First and foremost, I have to say that I am now a fan of Osgood Perkins' horror movies. Not necessarily for the plot, but for the style and cinematography. I first fell in love with the visuals of Longlegs (not so much the storyline), and The Monkey lives up to that standard—if not slightly better.
Storyline Overview
The movie begins when twin brothers stumble upon their father's vintage toy monkey in the attic. Hal and Bill soon witness a series of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. Hoping to escape the haunting, they discard the monkey and go their separate ways over the years. However, when inexplicable deaths resurface, they are forced to reunite and embark on a mission to permanently rid themselves of the cursed toy.
Character Highlights
The cast delivers solid performances across the board, with Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood standing out the most. They fully commit to the horror-comedy tone, enhancing both the eerie atmosphere and the comedic absurdity of the film. Every character plays their role effectively, making the movie an entertaining watch.
Villain Analysis
The cursed monkey itself serves as the primary antagonist, embodying an eerie yet ridiculous presence. While not a conventional horror villain, its ability to cause absurdly gruesome deaths is what makes it memorable. It becomes a source of terror yet also absurd hilarity—elevating the film’s campy horror appeal.
Emotional & Thematic Depth
Going into the movie, I expected intense goriness—and boy, did I get it. Initially, I was worried it would have an uneasy Final Destination-like feel, but the deaths were so over-the-top that they became the comedy aspect of the horror-comedy. It was more fun than scary, with well-timed humor and clever dialogue balancing the gruesome moments. Some parts of the film did drag a little, but once the death scenes hit, they were so exaggerated that you couldn’t help but laugh along.
I know it might sound wrong to laugh at characters’ demises, but that’s the charm of The Monkey. The deaths are so absurd that they cross into comedic territory. The film successfully blends horror and humor, making it an enjoyable ride for fans of the genre.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend The Monkey to all gore fans who enjoy a good laugh alongside their horror. The film delivers outrageous gore while maintaining a lighthearted and comedic approach. As a gore fan myself, I’m giving this movie a 7/10 for the sheer entertainment value and its commitment to excessive, unrelenting carnage. I loved it!
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