The cinematic universe of Stephen King continues to expand with the arrival of The Monkey, an adaptation of the homonymous short story published in the 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. Directed by Osgood Perkins, known for his work on Longlegs, and produced by James Wan, the mastermind behind franchises like Saw and The Conjuring, the film premiered on February 21, 2025, bringing an intriguing mix of horror and dark humor.
The story revolves around a seemingly harmless toy that triggers macabre events in the life of a family. With a stellar cast, including Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Christian Convery, The Monkey promises to immerse the audience in a narrative full of suspense and surprises. The combination of talent both in front of and behind the camera raises expectations about how this adaptation stands out among the countless King works already brought to the big screen.
In this article, we will explore the film’s plot in detail, introduce the main characters and cast, highlight the production’s high points, and discuss why this work, already making waves among horror fans, is worth watching.
A Story that will give you chills
The Monkey follows the lives of twin brothers Bill and Hal Shelburn, played by Theo James. During a visit to their family’s old home, they find a toy monkey in the attic that belonged to their father. This seemingly harmless toy is a wind-up monkey that plays a drum, but it soon reveals itself to be a cursed object.
After the discovery, a series of inexplicable deaths begins to occur around the brothers. Frightened and seeking to rid themselves of the curse, they decide to discard the toy and move on with their lives, which results in a rift between the two. Years later, even though they believe the nightmare is over, sinister events return to haunt them, indicating that The Monkey still exerts its evil influence.
The narrative unfolds in two timelines: the past, showing the brothers’ childhood and their first encounters with the cursed toy, and the present, where they face the consequences of their past actions. This structure allows for a deep immersion into the characters’ psychology and the family dynamics affected by the presence of the monkey.
Cast and Main Characters
The film features a talented cast that brings the story’s complex characters to life:
Theo James as Bill and Hal Shelburn
Portraying the twin protagonists, Theo James faces the challenge of differentiating the personalities of Bill and Hal, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Known for his role as Four in the Divergent series, James has also appeared in Underworld: Blood Wars and the series Sanditon.
Christian Convery as Young Bill and Hal
The young actor plays the brothers in their childhood, a crucial period for the development of the plot. Convery gained prominence for his role in the Netflix series Sweet Tooth, where he plays Gus, a human-deer hybrid in a post-apocalyptic world.
Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
The twins’ mother, Lois, is played by Tatiana Maslany, an Emmy winner for her performance in the series Orphan Black, where she shone by portraying multiple clones with distinct personalities. Recently, Maslany took on the lead role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Colin O’Brien as Petey Shelburn Jr.
Hal’s son, Petey, is played by Colin O’Brien, a young actor who starred in The Mothership alongside Halle Berry and has been making a name for himself with promising performances.
Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
Known worldwide for his role as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Elijah Wood plays Ted, the new husband of Hal’s ex-wife, adding an interesting dynamic to the plot. Wood has also stood out in films like Sin City and the series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency.
Sarah Levy as Ida Zimmer
Playing the twins’ aunt, Sarah Levy is known for her role as Twyla Sands in the acclaimed comedy series Schitt’s Creek, which won multiple Emmy Awards.
Adam Scott as Petey Shelburn Sr.
The twins’ absent father is played by Adam Scott, a versatile actor who has appeared in series like Parks and Recreation and Big Little Lies, as well as films like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
The choice of a cast with experience in various cinematic genres enriches the narrative, allowing for a deep exploration of family relationships and the psychological nuances of the characters.
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