror, and an unstoppable evil that refuses to stay buried. But it’s the way Perkins and Wan bring it to life on screen that makes it a fresh nightmare for modern audiences.
Osgood Perkins and James Wan: A Perfect Horror Duo
Perkins has proven his ability to craft unsettling narratives, and working with horror heavyweight James Wan (The Conjuring, Saw, Malignant) elevates The Monkey beyond a simple haunted toy story.
Wan’s influence is clear in the film’s tension-building and jump scares, while Perkins injects his signature slow-burning dread. The combination results in a film that keeps viewers on edge, whether they’re bracing for a sudden fright or dreading the psychological torment that lingers long after the credits roll.
A Familiar Yet Fresh Horror Experience
Fans of Final Destination may find The Monkey eerily reminiscent of the franchise’s elaborate and gruesome “accidental” deaths. The key difference? Instead of an unseen force orchestrating fatal misfortunes, there’s a tangible, malevolent object at the center of it all—a toy monkey with a deadly agenda.
The deaths in The Monkey feel random yet calculated, each one more shocking than the last. This unpredictability keeps audiences engaged, wondering not just who will be next, but how the cursed toy will strike again.
What Sets The Monkey Apart?
- A Stephen King story that hasn’t been over-adapted, giving it a fresh feel.
- A mix of psychological horror and supernatural slasher elements.
- Direction from Osgood Perkins, known for unsettling horror like The Blackcoat’s Daughter.
- James Wan’s signature touch in crafting memorable, terrifying set pieces.
A Promising Start for Horror in 2025
With The Monkey earning praise across the board, it’s shaping up to be a strong year for horror. The genre continues to evolve, offering both inventive new stories and fresh takes on classic concepts. Whether it’s a murderous android in Companion or a demonic toy monkey in The Monkey, one thing is certain—fear is alive and well at the box office.
The film’s success also raises a question: could this be the next franchise in the making? If The Monkey proves to have legs beyond its initial run, audiences may not have seen the last of its deadly cymbal clashes.
