Following the acclaimed success of "Longlegs," writer/director Oz Perkins brings us another chilling adaptation from Stephen King's repertoire. "The Monkey" features Theo James portraying a pair of twins tormented by a sinister cymbal-playing monkey toy. The cast also includes Tatiana Maslany from "Orphan Black," Elijah Wood known for "Lord of the Rings" and "Yellowjackets," and Adam Scott of "Severance," all entangled in this eerie narrative.
In his review for IGN, critic Tom Jorgenson praises "The Monkey" as "one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory, bursting onto the screen with both gory kills and big laughs." This suggests a delightful mix of horror and humor that fans of the genre will appreciate.
If you're eager to see "The Monkey" in theaters or curious about its streaming availability, here's what you need to know:
How to Watch The Monkey - Showtimes and Streaming Release Date
"The Monkey" hit theaters on February 21. You can find showtimes near you at major theater chains like Fandango, AMC Theaters, Cinemark Theaters, and Regal Theaters.
The Monkey Streaming Release Date
"The Monkey" will eventually be available to stream on Hulu, thanks to Neon's distribution deal with the platform. Unlike the trend of movies going straight to streaming, Neon's independent films typically take longer to reach the service. For instance, Oz Perkins' previous film, "Longlegs," was released in theaters on July 12, 2024, and didn't appear on Hulu until February 14, 2025, roughly seven months later. Expect "The Monkey" to follow a similar timeline, but you might be able to rent or buy it on digital platforms like Prime Video by early May.
What Is The Monkey About?
Based on Stephen King's short story from the "Skeleton Crew" collection, "The Monkey" follows twin brothers who discover a mysterious wind-up monkey. This discovery leads to a series of bizarre deaths that tear their family apart. Decades later, the monkey reignites its deadly spree, compelling the now-estranged siblings to confront the cursed toy once more.
Does The Monkey Have a Post-Credits Scene?
While "The Monkey" doesn't feature a traditional post-credits scene, there is a "surprise" worth sticking around for. For those who want to avoid spoilers, IGN offers a guide to The Monkey's ending that delves into this further.
The Monkey Cast
Written and directed by Oz Perkins, "The Monkey" boasts a talented ensemble cast:
- Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
- Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
- Colin O'Brien as Petey
- Rohan Campbell as Ricky
- Sarah Levy as Ida
- Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
- Osgood Perkins as Chip
- Danica Dreyer as Annie Wilkes
- Laura Mennell as Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother
- Nicco Del Rio as Rookie Priest
The Monkey Rating and Runtime
"The Monkey" is rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, language throughout, and some sexual references. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.
