Just based on a title treatment teaser, I was into Oz Perkins’ new film, The Monkey. But now that the actual teaser has dropped, well, I texted Lainey “EXTREMELY MY SH-T” because The Monkey is, to be clear, EXTREMELY MY SH-T.
Perkins’ work has always been right up my alley. Thanks to its summer sleeper status, everyone will now lead with Longlegs when talking about Perkins, but I am begging you to go back to his feature directorial debut, The Blackcoat’s Daughter. That is an EXCELLENT film and probably the best use of Emma Roberts as an actor, full stop. His next two films, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House and Gretel & Hansel are also very good, but I know how people get about movie “homework”, so if you’re not a completionist but you’re curious about Osgood Perkins, beyond that the is Anthony Perkins’ son, go back and at least watch The Blackcoat’s Daughter.
And then get ready for The Monkey, because while Mike Flanagan has become the premiere adapter of Stephen King, Perkins is coming on strong with The Monkey, an adaptation of a King short story. Theo James stars in a dual role as twin brothers, and one of those creepy old monkey automatons is guiding and/or ruining the twins’ lives. This teaser is VERY good, creepy and a lot of “what’s going on” weirdness that works especially well if you haven’t read the short story. I’m also strangely into Theo James in this teaser. I’ve enjoyed him in other things, chiefly The White Lotus but also Sanditon, and The Gentlemen is silly fun, but he’s not someone I think of often, his performances don’t stick with me. But I’m intrigued by him playing a dual role and anchoring a horror movie. Maybe this will be where I turn the Theo James corner.
I’m just really into the look of this film, and knowing Perkins’ work, my expectations are VERY high. I’m bummed about that February release date, mostly because I want to see The Monkey right NOW. Especially after Salem’s Lot disappointed, I need a new, spooky thing for this, the season of spooky. Agatha All Along is, through five episodes, holding up very well, but it’s more spooky-lite than actual, bone chilling spookiness. I need new scary! But this October is light on horror movies. Heretic doesn’t come out till November and Smile 2 looks promising but it’s more of a slasher with a twist than an actual scary movie. The Monkey, though, looks proper scary. I am very much here for this movie, I just wish it was here for us! Right now!
