Neon Capitalizes on the Momentum of 'Longlegs' with a Sinister Glimpse into Osgood Perkins' Upcoming Masterpiece, 'The Monkey'
Neon has cunningly leveraged the success of its preceding hit, 'Longlegs,' by unveiling the first haunting teaser trailer for director Osgood Perkins' eagerly anticipated next venture, 'The Monkey,' ahead of its theatrical premiere on February 21, 2025. This eerie sneak peek serves as a chilling invitation into a world of terror and intrigue.
The trailer, released on Monday, showcases a star-studded cast, with Theo James taking on a dual role as twins Bill and Hal at the center of the narrative. Joining him in this macabre journey are Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy, each poised to deliver performances that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
The brief yet impactful footage immerses viewers in a sinister atmosphere, where a toy monkey's playful snare drumming is abruptly interrupted by a violent splash of blood, mirroring the fate of James' character. This shocking turn is underscored by carnival-inspired music, creating a sense of unease and foreboding that lingers long after the trailer ends.
'The Monkey' revolves around the discovery of a mysterious monkey toy belonging to their father, hidden away in the attic, by the inseparable twins Bill and Hal. This innocuous find unravels a sinister chain of events, leading to a series of gruesome deaths that will test the bond between the brothers and push them to the brink of madness.
With each frame meticulously crafted to evoke fear and suspense, 'The Monkey' promises to be a cinematic experience that haunts the minds of viewers long after the credits roll. Neon has once again proven its prowess in delivering groundbreaking horror narratives, and 'The Monkey' is poised to be yet another masterpiece in its illustrious lineup.
Perkins, with pen and vision alike, crafted and helmed "The Monkey," a cinematic gem deeply rooted in Stephen King's eponymous short story, first unearthed in 1980. The production boasts an esteemed lineup of producers, including Dave Caplan, Michael Clear, Chris Ferguson, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and the multi-faceted James Wan, whose recent endeavors encompass the captivating series "The Gentlemen" and "The White Lotus," alongside a voiceover stint in the nostalgic "X-Men '97."
Perkins, riding the wave of triumph from "Longlegs," a genre-bending masterpiece starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage that stormed theaters last month, has shattered records, surpassing even the monumental success of "Parasite" as Neon's highest-grossing title to date. In a recent sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter, promoting the juggernaut that is "Longlegs," Perkins unveiled a tantalizing glimpse into "The Monkey," revealing it to be a comedic departure from his previous endeavors.
"Envisioning it as a modern-day homage to the wit and whimsy of John Landis, Joe Dante, or Robert Zemeckis, I seized the chance to weave a darkly humorous, absurdist tapestry around the inescapable truth of mortality," the filmmaker enthused. "Delving into the absurdity of our inevitable demise—how hilariously bizarre, impossible, and surreal it all is—I found that a tragicomic approach fit the narrative like a glove. It's about embracing the absurd and laughing in the face of death."
Perkins elaborated, "At its core, 'The Monkey' may inhabit the haunted-toy subgenre, but I couldn't fathom tackling it with a straight face. The idea of a somber treatment felt utterly contrived to me. So, I took a sharp left turn, opting for a comedic spin that feels authentic and refreshingly unconventional."
