There are many talented filmmakers and writers working in the horror genre but when the name “Stephen King” appears in the opening titles, it adds an extra pinch of excitement.  His books have been developed into countless movies including The Shining, Misery, It, Pet Cemetery, and Children of the Corn.  He’s one of the most adapted authors of all time… but still aways behind runaway leader William Shakespeare.

First published as a short story in 1980, The Monkey is the story of an old wind-up robotic toy with sinister powers.  Two young boys stumble across the toy while looking through boxes left by their now absent father.  They turn the winder on the monkey’s back, music plays, and then it does a short drumming routine.  It’s not until their babysitter is killed shortly after in a freak accident that we realise the object’s power.  Every time it is played with, someone in the vicinity will die in a bizarre yet gruesome manner.

Director Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) makes the interesting choice to frame the story as a comedy.  I like the idea and it makes The Monkey one of the “funnier” Stephen King movies of all time.  The premise is already bat-shit crazy with lots of plot points that don’t make sense (e.g. the monkey moves around) and so why not have fun with it?  From the over-the-top deaths through to the “you can’t say that” dialogue, there’s a plethora of eyebrow raising moments for those with darker sense of humour.

There’s also a thought-provoking subject at its core.  What would you do with such a toy monkey if it came into your possession?  Would those with sinister intentions use it for mischief, particularly knowing that the user themselves can’t be killed?  For nicer individuals, would you keep it hidden to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands?  These questions are posed of those who come into its possession.

The set-up is great but the film limps home with a weak finale.  I’d argue the characters don’t stay true to themselves and while I’m fine with a supernatural monkey, I wanted more realistic actions and motives from the humans.  The rushed ending is particularly clumsy.  The Monkey works as a comedy but in terms of its dramatic themes involving death and family, it misses the mark.