Summary
From kids who encounter a terrifying clown to a fan kidnapping their favorite novelist, some of the most acclaimedhorrormovies have been adapted from clever and scary stories byStephen King. A few of these films, likeThe ShiningandMisery, are incredibly creepy. Others, such as the upcoming horror movieThe Monkey, have more than a few comedic moments.The Monkeyis adapted from King’s short story and written and directed by Osgood Perkins, and it’s almost time for fans to see what the hype is all about.
King himself loves the movieandThe Monkeyalready has a great Rotten Tomatoes score. I’ve enjoyed seeing the various teasers and behind-the-scene clips that have been shared, and I’ve also liked reading interviews with Perkins to learn more about his approach to the movie.Perkins recently talked about the 1990s setting ofThe Monkey, and I’m glad that he chose this time period.
Why The Stephen King Adaptation The Monkey’s 1990s Setting Is Perfect
AsJoBloreported, in an interview withSFXMagazine,Osgood Perkins talked about whyThe Monkeyis set in the 1990s, along with the present day. He said:
“Stranger Thingskind of cornered the market on ‘It’s like movies from the ’80s, it’s likeGremlins, it’s like Spielberg!’ – and it did it so well and so successfully. Initially the movie that I wrote was set in the ’80s, with the childhood stuff in the ’50s, because that felt very Stephen King to me. But of courseItalready did that, andStranger Thingstook that away, so we moved it to the ’90s and the present.“
I like Perkins’s explanation and I think it was smart to avoid settingThe Monkeyin the 1980s. While it might be tough to completely avoid comparisons toStranger ThingsandIt: Chapter OneandIt: Chapter Two, settingThe Monkeyin another time period is a good start. I thinkthe ’90s setting works because the characters don’t have access to modern technology. The biggest question for a contemporary horror movie is,“Can’t the characters just use their cell phones to get help?“When a filmmaker can remove smartphones from the equation,the film is much scarier and more believable.
I also thinkThe Monkey’s ’90s setting works becauseit evokes a sense of nostalgia, which speaks to the tone, vibe, and premise of the film. WhileThe Monkey’s trailer shows how dark and violent the toy is, the movie is also about twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn (Theo James) looking back on their childhood and thinking about their difficult relationship with their parents. At its core, the movie reflects on how childhood, a time that is supposed to be fun and innocent, can become dark and disturbing. Sincemany people feel nostalgic toward the ’90s and seek out entertainment from this decade, I think it’s fun to revisit this time period inThe Monkey.
Finally, I think it was wise to setThe Monkeyin the ’90s becausethree of Perkins’s horror movies have ’90s settings:The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Longlegs, and nowThe Monkey. Although these three movies aren’t connected, there’s a funfan theory suggestingLonglegsis a prequel toThe Blackcoat’s Daughter,and it’s possible to see common themes. I like seeing patterns in a filmmaker’s work and think it’s great that even thoughThe Monkeyis an adaptation of King’s short story, Perkins put his creative stamp on it.
What Did James Wan And Osgood Perkins Say About The Monkey?
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly,producerJames Wan, who has directed and produced several horror movies ranging fromMalignanttoM3GANtoSalem’s Lot,talked about the approach Osgood Perkins took when makingThe Monkey. Wan said:
“Oz described it as the monkey on your back, literally and existentially. There is a literal monkey, a toy monkey, that’s trying to f—ing massacre everyone. At the same time, it’s a little bit of a dissection of family history and family trauma. There’s multiple levels to this story.”
Wan’s comments make me think thatThe MonkeyandPerkins’s 2024 horror movieLonglegshave some things in common as both horror movies featuregory kills and main characters dealing with tragedies and complicated family relationships. But, as Perkins has noted, the two movies are very different. In an interview withThe Los Angeles Times, Perkins said:
“The Monkeyis nothing likeLonglegsin any way.”
All will be revealed whenThe Monkeyisreleased on February 21st, 2025,and after so many months of anticipation, horror fans can finally seethe chaos this evil toy unleashes.
