In horror cinema, a new milestone is set with the completion of “The Monkey,” a film adaptation of Stephen King’s spine-tingling short story. With shooting wrapped just a week ago, this eagerly awaited movie boasts a star-studded cast led by Theo James, known for his role in “The White Lotus.” Joining him are acclaimed actors Tatiana Maslany of “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” Elijah Wood from the epic “The Lord Of The Rings” series, Christian Convery of “Sweet Tooth,” Colin O’Brien from “Wonka,” Rohan Campbell of “The Hardy Boys,” and Sarah Levy, recognized from “Schitt’s Creek.”
“The Monkey” narrates the harrowing tale of twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who stumble upon their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, unwittingly triggering a series of gruesome deaths. As the brothers attempt to discard the toy and move forward with their lives, they find themselves drawn apart. Yet, the mysterious deaths resume years later, compelling the now-estranged siblings to reunite and confront the evil force embodied in the monkey toy to protect their loved ones.
The casting choice of Theo James to portray the twins in their later years, alongside Christian Convery as the younger twins, promises a dynamic portrayal of the character’s evolution throughout the story. The film’s production gathers a formidable team, including horror maestro James Wan, the creative force behind “The Conjuring Universe” and co-creator of the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises. Wan produces alongside his Atomic Monster partner Michael Clear (“M3GAN”), and C2 Motion Picture Group’s Jason Cloth (“Joker”) and Dave Caplan (“Babylon”), with C2 financing this supernatural saga.
Screen adaptation and direction are helmed by Osgood Perkins, a genre specialist known for “Longlegs,” ensuring that “The Monkey” remains true to the chilling essence of King’s original story. The film’s production lineup also includes Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (“Insidious”) for Range and Chris Ferguson (“Child’s Play”) for Odd Fellows, with executive production by Range’s Fred Berger (“La La Land”), Stars Collective’s Peter Luo and Nancy Xu, and John Friedberg (“Greenland”) for Black Bear International. Following a successful launch at Cannes, anticipation for “The Monkey” has been mounting, especially in the wake of Perkins’ buzz-generating “Longlegs,” set for release this summer by Neon.
As “The Monkey” gears up for its premiere, horror enthusiasts and Stephen King fans alike are on the edge of their seats, awaiting a film that promises not only to delve deep into the master of horror’s lore but also to push the boundaries of the genre. With its compelling narrative, exceptional cast, and visionary production team, “The Monkey” is poised to be a significant addition to the landscape of horror cinema, offering a terrifyingly fresh take on the consequences of unearthing the past.