Stephen King’s terrifying short story The Monkey is coming to life on the big screen, and horror fans couldn’t be more excited. With a star-studded cast, a twisted supernatural plot, and chilling visuals, The Monkey promises to be one of the scariest horror films of 2025.
Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film adapts King’s 1980 short story, transforming it into a psychological horror-thriller that blends classic supernatural terror with modern filmmaking techniques. The eerie tale follows a cursed toy monkey that mysteriously causes gruesome deaths whenever it claps its cymbals together.
So what makes The Monkey so special? Why is it already sparking controversy and curiosity? And when can horror fans finally watch it? In this in-depth article, we break down:
✔️ The Monkey Movie – Plot, Cast, and What to Expect
✔️ How The Monkey Compares to the Original Stephen King Story
✔️ Why the Trailer Was Banned from TV – A Shocking Controversy
✔️ Early Reactions and Reviews from Critics
✔️ The Release Date and Where to Watch It
Let’s dive into the creepy world of The Monkey and see why this film is making waves in the horror industry.
What Is “The Monkey” Movie About? A Deep Dive into the Plot
🎬 Director: Osgood Perkins (Gretel & Hansel, The Blackcoat’s Daughter)
🎭 Main Cast:
- Theo James (The White Lotus) as Hal
- Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) as Charlotte
- Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) as Rupert
Story Overview
The film follows twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who stumble upon a mysterious old toy monkey in their deceased father’s belongings. The brothers soon discover that this seemingly harmless toy is linked to a series of horrific deaths.
🔥 Key Plot Points:
- Every time the toy monkey claps its cymbals, someone dies in a horrific, supernatural way.
- Hal (played by Theo James) begins investigating its origins, realizing that it has been responsible for deaths spanning decades.
- As the monkey’s curse intensifies, Hal and his loved ones are pulled into a terrifying struggle for survival.
💀 What Makes It So Scary?
✔ A haunted object that kills people mysteriously
✔ Slow-burning psychological horror mixed with brutal scares
✔ Dark family secrets unraveling with each death
How Does “The Monkey” Compare to Stephen King’s Original Story?
📖 Stephen King’s version of The Monkey first appeared in 1980 as part of Skeleton Crew, a collection of short horror stories. The film remains mostly faithful to King’s terrifying premise, but with some major changes.
📌 Key Differences Between the Movie and the Book:
✔ Expanded Storyline – The movie adds new characters and subplots, making it a full-length horror film.
✔ Stronger Character Development – The film dives deeper into Hal’s backstory, his trauma, and his fight against the monkey’s curse.
✔ More Psychological Horror – Unlike the original short story, the movie focuses on paranoia, family curses, and supernatural mind games.
✔ Modern Cinematic Horror – The movie uses creepy visuals, disturbing sound design, and jump scares to intensify the experience.
While some purists may prefer the original short story, the film adaptation expands and modernizes the horror elements, making it even more terrifying.
Why Was “The Monkey” Trailer Banned from TV? The Controversy Explained
📢 One of the biggest surprises about “The Monkey” is that its trailer was banned from several television networks due to its disturbing content.
🚫 What Was So Shocking About the Trailer?
- The graphic violence and intense horror imagery were deemed too extreme for mainstream audiences.
- Some early viewers reported feeling disturbed after watching it.
- The sound of the cymbals clapping and the creepy atmosphere made it one of the most unsettling horror trailers in years.
💬 What Horror Fans Are Saying:
- “This looks like the scariest movie of 2025. The trailer alone gave me nightmares.”
- “Why did they ban it? That only makes me want to watch it more!”
📺 Where to Watch the Banned Trailer: Since it was banned from television, you can only watch the Red Band Trailer online.
🎞️ Watch it here:
The Monkey – Official Red Band Trailer
Early Reviews: What Are Critics Saying About “The Monkey”?
👀 Although the film hasn’t been released yet, early reviews from test screenings have started to emerge.
🌟 Positive Reviews:
✔ “A fresh take on supernatural horror that keeps you on edge.”
✔ “Theo James delivers his best performance yet!”
✔ “A chilling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.”
💀 Negative Reviews:
❌ “Some moments feel repetitive and drawn out.”
❌ “Fans of Stephen King’s original story may not like the added subplots.”
Overall, The Monkey is shaping up to be a divisive but exciting horror film—one that will likely terrify audiences when it finally hits theaters.
When Is “The Monkey” Coming Out? Release Date & Where to Watch
📅 Theatrical Release Date:
- February 21, 2025 (Worldwide)
🎟️ Where to Watch It:
- In theaters first – The movie will have an exclusive theatrical run.
- Streaming Platforms – Likely to arrive on HBO Max or Netflix later in 2025.
🛒 Merchandise & Collectibles:
- Limited Edition “Cursed Toy Monkey” Replicas will be available for horror collectors.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch “The Monkey” in 2025?
If you’re a fan of supernatural horror, Stephen King stories, or psychological thrillers, The Monkey should definitely be on your must-watch list for 2025.
🔮 Final Verdict:
✔ A terrifying new horror film that blends supernatural and psychological horror.
✔ A must-watch for Stephen King fans who love dark, eerie storytelling.
✔ A potential horror hit with a unique concept that will haunt you for days.
📅 Mark your calendars for February 21, 2025, and prepare for a chilling ride!
📢 Are you excited for The Monkey? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
