Theo James, known for his roles in The White Lotus and Divergent , is set to star in the upcoming horror film The Monkey, an adaptation of Stephen King's short story. The film, directed by Osgood Perkins, follows the story of twin brothers Hal and Bill, played by James, who are haunted by a sinister toy monkey from their past. The trailer for The Monkey has recently been released, giving fans a glimpse into the gruesome and supernatural events that unfold as the brothers try to rid themselves of the cursed toy.
The trailer, which was released on October 16, 2024, introduces the cursed toy, which is discovered in the attic of the brothers' father's house. Initially, the twins try to throw the toy away, but when a series of gruesome deaths resumes years later, they are forced to reunite and embark on a mission to destroy the monkey before it claims more lives (Variety).
The cast of The Monkey includes Christian Convery as the younger versions of the brothers, alongside supporting roles by Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy. The film is set to premiere in theaters on February 21, 2025 (The Hindu).
Osgood Perkins, known for his work on Longlegs , which grossed over $90 million worldwide, is directing The Monkey. Perkins' previous film was a significant success, and it seems that The Monkey is poised to follow in its footsteps. The film is produced by James Wan and Michael Clear, among others, adding to its anticipation as one of 2025's most anticipated horror films (The Hindu).
The redband teaser for The Monkey hints at the toy being a supernatural entity with lethal capabilities. As voiced by James in the trailer, 'Whoever wields it, wields life and death,' adding 'And those fatalities are truly gruesome.' The trailer provides plenty of shocking visuals, showcasing fatalities caused by a hotel air conditioning unit, a hibachi grill, and even a fiery baby strollerdefinitely intense scenes (Mashable).
Theo James' dual roles as twin brothers Hal and Bill add an element of complexity to the story. The narrative centers around the twins' journey as they confront their past and the sinister toy that has haunted them for so long. James' portrayal of the brothers' struggle to reconcile and destroy the cursed toy is expected to be compelling, given his previous performances in various genres (Variety).
The supernatural horror movie is described as 'a really gory comedy' by Elijah Wood, who recently teased the upcoming Stephen King adaptation. Wood praised Perkins, calling him 'an extraordinary atmosphere master, an incredible filmmaker, and a great writer.' This is an exciting time for fans of horror and Stephen King adaptations, as The Monkey promises to deliver a unique blend of horror and comedy (CBR).
In addition to The Monkey, Neon will also be distributing another Stephen King adaptation titled The Life of Chuck, starring Tom Hiddleston. This drama movie centers around the life of Charles Krantz, whose story will be told in three separate parts in reverse, beginning from his death up to his early childhood. The film was written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who previously helmed the Stephen King adaptations of Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep (CBR).
Other Stephen King adaptations currently in development include a feature-length adaptation of The Long Walk at Lionsgate and Edgar Wright's film adaptation of The Running Man at Paramount. The latter is set to begin filming in November with Glen Powell and Katy O'Brian at the top of the cast list (CBR).
For more information on The Monkey and other upcoming horror films, visit Direct Post.
