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Summary
Mike Flanagan has built a strong reputation as a filmmaker who understands the delicate balance of adaptingStephen King’s work. With acclaimed projects likeDoctor SleepandGerald’s Game, Flanagan has managed to bring King’s stories to life while maintaining their eerie atmosphere and psychological depth. However, asFlanagan prepares for his ambitious adaptation ofThe Dark Tower, he has a cautionary tale to learn from:The Monkey.
Directed by Oz Perkins,The Monkeytook a vastly different approachfrom its source material, shifting the tone of King’s chilling short story into something resembling a dark comedy. The results, as reflected byRotten Tomatoes audience scores, suggest that this was a miscalculation. The film’s receptionhighlights the risks of straying too far fromKing’s original intent, andMike Flanagan should take note as he moves forward with his own King adaptations.
The Monkey Went In The Wrong Direction
The Monkeyis based on Stephen King’s short storyof the same name, a terrifying tale about a cursed toy monkey whose cymbals bring about death whenever they clash. The story is pure horror, leaning into supernatural dread and psychological terror. However, Perkins’ adaptation took a completely different route, shifting the horror-driven narrative into what can only be described as a bizarre mix of absurdity and dark comedy withsome heavy gore mixed in.
WhilePerkins has previously demonstrated a knack for unsettling horror with films likeI Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the HouseandGretel & Hansel, his interpretation ofThe Monkeybewildered many fans. Rather than embracing the tension and suspense that made the original story so effective, the film injected humor and offbeat character dynamics that clashed with the source material’s inherent horror. This drastic tonal shift alienated audiences who were expecting a faithful and terrifying adaptation.
This drastic tonal shift alienated audiences who were expecting a faithful and terrifying adaptation.
The lesson here is clear:when adapting Stephen King,changing the tone too drastically can backfire. Fans of King’s work expect psychological complexity, mounting dread, and a sense of genuine horror. Perkins’ experiment withThe Monkeyserves as a reminder that veering too far from these core elements can lead to a misfire.
Beyond the tonal shift, the film’s pacing and narrative structure further frustrated audiences. The short story’s creeping dread was replaced with erratic storytelling that struggled to maintain suspense. The most effective horror films build tension steadily, butThe Monkeyoften undercut its own fear factor by inserting humor at key moments.
Mike Flanagan has already proventhat he understands Stephen King’s horror, butThe Monkeyshould reinforce for him the importance of staying true to the source material. His upcoming adaptation ofThe Dark Towerwill be one of his most ambitious projects yet, given that King’s sprawling fantasy-horror series has long been considered difficult to translate into film or television.
Osgood Perkins
Starring
Theo James Tatiana Maslany Christian Convery Colin O’Brien Rohan Campbell Sarah Levy Adam Scott Elijah Wood
Flanagan’s success withDoctor Sleepcame from his ability to honor both King’s novel and Stanley Kubrick’sThe Shining, finding a middle ground that respected both workswhile adding his own signature style. He’ll need to approachThe Dark Towerwith the same careful balance. While he has the creative freedom to make necessary changes for a television format, staying faithful to King’s intricate world-building and character development is crucial.
IfThe Monkeyserves as an example of what not to do, thenDoctor Sleepis a testament to what can be done right. Instead of reimaginingThe Dark Towerinto something unrecognizable, Flanagan should lean into the series' rich mythology, its blend of horror and fantasy, and the deeply personal journey of its protagonist, Roland Deschain. The audience forThe Dark Toweris already well-versed in King’s vision, and they won’t respond well to a drastic departure from what makes the series so compelling.
The poor reception ofThe Monkeyshould serve as a warning: Stephen King’s fanbase is passionate and has high expectations and wants to see his actual stories on the big or small screen. Taking over an adaptation and making it “your own” isn’t the way to go here. Flanagan has the experience and skill to bring King’s stories to life in a way that satisfies both longtime fans and newcomers, but he must ensure that his adaptations respect the tone and themes that define King’s storytelling.
In the end, itappears thatThe Monkeywas a risk that didn’t pay off as much as it could have, based on audience scores. Mike Flanagan now has the opportunity to learn from Perkins' mistakes. By keeping the core emotional weight intact in his King adaptations, he can avoid the pitfalls thattripped up Perkinsand deliver projects that truly do justice to the master of horror’s works. WithThe Dark Towerand other projects in development, Flanagan has the potential to cement himself as one of the definitive directors of Stephen King adaptations—if he remembers to respect what makes the source material so effective in the first place.
