We first reported that a film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Monkey was on the way back in early 2023. After a long wait, both fans of King and horror will be happy to learn that it finally has wrapped production and a release window set for next year. Longlegs director Osgood Perkins is at the helm, directing from the screenplay he wrote.
Previously announced as the lead, Emmy-nominated actor Theo James is joined by Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) and Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings). Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy round out the ensemble.
In the story, twin brothers Hal and Bill (both played by James) stumble upon a relic from their childhood – their father’s old monkey toy. But this seemingly innocent object unleashes a wave of brutal deaths around them. Determined to break the curse, the brothers try to get rid of the toy. However, when the killings resume, they’re forced to reunite and confront the malevolent monkey once and for all. In a race against time, can they stop the toy before it claims everyone they hold dear?
James Wan, the horror maestro behind films like The Conjuring, produces alongside Michael Clear. Production on the film is complete, with Neon handling U.S. distribution and a planned 2025 theatrical release. Stay tuned for the official release date as it becomes available. In the meantime, you can read King’s The Monkey here. It was first published in Gallery magazine in 1980 and was nominated for a British Fantasy Award for best short story in 1982. It was revised and included in King’s collection Skeleton Crew in 1985.
