Osgood Perkins Delivers a Circus of Terror in ‘The Monkey’

At a Glance: Osgood Perkins proves himself a true ringmaster with The Monkey, a gruesomely funny comedy that that revels in dry, macabre humor punctuated perfectly by Theo James’ deadpan delivery.

In a time of hyper-serious arthouse horror and meta-slasher flicks, this warm cup of Stephen King nonsense is both familiar and wickedly original. The story itself is simple enough, an evil toy monkey terrorizes a family over the course of generations. If that sounds incredibly silly, it’s because it is – and the silliness is the point.

Osgood Perkins has slowly been building a name for himself as a writer/director, although I’ll always remember him as Dorky David from Legally Blonde. However, his street cred skyrocketed after the release of his box office smash, Longlegs, and he has solidified himself as a bonafide horror auteur with The Monkey.

Perkins leans into his natural comedy chops to devastating effect, putting out one of the most darkly comedic movies in recent memory. People explode, setups are paid off, and Theo James double-role as twin brothers adds a layer of deadpan humor that serves as the perfect cherry on this bloody sundae.

James is able to play both brothers perfectly, but he’s not the only performer to shine in The Monkey. Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and Adam Scott all deliver memorable performances that will have you cracking up at the most horrible things you’ve ever seen.

Overall, The Monkey is a cruel joke that never overstays its welcome thanks to a tight script, skilled direction, and a cast that is visibly having the time of their lives.

Spoilers Below:

I really have to commend Theo James on his performance as Bill, Hal’s ruthlessly mean “older” brother. When the shoe drops and he is revealed as the mastermind behind the recent monkey killings, he plays it with all the subtlety of a comic-book villain. The absolute comedy of hearing him talk about “vanquishing” his nemesis with the power of an evil toy monkey is something that could misfire stupendously, but Perkins’ chose the right man to lead this insane circus.