Following the acclaimed success of "Longlegs," writer/director Oz Perkins brings us another chilling adaptation from Stephen King's vast catalog. "The Monkey" features Theo James in a dual role as twins tormented by a sinister cymbal-banging monkey toy. Joining the eerie ensemble are Tatiana Maslany, known for "Orphan Black," Elijah Wood from "Lord of the Rings" and "Yellowjackets," and Adam Scott of "Severance" fame, all caught in the unsettling grip of this haunted toy.
In his review for IGN, critic Tom Jorgenson praised "The Monkey" as "one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory, exploding off the screen with both gory kills and big laughs." It's clear that "The Monkey" delivers a potent mix of horror and humor.
If you're eager to experience "The Monkey" in theaters or curious about its streaming release, here's all you need to know:
How to Watch The Monkey - Showtimes and Streaming Release Date
The Monkey hit theaters on February 21. You can find showtimes at major theater chains like Fandango, AMC Theaters, Cinemark Theaters, and Regal Theaters.
The Monkey Streaming Release Date
The Monkey will eventually be available to stream on Hulu, thanks to a distribution deal with Neon, which secures Hulu's rights to its theatrical releases. Unlike the recent trend of movies going straight to streaming, Neon's independent films take longer to reach the service. For instance, Oz Perkins' previous film, "Longlegs," was released in theaters on July 12, 2024, and didn't appear on Hulu until February 14, 2025, roughly seven months later.
While you may have to wait several months for "The Monkey" to land on Hulu, you can expect it to be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video by early May.
What Is The Monkey About?
Skeleton Crew: Stories
0Featuring the short story "The Monkey," the novella "The Mist," and many more haunting tales. See it at Amazon.
"The Monkey" is adapted from Stephen King's short story of the same name, initially published in 1980 and later revised for the "Skeleton Crew" collection in 1985. The film's official synopsis reads:
When twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of bizarre deaths ravages their family. Twenty-five years later, the monkey embarks on a new killing spree, compelling the estranged siblings to face the cursed toy once more.
Does The Monkey Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Although "The Monkey" doesn't feature a traditional post-credits scene, there is a "surprise" that's worth sticking around for. Be mindful of spoilers, but you can delve deeper into this in IGN's guide to The Monkey's ending.
The Monkey Cast
"The Monkey" was crafted by Oz Perkins, who serves both as writer and director. The film boasts a compelling cast:
- Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
- Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
- Colin O'Brien as Petey
- Rohan Campbell as Ricky
- Sarah Levy as Ida
- Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
- Osgood Perkins as Chip
- Danica Dreyer as Annie Wilkes
- Laura Mennell as Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother
- Nicco Del Rio as Rookie Priest
The Monkey Rating and Runtime
"The Monkey" is rated R due to intense bloody violent content, gore, pervasive language, and some sexual references. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.
