Monkey Director Swears Off Stephen King Films: Despite 79% RT Success, Here’s Why!

The Monkey, a film directed by Osgood Perkins, is a cinematic take on Stephen King’s spine-chilling short story from 1980 bearing the same title. The narrative revolves around twin brothers, Bill and Hal, who encounter terrifying events triggered by their father’s old monkey toy, leading to a chain of horrific deaths. The cast includes notable actors such as Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, and Elijah Wood. Garnering a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Monkey has been well-received by critics.

In an interview with The Kingcast, Perkins shared his thoughts on why he prefers not to continue adapting Stephen King’s works after The Monkey. He expressed a desire to avoid repetition in his career, aiming to bring new and unique content to the screen each time. He highlighted this approach with his upcoming 2024 film, Longlegs, mentioning that any potential sequel would have to be distinctly different from the original. Below is Perkins’ full statement:

“At this point in my career, the thrill comes from knowing that each project I take on is unique. So, the idea of a Longlegs 2? It’s expected. Everyone seems to want it. But would it resemble the first? Absolutely not. It would have to be completely its own entity. As for adapting another King novel – it’s hard to imagine. The Monkey feels like a complete, successful venture on its own. We took a gamble with it, especially since combining horror and comedy often raises eyebrows in the industry.”

Implications for Perkins’ Future Films

Beyond Just Profit: Perkins’ Artistic Vision

Perkins’ approach is not driven by mere financial gain. Longlegs has proven to be a substantial success, grossing over $126 million with a modest budget under $10 million, and ranking as the third highest-grossing horror film domestically, outperforming sequels like Smile 2 and Terrifier 3. His decision not to pursue a conventional sequel to Longlegs underscores his commitment to innovative and risky artistic choices, rather than the safer route of sequels.

With films like Longlegs and The Monkey, Perkins demonstrates his preference for diverse and contrasting projects. While both films fall under the horror genre, they differ significantly in tone and style—Longlegs delves into psychological depths and conspiracies, whereas The Monkey embraces horror-comedy and extravagant gore. These variations affirm Perkins’ commitment to diversity in his filmmaking.

Perspectives on Perkins’ Career Decisions

Influenced by Family Legacy

Understanding Perkins’ background can provide additional insight into his career choices. He is the son of the late Anthony Perkins, famously known for his role as Norman Bates in Psycho. Although the original film is iconic, attempts to recreate the Hitchcock masterpiece have often received lukewarm responses. This familial connection may subtly influence Perkins’ reluctance to revisit or remake classic narratives, opting instead for originality in his projects, much like his approach with The Monkey.