Movie Review: The Monkey

If you go into The Monkey expecting a straight-up horror movie, you may find yourself sorely disappointed—or at least surprised. While the film is steeped in horror elements, particularly its gruesome death sequences and supernatural premise, it leans far more into the realm of dark comedy. The film’s humor is as sharp as a razor blade, slicing through the tension with absurdity, sarcasm, and a knowing wink at the audience. Those who enjoy their horror with a heavy dose of wit and irreverence will find The Monkey to be an absolute riot.

The comedy in this film isn’t just present—it’s the engine that drives the story forward. The dialogue crackles with biting humor, and the performances lean into an exaggerated, almost cartoonish energy that enhances the absurdity of the unfolding chaos. There are multiple laugh-out-loud moments, often springing from the characters’ reactions to the increasingly bizarre and horrifying events. The juxtaposition of morbid situations with pitch-perfect comedic timing makes The Monkey a horror-comedy standout, cementing its place alongside films like Evil Dead 2 and Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper horror film without some serious gore, and The Monkey delivers in spades. The carnage is so outrageously over the top that it borders on slapstick, reminiscent of early Peter Jackson films like Dead Alive. Severed limbs fly, blood spurts in absurd geysers, and the sheer audacity of some of the kills will have you gasping and cackling in equal measure. The filmmakers know exactly what they’re doing here, pushing the violence to cartoonish extremes that make it impossible to take seriously. It’s the kind of film where you might feel guilty for laughing at the sheer spectacle of it all—almost.

The film’s director, Osgood Perkins, has already established himself as a master of the horror genre with films like The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel. While those films had a much more somber, atmospheric tone, The Monkey shows a different side of his talent. His ability to balance horror and humor, without undercutting the effectiveness of either, is impressive. It’s especially intriguing considering that Perkins is the son of the legendary Anthony Perkins, best known as Norman Bates in Psycho. Growing up with a father whose most famous role was that of an unhinged killer must have left an impression, and Osgood Perkins has carved out his own space in the horror world with a distinct voice.

Which brings us to one of the film’s most compelling undercurrents: the theme of absentee fathers and secrecy. Throughout The Monkey, there is a recurring motif of missing or emotionally distant fathers, and one can’t help but wonder if this is a reflection of Perkins’ own relationship with his father. Anthony Perkins was famously private about his personal life, and his struggles with identity and secrecy have been well documented. Is The Monkey a veiled commentary on that experience? It’s hard to say for certain, but there’s enough thematic weight here to make the question worth considering.

Ultimately, The Monkey is a wild, gory, and hilariously twisted ride. It may not be what some audiences expect, especially those looking for a traditional horror experience, but for those who appreciate dark humor and ridiculous levels of carnage, it’s a must-watch. Osgood Perkins continues to prove himself as a filmmaker with a unique vision, and this film might just be his most entertaining effort yet. - Dave Carey