With Osgood Perkins at the helm and James Wan producing, the latest King horror story promises a chilling cinematic experience

Stephen King’s eerie story “The Monkey,” originally penned in 1980 and featured in his 1985 collection “Skeleton Crew,” is set to terrify audiences anew in a star-studded film adaptation. While James Wan, celebrated for his contributions to horror with “Saw,” “Insidious,” and “The Conjuring,” is attached as a producer, the directorial reins have been handed to Osgood “Oz” Perkins. Known for his unique, atmospheric contributions to the genre with films like “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” and “Gretel & Hansel,” Perkins is poised to bring a fresh and haunting perspective to King’s tale.

The film has recently wrapped production, boasting an impressive ensemble cast that includes Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy. This diverse group of actors, known for their roles in everything from “The White Lotus” to “Sweet Tooth,” promises to bring depth and intrigue to the adaptation.

“The Monkey” spins a grim narrative around young twin brothers, Hal and Bill, portrayed by Christian Convery in their youth, who discover an ominous monkey toy capable of unleashing a wave of deadly consequences. The story leaps forward, with Theo James portraying the adult versions of the brothers as they face the resurgence of the monkey’s malevolence.

Stephen King’s original work, while not among his most lauded, presents a fertile ground for Perkins’s directorial vision. The adaptation’s potential to exceed expectations is bolstered by the talented cast and the creative guidance of Wan and Perkins. As the film gears up for its release, horror enthusiasts and King devotees alike await what promises to be a riveting addition to the canon of cinematic adaptations of the author’s work.

With “The Monkey,” audiences can anticipate a film that not only explores the dark recesses of childhood fears but also examines the haunting repercussions of the past. As the project moves towards its debut, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Stephen King’s storytelling and the innovative spirit of contemporary horror cinema