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“The Monkey” is currently showing in theaters.
Directed by Osgood Perkins, “Longlegs” brings to life a chilling short story by Stephen King, featured in his collection “Skeleton Crew.” The film stars Theo James as twin brothers grappling with the ominous presence of a wind-up monkey, a figure responsible for a series of gruesome and often spectacular fatalities surrounding them. The central question emerges: can they find a way to break the curse before the monkey unleashes further chaos?
While “The Monkey” stands as a highlight in a remarkable year for genre films that also includes titles like “Companion” and “Heart Eyes,” it raises an intriguing point of discussion. This time, it’s not about the conclusion of the story—but rather its inception.
Let’s delve into the movie’s opening scene, which comes with insights from Perkins. Warning: Spoilers ahead, especially if you prefer to remain blissfully unaware of any plot twists before viewing.
So, we’re not focusing on the ending?
Correct. The promotional material has made it clear: the fate of the characters is grim. The overarching theme is that everyone meets a fatal end.
Everyone?
Well, nearly everyone.
So let’s discuss the beginning.
The film opens with a tense scene featuring a character portrayed by Adam Scott, who frantically rushes into a pawn shop. The pawn shop owner is taken aback by Scott’s bloodied appearance, to which Scott reassures him that the blood isn’t his. The urgency of his visit is revealed as he tries to dispose of the disconcerting monkey statue—a grotesque, oversized figure that plays a drum. He cautions the owner against turning the key located in the monkey’s back, warning that dire consequences will ensue. Unfortunately, the key is turned, leading to a horrific outcome: the shop owner is impaled by a harpoon, which also results in grotesque injuries to Scott’s character. In desperation, he sets the pawn shop ablaze, yet the ominous monkey remains unscathed.
This gripping introduction effectively establishes the chilling tone of the film.
What’s the underlying question?
Interestingly, Scott’s character does not reappear in subsequent scenes. It leaves audiences pondering the timeline of events: is this man a prior owner of the cursed monkey, or is he a character trying to rid himself of the malevolent object after the main story unfolds?
Let’s hear from Osgood Perkins.
Perkins clarifies that Scott plays the father of the twin brothers, portrayed as adults by Theo James. He elaborates, “That’s the airline pilot dad, whose uniform is hanging up in the closet. He thinks, ‘I thought the boys would cherish this, but trust me, they will not.’ This character is Captain Petey Shelburn, who has owned the monkey for some time, and it’s clearly brought about trouble. He’s covered in someone else’s blood, and is attempting to send the monkey back to its hellish origin.” Immediately following the pawn shop incident, the boys’ father vanishes, leaving their mother, played by Tatiana Maslany, to raise them alone.
Is there additional lore to consider?
No, and that was a purposeful choice.
Perkins explains, “The intent was to define the rules rather than delve into mythology. There’s no intricate backstory in this movie; we simply lay out how the monkey operates and establish its dark humor through a brief, punchy vignette that serves as a comedic moment.” Ba-doom-cha!
Is there anything else of note?
Just that the remainder of the film remains equally twisted and unpredictable.
“The Monkey” is in theaters now.
Source
www.thewrap.com