by ECI Released : 2025-02-28
The Monkey is directed by Oz Perkins and a worthy follow-up to 2024's Longlegs. It stars Theo James as twins Hal and Bill Shelburn, who are haunted by a mysterious windup monkey. From the opening moments, Perkins sets a chilling tone, blending slow-burn suspense with bursts of visceral terror. The film’s atmosphere is thick with dread, and the sound design — particularly the haunting clatter of the monkey’s cymbals — lingers long after the credits roll.
Theo James delivers a surprisingly nuanced dual performance, giving each twin distinct personalities while maintaining a shared sense of trauma that ties them together. Perkins' direction highlights the uncanny nature of their bond, using clever visual tricks and unsettling mirror imagery to blur the lines between reality and hallucination.
The monkey itself is an effective horror device, a relic of childhood twisted into something malevolent. Rather than relying on jump scares, the film lets tension simmer, trusting the audience to sit with the discomfort. There’s a raw emotional undercurrent as Hal and Bill confront not just the supernatural threat but also the ghosts of their own fractured past.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Monkey, but if there’s one criticism that prevents it from being perfect, it’s the pacing in the middle act. The film occasionally meanders, losing some of its tight grip on tension in favor of backstory that, while interesting, slows down the momentum Perkins establishes so well in the first act. A slightly leaner edit could have sharpened the overall impact.
Still, The Monkey offers a satisfying mix of psychological horror and supernatural chills, anchored by strong performances and a director who knows exactly how to crawl under your skin. The Monkey is worth seeing at a drive-in near you.
