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Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for The Monkey
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Who Dies the Most Gruesome Death in ‘The Monkey’?
‘The Monkey’s Best Kill Is Bee-utifilly Absurd
Just a year after the successful horror film Longlegs, director Oz Perkins returns with The Monkey, a movie that demonstrates his versatility in blending genres. While the film may not evoke the same pervasive dread as his previous work, it introduces a comedic element alongside its frightening sequences. This allows the narrative to attract both horror enthusiasts and those looking for a good laugh.
Adapted from Stephen King’s short story, The Monkey centers on a wind-up monkey that, whenever wound, leads to the untimely death of a chosen individual. The concept may easily lean into farce, but Perkins skillfully embraces its quirky essence. The film is marked by what many anticipate will be the most gruesome deaths of 2025, characterized by excessive bloodshed that could rival even the most outrageous animated parodies. However, there’s one particular death that stands out as a highlight of the entire film.
4 /5
Release Date February 19, 2025
Runtime 98 Minutes
Director Osgood Perkins
Writers Osgood Perkins
Producers John Rickard, Natalia Safran, Ali Jazayeri, Chris Ferguson, Fred Berger, Giuliana Bertuzzi, James Wan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, John Friedberg, Jason Cloth, David Gendron, Michael Clear, Jesse Savath, Peter Luo, Dave Caplan
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Who Dies the Most Gruesome Death in ‘The Monkey’?
Midway through The Monkey, the narrative jumps ahead by 25 years, introducing twins Hal and Bill Shelburn, who mistakenly believed they escaped the monkey’s curse by tossing it down a well. However, the implications of their past resurface when the monkey reappears, resulting in the death of Aunt Ida following its reactivation. This sets the stage for an estate sale where Ricky, the son of a police officer, becomes intrigued by the sinister toy and purchases it.
However, it is quickly disclosed that Ricky has been enlisted by Bill, who harbors resentment towards Hal and is intent on revenge, blaming him for their mother’s tragic passing. Despite numerous attempts, the monkey consistently fails to kill Hal, prompting Bill to hire Ricky to abduct Hal and his son, Petey. Under the guise of his father’s uniform, Ricky manipulates Petey into entering Bill’s home, where Petey inadvertently activates the monkey.
Ricky’s fate takes a dark turn when, despite the new key-turner, Hal survives yet again. Instead, Ricky meets a particularly gruesome demise while waiting with Hal in his father’s police car. A stray bullet accidentally strikes the windshield, and to Ricky’s dismay, they find themselves parked next to a hornet’s nest.
A swarm of angry bees bursts out of the hive, invading Ricky’s mouth and fatally stinging him from the inside, culminating in a grim yet darkly comedic scene that emphasizes the film’s R-rating. The combination of horror and comedic timing in this sequence leads to an unexpectedly amusing death, reminiscent of infamous lines from classic horror film fans.
‘The Monkey’s Best Kill Is Bee-utifilly Absurd
The effectiveness of The Monkey lies in its unabashed willingness to embrace the ludicrous and over-the-top elements without succumbing to the constraints of realism. While other filmmakers might amplify the horror of a character’s demise, Perkins instead opts for a lighter, more zany approach to the killings, which feels appropriate given the film’s supernatural elements.
Ricky’s exit particularly exemplifies this balance between absurdity and entertainment. The visual of the entire swarm targeting Ricky proves to be a moment that transcends logic in the most enjoyable manner. While some may critique the evident use of CGI, it aligns perfectly with the film’s whimsical tone, resulting in an outcome that is both visually absurd and oddly fitting within the narrative.
Rohan Campbell, who portrayed Ricky, shared his excitement regarding his character’s chaotic end. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Campbell expressed his enthusiasm about the inventive death scene, prioritizing the well-being of the bees involved while expressing admiration for how it ultimately turned out on screen.
Amidst a roster of spectacularly outrageous deaths, Ricky’s finale reigns supreme in seamlessly intertwining humor and terror. Even if The Monkey had faltered elsewhere (which it certainly does not), its unforgettable bee scene promises a viewing experience that sets a formidable standard for cinematic deaths in the horror genre this year. The Monkey is currently showing in theaters.
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movieweb.com