Osgood Perkins’ latest film, The Monkey, showcases his signature theme: life’s relentless cruelty toward human connections. Whether through demonic possession, grief-driven witchcraft, or sheer bad luck, his characters struggle to find joy amid chaos. This time, however, Perkins blends dark themes with slapstick comedy, making The Monkey his most entertaining film yet. The movie balances nihilism with humor, and its finale encapsulates this contradiction perfectly.
Hal and Bill, twin brothers played by Christian Convery, grow up in a troubled household. Their father abandons them, and their mother, played by Tatiana Maslany, is an alcoholic fixated on life’s unfairness. Bill bullies Hal, reinforcing the toxic environment. Their lives take a darker turn when they discover a mechanical monkey toy among their father’s belongings.
When wound up, the monkey causes gruesome deaths through freak accidents. After an attempt to kill Bill backfires and results in their mother’s death, the twins lock the monkey away and go their separate ways, permanently estranged.
Decades later, Hal, now played by Theo James, is a socially withdrawn man working a dead-end job. He distances himself from his son, Petey, fearing the monkey’s return and its potential to harm those he loves. Hal’s strained relationship with Petey mirrors the cycle of abandonment started by his own father.
As he struggles to be a good parent, his ex-wife’s new partner, Ted, a self-help guru played by Elijah Wood, threatens to replace him in Petey’s life. Hal’s isolation reflects Perkins’ ongoing exploration of how parental efforts to protect their children can sometimes backfire.
The Monkey (Photo: Neon)A Cursed Toy Returns, Reigniting Old Wounds and Unleashing Deadly Consequences
Meanwhile, a rebellious young man named Thrasher (Rohan Campbell) unknowingly brings the monkey back into play after purchasing it at a garage sale. His curiosity leads him to turn the key, causing the death of Hal’s aunt Ida in a grotesque accident. This marks the beginning of another violent rampage orchestrated by the cursed toy. The monkey’s reappearance reactivates the unresolved tensions between Hal and Bill, setting the stage for a final confrontation.
Hal receives a call from his estranged brother, Bill (now played by James Ransone), who warns him that the monkey has returned. However, Bill’s motivations are far from pure. It turns out that Bill never forgave Hal for their mother’s death and has spent his life harboring resentment. He retrieves the monkey from its hiding place and deliberately unleashes its deadly power, hoping it will seek out Hal. Bill’s warped sense of justice reveals how trauma can lead to dangerous obsessions and destructive behavior.
Hal and Petey track Bill down, uncovering his elaborate beliefs about the monkey. Bill insists that the person who turns the key remains immune to its deadly effects.
He even suggests that Petey should turn the key to ensure his safety. Hal refuses and desperately tries to reason with his brother. In a rare moment of clarity, Bill hesitates, seemingly swayed by Hal’s words. However, before true reconciliation can occur, one of Bill’s own death traps is triggered, resulting in his grotesque demise as a cannonball crushes his head.
The Monkey (Photo: Neon)A Town in Ruin, a Haunting Vision, and a Fragile Hope for Redemption
With Bill gone, Hal takes responsibility for the monkey, vowing to keep it locked away forever. He and Petey leave the scene, only to witness the chaos Bill caused by repeatedly turning the key before his death. The town is left in carnage, with horrifying scenes such as a baby carriage on fire and a man impaled by a surfboard. The film uses this destruction as a metaphor for the collateral damage caused by unhealthy family bonds and the wider consequences of unchecked resentment.
As Hal and Petey drive away, Hal sees a mysterious old woman in a dark cloak riding a horse. This vision, which Hal has mentioned multiple times throughout the film, remains unexplained, adding an eerie sense of unease. Whether a supernatural manifestation or a trick of the monkey’s influence, the sight reinforces the film’s theme of life’s inexplicable horrors. Despite everything, Hal and Petey finally connect, as Hal suggests they visit a public attraction together—a small but significant step toward healing.
The film closes with a gruesome yet comedic note: as Hal and Petey drive off, a bus full of cheerleaders is sideswiped by a truck, leaving behind a bloody wreck. This final moment reaffirms The Monkey’s core message—life, like the cursed toy, is cruel, chaotic, and devoid of meaning. However, amidst the darkness, a sliver of hope remains. Hal and Petey’s fragile but genuine bond suggests that even in a world of relentless misfortune, human connection is worth fighting for.
