BBC viewers are being left with their jaws on the floor over what they describe as one of the 'goriest horror movies ever', now available to stream at no cost. The 'brutal' picture is also leaving audiences uncertain whether to laugh or cry.
The Monkey is currently accessible on BBC iPlayer in time for Halloween. The feature was written and directed for cinema by Oz Perkins, who also created the 2024 horror offering Longlegs, which is also keeping BBC audiences enthralled this frightening season. The Monkey is adapted from a short story penned by renowned author Stephen King.
Stephen King adaptation and star-studded cast
King is the writer behind other tales that inspired successful adaptations including Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Long Walk, The Running Man and It. Perkins appears in the cast himself as Uncle Chip, alongside Downton Abbey and The Gentlemen star Theo James in a double role as twins Bill and Hal. The ensemble also features Black Orphan's Tatiana Maslany, Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood and Severance star Adam Scott.
According to its synopsis, when twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, a succession of shocking deaths tears their family apart. Twenty-five years on, the monkey embarks on a fresh killing spree, compelling the estranged siblings to face the cursed toy once more.
Critical and audience reception
Upon its original theatrical release in 2025, the film largely won over critics, achieving a 77% score on the Rotten Tomatoes website. One critic highlighted the film's lead performance and shock factor, stating: "A riotous hoot that's delightfully wicked, especially thanks to a gloriously unhinged Theo James."
Audiences proved equally enthusiastic, with many drawing attention to the film's gruesome nature. One viewer posted online: "I can't fully articulate why this is the best movie I've seen in a decade, but it just is." Another confessed: "My mouth was agape, and even more so after looking at how little the estimated budget was. This movie was probably one of the goriest movies I've seen, and if I'm honest the gore was a little over the top however that played into the comedy elements perfectly."
Another viewer stated: "It reminded me very much of the Final Destination movies and that just made me love this movie even more. I don't think there was a single moment of this movie I didn't enjoy in either the comedy or horror aspects. Was definitely worth my time and money to go see. 10/10."
The Monkey is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
