Stephen Kingadaptations have been a staple of cinema since 1976, when Brian De Palma’sCarrie, based on the king of horror’s debut novel, set a high bar for future adaptations. The 1980s saw a boom in such adaptations, including Stanley Kubrick’sThe Shining(1980),Cujo,Christine(both 1983),Pet Sematary(1989), and others.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence ofStephen King adaptations.It(2017) andIt Chapter Two(2019) introduced his classic tale of terror and camaraderie to a new audience, with the first film becoming the highest-grossing horror movie of all time. Mike Flanagan has emerged as one of the most lauded interpreters of King’s work, notably withDoctor Sleep(2019), which deftly bridges King’s novel with Kubrick’s vision ofThe Shining.
This year alone has seen the horror movieThe Monkey, Mike Flanagan’s existentialLife of Chuck, with the dystopian thrillerThe Long Walkand Edgar Wright’sThe Running Manremake still set for release in 2025.
The Monkey Is A Major Streaming Hit On Hulu
The Monkeyis now a major streaming hit on Hulu. Written and directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), based on Stephen King’s 1980 short story, the horror film follows twin brothers whose lives spiral into chaos as a cursed toy monkey begins causing increasingly gruesome and unpredictable deaths around them.
The Monkey’s castincludes Theo James in a dual role as identical twins alongside Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, three-time Emmy nominee Adam Scott (Severance), Elijah Wood, Tess Degenstein, Danica Dreyer, Laura Mennell, Nicco Del Rio, Kingston Chan, and Janet Kidder.
Now,The Monkeyranks first on Hulu’s Top 10 moviesin the United States for today, August 13. It ranks aboveThe Other Woman,The Amateur,The Devil Wears Prada,Sharp Corner,William Tell,Click,10 Things I Hate About You,Pretty Woman, andThe Proposal.
What The Monkey’s Streaming Success Means For The Movie
AfterThe Monkeyreceived rave reviewsfrom critics and enjoyed a solid theatrical run, the movie is now continuing its success streaming on Hulu. It’s darkly ingenious with a handful of unforgettably gruesome moments, cementing Perkins' status as a horror auteur while also showcasing his unexpected and twisted sense of humor.
The Monkeywas also a box office success, making over $68 million against its $10 million budget. However, the movie has been somewhat divisive, indicated by its 56% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. More entertaining than your average fright fest,The Monkeyserves up the promised gore while unfolding a predictable yet fairly enjoyable tale.
