Following a series of intense and suspenseful teasers, The Monkey is now on the verge of hitting theaters with a bang. (You can find io9’s review of the movie here.) io9 had the opportunity to sit down with writer-director Osgood Perkins, who achieved significant success with his previous film Longlegs, to discuss The Monkey ahead of its release. Similar to Longlegs, The Monkey is a horror movie, but it boasts a distinctly different tone, largely due to its origins as a Stephen King short story and Perkins’ own versatility as a filmmaker.

Cheryl Eddy, io9: What inspired you to incorporate a significant amount of humor into the film, which caught me off guard?

Osgood Perkins: I didn’t want to tackle a movie about an evil toy monkey with complete seriousness. Given the fleeting nature of life and the importance of bringing joy to people, especially during these chaotic times, I opted for a more light-hearted approach. I aimed to make a film about death that wouldn’t leave audiences feeling down.

io9: The Monkey presents a compelling argument that there’s always a fresh way to adapt Stephen King’s work. How does it feel to be part of this long-standing tradition, and what sets The Monkey apart from other adaptations?

Perkins: I believe it aligns with Creepshow and Misery as one of the more humorous Stephen King adaptations. From the outset, I wanted the film to be a tribute to King, acknowledging the significant impact he’s had on the world of horror. I sought to create a movie that felt true to his style without attempting to be something it’s not. King is known for his sense of humor and exploration of family dynamics, which I aimed to incorporate into the film.

io9: Has Stephen King seen the movie, and if so, what are his thoughts on it?

Perkins: King tweeted about the film, saying, “The Monkey is unlike any movie you’ve ever seen. It’s bat shit crazy. And as someone who is engaged in bat shittery from time to time, I say that with admiration.” I’ve memorized the quote because it’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my work. You can find his original post here.

io9: The film’s gore is quite graphic, with some very creative kill scenes. Did youcompile a list of “horrible ways to die” or what was the creative process behind these sequences?

Perkins: As a writer, I sit down daily and try to come up with ideas. I set a rule for myself that none of the deaths could be realistic, drawing inspiration from cartoons like Itchy and Scratchy or Wile E. Coyote. I aimed to create a sense of dark humor and absurdity in the film’s death scenes.

io9: Some viewers have compared The Monkey to the Final Destination movies. What are your thoughts on these comparisons?

Perkins: I don’t think much of it, as I’ve never actually seen a Final Destination movie. The comparison is likely due to the film’s Rube Goldberg-esque quality, but it wasn’t an intentional influence on my part.

io9: Elijah Wood’s character is quite detailed and specific. Was he based on anyone in particular, or what inspired his creation?

Perkins: He represents the archetype of the overconfident, self-assured parent who thinks they have all the answers. I wanted to create a character that would serve as a foil to Theo James’ character, Hal, and Elijah Wood’s character fits the bill.

io9: The “good twin/bad twin” theme is a common horror trope. What drew you to this idea, and how does it work within the context of The Monkey?

Perkins: I used the trope as a way to explore the idea that two people can have identical experiences but turn out to be vastly different. This theme is reflected in the story of Hal and his twin brother, and it adds an uncanny element to the film. I drew inspiration from my own relationship with my brother and the ways in which we’ve reacted differently to similar experiences.

The Monkey will be released in theaters on February 21.

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