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The Monkey: A King Adaptation with Historical Roots
The upcoming film The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins, is yet another chapter in the extensive legacy of Stephen King’s work in cinema. It pulls its narrative from King’s lesser-known short story of the same name, echoing a lineage that includes iconic adaptations such as Carrie, The Running Man, and The Shining. Interestingly, Perkins is not the first to interpret this tale; fans of The X-Files may recall the episode “Chinga,” which aired in 1998 and intriguingly shared a similar premise.
As part of a unique anthology in Season 5, the show’s creator Chris Carter sought out outside writers, which led to this unofficial take on King’s 1980 short story. The adaptation featured a haunted, Victorian doll in place of the iconic cymbal-clanging monkey, a strategic alteration likely made for legal considerations. Nevertheless, the foundations of “Chinga” remain evident, marking a notable instance where Carter’s vision preceded a formal cinematic version of the story.
Freak of the Week Goes Hollywood
During the height of the show’s popularity, Chris Carter took creative liberties by exploring narratives beyond the regular writer’s input. “Chinga” reflects this approach, set against the backdrop of Maine, an area often associated with King’s storytelling. Following this episode, notable cyberpunk author William Gibson contributed to an installment entitled “Kill Switch,” further showcasing Carter’s penchant for eclectic storytelling. While the ratings stayed consistent, some viewers were critical of the execution, feeling that the integration of King’s horror elements in a spoof-like manner diminished both the source material and the show’s quality.
According to Robert Shearman in his book Wanting to Believe, Carter’s adaptation may have inadvertently transitioned King’s straightforward horror into a parody without fully committing to either genre. This resulted in a narrative that arguably failed to meet the expectations of both King aficionados and loyal X-Files fans alike, leading to comparisons with other horror classics that had left more significant cultural impacts.
Mining the Back Catalog
Stephen King’s transition from page to screen has produced a myriad of adaptations, some memorable and others less so. While certain television adaptations, like Salem’s Lot, stand out, others, such as The Langoliers, have not aged graciously. The Monkey presents a distinct case in this landscape—its adaptation story somewhat obscured, leading to questions about its creative lineage compared to the aforementioned X-Files episode.
The alteration of the title is believed to stem from practical considerations, particularly in regions where “Chinga” bears a pejorative meaning. In those cases, the episode was humorously retitled “Bunghoney,” a choice that drew both chuckles and raised eyebrows from fans and censors alike.
King Leads the Retro-Horror Renaissance
The resurgence of interest in King’s extensive catalog comes as producers scramble to adapt his less mainstream works, spurred by the success of films like It and the cultural nostalgia encapsulated by series such as Stranger Things. With horror films claiming their rightful spot as consistent moneymakers within Hollywood, King’s portfolio presents untapped potential that he may not have envisioned during the less favorable view of adaptations in the 1990s.
Despite a temporary lull in popularity after projects like Sleepwalkers, which was met with mixed reviews, King’s work has seen a revival in recent times. New audiences are discovering his fiction, contributing to a renewed appreciation for his body of work. Currently, The Monkey is set for release, and episodes from The X-Files Season Five are available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and Prime Video.
Source
movieweb.com