Following early anticipation, critics have given The Monkey generally favorable reviews, with solid scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. Oz Perkins is the director of the horror-comedy, which is based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, with a mix of dark humor and gruesome horror. As its release nears, the film continues to draw attention for its chaotic storytelling and stylized violence.
The Monkey’s horror comedy reaps high praises in critic reviews
Neon’s The Monkey, an adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, is earning strong praise from critics.
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com highlighted the film’s distinctive tone, writing, “From the beginning, Perkins is playing with tone in a way that separates “The Monkey” from his more serious, somber fare.” Jeff Ewing of That Hashtag Show described it as “brilliant, bold, bloody” and “easily among the best horror-comedies we’ve had in years.”
The film’s humor and over-the-top violence have drawn comparisons to other horror comedies, with Boston Globe critic Odie Henderson noted, “Death not only has a sick sense of humor in this adaptation…it also has been studying Looney Tunes.”
While most reviews are positive, a few critics felt the film’s violence undermined its impact. The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck argued, “The problem is that the deaths are so cartoonish that they become neither horrific nor funny.”
The Monkey gets strong Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores
Upon release, The Monkey holds an 84% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from 94 critic reviews, as of writing. The film has also earned a 67 Metascore on Metacritic, reflecting generally favorable reception. Critics largely commend its seamless blend of horror and comedy, along with its fast-paced and engaging storytelling.
With widespread acclaim and some reservations, The Monkey is shaping up to be a standout horror-comedy. Whether audiences embrace its gory humor remains to be seen. However, Perkins’ adaptation is already generating buzz ahead of its February 21, 2025, theatrical release.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
