'The Monkey' Breaks Records, Faces TV Ban

Osgood Perkins' film 'The Monkey,' based on Stephen King's short story, explores themes of generational trauma and the randomness of death through a darkly comedic lens. The film features Christian Convery as twin brothers Hal and Bill, who discover a cursed toy monkey that causes gruesome deaths. Unlike King's somber original, Perkins emphasizes absurdity and black humor, portraying death as both shocking and laughable. Notably, the film includes references to other King works, such as a character named Annie Wilkes, connecting it to the larger King universe. The film's trailer broke records before being banned from U.S. TV for excessive violence, and it features standout performances from Theo James and Tatiana Maslany, offering a unique, gore-filled take on horror that challenges viewers' perceptions of life's unpredictability.