Stephen King’s short story „The Monkey“ has inspired a new film adaptation that diverges significantly from the source material. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the movie presents a darker and more ambiguous conclusion than King’s original narrative.
In the film, characters Hal and his son Petey embark on a harrowing journey after a series of violent events, including the death of a character named Bill. Unlike the short story, which centers around a cursed monkey toy, Perkins‘ adaptation escalates the horror with a bizarre and apocalyptic finale.
The original short story features Hal attempting to dispose of the monkey, which plays cymbals and haunts him. After a struggle on a boat, Hal believes he has rid himself of the curse, only to discover in a newspaper article that the monkey’s influence persists, causing fish to rise to the surface of the lake.
While both versions maintain an element of ambiguity, the film’s conclusion is far more gruesome and chaotic. Perkins introduces elements such as a horseman of Death and graphic scenes that starkly contrast with King’s less intense ending.
This adaptation highlights a trend in film adaptations of King’s work, where filmmakers often choose to explore darker themes and expand upon the original storylines. The choice to amplify the horror in „The Monkey“ reflects the evolving landscape of horror cinema.
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