*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Turn the key and see what happens…”

The Monkey released in theaters on February 21st 2025. The American horror comedy film (based on the short story by Stephen King) stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Colin O’Brien, Elijah Wood, Rohan Campbell, and Adam Scott. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

When twin brothers discover a strange wind-up toy, they soon realize that it may be causing horrific deaths around them. Twenty-five years later, a new killing spree begins, forcing them to confront the toy once again.

Here is the trailer:

The Monkey doesn’t hold anything back, presenting us with violent and shocking kills while still having some fun. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Cringe-worthy kills.

If you enjoy films like Final Destination, then this is the film for you. The kills are outrageous, extreme, and stomach-turning. You won’t be disappointed and I was pleased that the trailer didn’t ruin them all.

I also really liked the dry humor included in this. I was worried that this movie might take itself too seriously, but it went with the bonkers concept and just had fun, making this a blast to experience in theaters.

Theo James stole the show!

My new favorite genre is Theo James covered in blood! He was absolutely fantastic in this! Normally I hate voice-over narrations, but I enjoyed listening to him. The past and the present timelines were equally interesting and a lot of that has to do with the cast.

Tatiana Maslany was great as well and it was fun seeing a lot of familiar faces pop up in this one.

The Cons:

Sluggish pacing in the second half.

I think I preferred the first half of this film to the second. Don’t get me wrong…I liked the second half too and that’s where Theo James shined, but there were some pacing issues. The movie was only an hour and thirty-five minutes, but it felt like it was dragging a little bit until we got to the final act. I think we could have wrapped things up a little bit quicker.

That’s really my only con. I thought everything else came together seamlessly.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!!

The Monkey is a bonkers and bloody watch!

Theo James is a lot of fun in this one. I highly recommend it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Monkey in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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