Following the success of “Longlegs,” writer-director Osgood Perkins is set to release another supernatural horror film titled “The Monkey.” The trailer, which features a darkly humorous tone alongside unsettling imagery, was recently unveiled by Neon and the film is scheduled to hit theaters early next year.
“The Monkey” is adapted from a short story by Stephen King from his 1980 collection “Skeleton Crew.” The narrative revolves around twin brothers, Hal and Bill, who discover a disturbing monkey toy in their attic. As mysterious and violent events unfold, the brothers decide to dispose of the toy. Over the years, their relationship deteriorates, but they are drawn back together when the monkey returns. The young Hal and Bill are portrayed by Christian Convery (“Sweet Tooth”) and Emmy nominee Theo James (“The White Lotus,” “The Gentlemen”) in their adult roles, respectively.
The supporting cast includes Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany (“She-Hulk,” “Orphan Black”), Elijah Wood (“The Lord of The Rings”), and several others, contributing to a robust ensemble.
Produced by acclaimed horror filmmaker James Wan (“The Conjuring”) alongside a team that includes Michael Clear, Dave Caplan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and Chris Ferguson, this film marks the second collaboration between Perkins and Neon after the success of “Longlegs.” That film has become Neon’s highest-grossing project as well as the highest-grossing independent film of 2024, reportedly earning over $100 million against a budget of less than $10 million.
“The Monkey” is poised to release approximately six months after “Longlegs,” and if it performs well, it could draw comparisons to the back-to-back successes of Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” and “Midsommar,” which were released a year apart in 2018 and 2019.
