Bloodied Theo James: First Look at Stephen King's 'The Monkey'
Theo James is set to star in a dual role, playing twin brothers plagued by a cursed toy monkey in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's chilling short story. The first look teaser, which debuted alongside screenings of the horror film *Cuckoo*, showcases a bloodied James, hinting at the gruesome events that unfold in *The Monkey*.
The film, directed and written by Osgood Perkins (known for *Longlegs*), follows the story of twin brothers Hal and Bill, played as children by Christian Convery, who unearth their father's old toy monkey in the attic. This discovery ignites a chain of mysterious and violent deaths. Determined to escape the curse, the boys dispose of the monkey, but years later, as adults, the deadly occurrences resume. Now estranged, the brothers must reunite to confront their shared past and finally destroy the cursed object.
James portrays the adult twins, showcasing his range by navigating both sides of the complex sibling dynamic. The teaser also features an ensemble cast, including Tatiana Maslany (*She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*), Elijah Wood (*The Lord of the Rings*), Colin O'Brien (*Wonka*), Rohan Campbell (*The Hardy Boys*), and Sarah Levy (*Schitt's Creek*).
Perkins describes *The Monkey
as a "playful comedy" infused with "excessive gore and language," effectively capturing the dark and humorous spirit of Stephen King's work. He draws inspiration from the author's earlier works, such as *Creepshow* and *Misery*, aiming to create a film that feels authentically Kingian.
"I wanted to embrace the humor of Stephen King," Perkins explained. "I wanted to be more on the side of *Creepshow
and *Misery*, and I wanted the movie to feel like a Stephen King movie to really honour the guy. I mean, he's the most significant writer...ever? In any genre, prolifically, just in terms of impact. Certainly for the horror genre, whether it be literature or movies, there's no one who's contributed more. So it's time to really honour the dude. I really made a movie that I hoped he would like."
Production on *The Monkey
concluded in March 2023. Neon will release the film in cinemas on 21 February 2025, promising a chilling and darkly comedic experience that pays homage to the master of horror himself.
