Last year, Osgood Perkins broke into the mainstream with the box-office hit Longlegs. Not only did the film find success at the theater, but critics praised it for its atmospheric tension and gorgeous visuals. Less than a year later, Perkins teams with James Wan to adapt Stephen King’s short story “The Monkey.” Unlike his last film, The Monkey has a drastically different tone, delving deep into satire and absurdist humor, making this a riot from start to finish.

One of the standout aspects of The Monkey is the kills. The film takes a Final Destination approach to the carnage, with every death portrayed through bizarre accidents. The practical effects do an excellent job of portraying the character’s horrific experiences, while the editing perfectly builds the tension and unpredictability of the kills. I would argue that the film goes a step forward in its depiction of deaths compared to the Final Destination films, using ragdoll effects and excessively bloody body parts to emphasize a kill. The film’s insane representation of something as traumatising as death made for a relentlessly entertaining ride.

The cinematography by Nico Aguilar is surprisingly abrasive and extremely effective. Whether it is a picture hanging on the wall or shadow lurking in the background, everything is visible and full of life. The use of color makes every image beautiful to look at despite the horrific imagery at play. The high and low angle shots emphasize the power dynamics at play while bringing a sense of uneasiness throughout. Although it doesn’t top the visuals of Longlegs, this is still a meticulously shot film with many standout frames. 

Satire is a difficult genre to get right. It’s easy to craft something sloppy with a light-hearted tone and call it comedy, but it is extremely difficult to find the perfect balance between strong execution and a fun tone. The Monkey excels in this aspect, skillfully weaving bits of humor and social commentary about humanity, death and existentialism. Some may find the tone aggravating and its absurdity revolting, but I think it tows the line perfectly. 

Theo James is an actor I’ve never been a huge fan of. Only knowing his work from the Divergent franchise, I never got a full grasp of his talents. With The Monkey, he proves that he has range. Playing twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, James expertly portrays a sheltered father and his cruel counterpart in a believable manner. His comedic timing also made for some of the funniest moments in the film.

The story isn’t one that will leave you with much to think about, but I am glad it ended up that way. The last thing I want a horror/satire to give me is a provocative experience that is in need of a rewatch to fully comprehend. The Monkey fully explains the main themes and takeaways of the movie directly to the audience, which made for many hilarious sequences. A scene involving a closet and a car ride after a horrific accident are two examples of spoon feeding a message done right. 

Although The Monkey doesn’t attempt to take itself seriously, there are some moments that are meant to garner emotion that I found to be lackluster. One of the main arcs of the film is the relationship between Hal and his son, Petey. I understand the story’s purpose in the film as it relates to themes of living and moving on from tragedy, but I never sensed a true bond between the characters. They have solid back-and-forth moments, but there wasn’t enough for me to care about where their relationship ended up.

The relationship between Hal and Bill is another aspect that I was not as invested in. Much like Hal and Petey, I understand its inclusion, but I couldn’t find myself attached to their conflict. The film openly makes fun of how silly their feud is by the end, which I liked, but that doesn’t make up for the moments prior that slowed the film down. It is far from the worst character arcs I’ve seen in a horror movie, but I can’t imagine many people being invested in their relationship. 

Far from the sinister work of Longlegs, The Monkey is still another successful film from Osgood Perkins. His comedic take on Final Destination made for a unique and worthwhile experience. While some may be agitated at the overexaggerated kills and ridiculous tone, I couldn’t help but smile my way through the movie. Perkins is easily one of the best horror filmmakers working today, and I will always be seated for whatever he does next. 

The Monkey will be in theaters nationwide on February 21.

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