Stephen King’s Cursed Toy Brings Terror to Life in ‘The Monkey’

The highly anticipated trailer for The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins, has been unveiled, offering a tantalising glimpse into the eerie adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story. Starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood, the film promises a gripping blend of supernatural horror and psychological tension. Fans of King and Perkins alike can mark their calendars for 21 February 2025, when the film hits cinemas across the UK and Ireland.

The Monkey is the latest offering from Perkins, following his success with Longlegs. This time, he teams up with genre powerhouse James Wan, known for his work on The Conjuring and Saw. Together, they bring King’s unsettling tale to the big screen, crafting a story that delves deep into the haunting grip of childhood trauma and the chilling power of cursed relics.

The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, played by Theo James, as they reconnect 25 years after discovering a sinister wind-up monkey in their father’s attic. The cursed toy wreaked havoc on their family during their youth, triggering a series of gruesome and inexplicable deaths. Despite their attempts to rid themselves of the malevolent monkey, its influence resurfaces years later, forcing the estranged siblings to reunite and confront the dark force that tore their family apart.

Tatiana Maslany portrays the brothers’ mother, whose performance adds a layer of emotional complexity to the story, while Elijah Wood takes on the role of Ted Hammerman, a character pivotal to uncovering the monkey’s sinister secrets. The supporting cast includes Christian Convery and Colin O’Brien as the young Hal and Bill, along with Rohan Campbell and Sarah Levy, rounding out a stellar lineup that promises to captivate audiences.

The trailer teases a masterful blend of psychological unease and classic King-style horror, with haunting visuals and the ominous ticking of the monkey creating an atmosphere of unrelenting dread. There also looks to be a edge of dark humour, which will play nicely into Theo James’ skillset, having received acclaim for his role in the crime comedy series The Gentlemen.

With its unique mix of familial drama and supernatural terror, The Monkey is already tipped to stand out in 2025 as a must-see for fans of horror.

Produced by Black Bear and distributed by Neon in the US, the film’s release coincides with growing anticipation for faithful yet innovative adaptations of King’s work. We’ll share more news as it comes!

The Monkey trailer