The horror film The Monkey, based on a Stephen King short story, has been added to BBC iPlayer in time for Halloween, and viewers are divided on whether it should make them laugh or cry.
The film, written and directed by Oz Perkins, who also helmed the 2024 horror release Longlegs, is one of the goriest adaptations fans say they have seen, with many audience members left in tears.
Star-Studded Cast and Plot
Perkins appears in the cast himself as Uncle Chip, alongside Theo James, known for Downton Abbey and The Gentlemen, in a dual role as twins Bill and Hal. The cast also includes Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and Adam Scott.
According to the synopsis, when twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tears their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree, forcing the estranged siblings to confront the cursed toy.
Critical and Fan Reception
Upon its original cinema release in 2025, the film earned a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic praised the central performance and shock value, saying: "A riotous hoot that’s delightfully wicked, especially thanks to a gloriously unhinged Theo James."
Fans have echoed the praise, with one posting online: "I can't fully articulate why this is the best movie I've seen in a decade, but it just is. The movie combines the seriousness and light-heartedness of life and death. It shows how life has so much meaning and is simultaneously so meaningless. The movie leaves me feeling comforted in knowing that I'm not alone in wondering whether or not I should laugh or cry at it all."
Another admitted: "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."
Someone else added: "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.
