Last night, I went to see The Monkey at Cineworld, and honestly? It was exactly what the tagline promised: “Everybody dies, and that’s fucked up.” If you go into this expecting a deep, psychological horror, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you’re here for a blood-soaked, over-the-top gorefest that doesn’t take itself too seriously, then you might just have a great time.
Directed by Osgood Perkins (who, fun fact, appeared in Legally Blonde), the film follows twin brothers who stumble upon a cursed wind-up monkey, setting off a chain of ridiculous and brutal deaths. Twenty-five years later, the creepy little toy returns, and well… you can guess the rest.
I won’t lie – some parts had me laughing more than they had me scared. The film leans into its absurdity, delivering outrageous kills rather than tension or psychological depth. If that’s your thing, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re after something darker and more unsettling, I’d recommend Perkins’ other film Longlegs instead.
One highlight for me was the cast. I’m a big fan of Theo James and Tatiana Maslany, and they did a solid job despite the chaotic plot. The Monkey currently has a 6.3/10 rating on IMDb (check it out here), which feels about right – entertaining for the right audience but not exactly groundbreaking horror.
If you love gory, straight-to-the-point horror with a ridiculous edge, give it a go. If not, maybe sit this one out. Have you seen The Monkey? Let me know what you thought!
Millie Jay Unfiltered 