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Roadside Attractions has released the first trailer for “Twinless,” the Audience Award-winning dark comedy from James Sweeney that debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The movie stars Sweeney alongside Dylan O’Brien as two young men who meet at a twin bereavement support group and forge an unlikely friendship. Each finds that the other fills their missing half, and they become inseparable. However, as the friendship expands, it becomes evident that both are holding secrets, some of them dark and dangerous. It is a story about identity, grief and the strange nature of friendship.

A writer, director, producer and actor, Sweeney came to prominence with his debut feature, “Straight Up,” which premiered at Outfest in 2019 and received a limited theatrical release from Strand Releasing in 2020. His singular brand of queer comedy is both sweet and intense, with relatable characters and unexpected twists.

Republic Pictures developed “Twinless” with Sweeney and David Permut serving as producers.

Exclusive: Hot Tub Time Machine franchise filmmaker Steve Pink has set the cast for his new comedy What the F*ck Is My Password?! with Alexander Ludwig, Poppy Liu, Ricky Staffieri, Stephen Dorff, Kate Walsh and Sarah Grey.

Cameras rolls in August in New Jersey on the Public House Pictures production.

Written by Jeff Morris (True Memoirs of an International Assassin), from a story by Morris and

Pink, pic follows a guy who learns he invested in bitcoin while drunk on graduation night more than 13 years ago—and is now worth more than 200 million dollars. A new future and wealth beyond his wildest dreams await him—if he can just remember his goddamn password. After his first attempt fails, he’s horrified to discover he only has four tries and seven days to figure out what it is, or he loses the money forever.

Ludwig Jonny Marlow

Ludwig said in a statement,...

Some stories start not with a bang, but with a strange, unsettling stillness. Alma & the Wolf opens on Deputy Ren Accord (Ethan Embry) standing in his hometown of Spiral Creek with a look that suggests he’s already disconnected from his own life.

The atmosphere feels immediately off, like booting up an indie game where the physics are just slightly wrong. The real inciting incident arrives when Ren discovers Alma (Li Jun Li), a bloodied figure from his high school past, cradling her dead dog. Her story is a wild one: a massive wolf, flanked by a herd of goats, mauled her pet.

Coming from someone the town knows has a difficult relationship with alcohol, her plea for justice sounds like a tall tale. The film doesn’t wait to ask for your belief; it simply presents its bizarre premise and asks, “What now?”

Is there a monster in these woods,...

The horror film Alma & the Wolf is set to receive a theatrical and digital release this Friday, June 20th – and to help you decide whether or not you’re going to be watching this movie in a few days, we have the trailer embedded above.

Directed by Michael Patrick Jann from a screenplay written by Abigail Miller, the film has the following synopsis: After a violent animal attack, paranoia spreads through Spiral Creek. But when Deputy Ren Accord gets too close, his son vanishes, and reality begins to fracture. This appears to be somewhat of a werewolf movie, with a whole lot of mind-boggling “what the hell is going on?” trickery mixed in.

Jann’s previous directing credits include Drop Dead Gorgeous, Organ Trail, and episodes of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Daybreak, The Good Doctor, Ghosted, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Atypical, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Last Man on Earth,...

Sundance didn’t have the plethora of late night bidding wars we used to see in the good old days of the festival, but a number of buzziest titles are actually closing deals late into the spring and into the early summer. Over 60 films came into this year’s Sundance looking for homes, and slowly but surely a number of those are finding homes. As we previously reported, the hope was that even more distributors could get creative.

Below we’ll update all the acquisitions following the festival as they arrive.

“Hal & Harper”

Section: Indie Episodics

Buyer: Mubi

Director: Cooper Raiff

Buzz: The “Shithouse” and “Cha Cha Real Smooth” writer/director’s serialized debut follows two tight-knit siblings forced to face a past tragedy when their dad decides to sell their childhood home. It’s got a strong cast, including Raiff himself, Mark Ruffalo, Betty Gilpin, and Lili Reinhart,...

Vertical has acquired North American rights to William Kaufman’s sci-fi thriller “Osiris,” starring Max Martini, Brianna Hildebrand, Lamonica Garrett, Linds Edwards and Linda Hamilton.

Written by Kaufman and Paul Reichelt, “Osiris” follows “a team of Special Forces commandos in the middle of an operation who are abducted by a mysterious spacecraft. When they wake up aboard the ship, they quickly discover they are being hunted by a merciless alien race,” according to a press release.

“Working with Max Martini for a second time, Linda Hamilton, Brianna Hildebrand and the legendary creature effects maestro Todd Masters, along with the rest of our exceptional cast and crew, to bring this old-school action sci-fi thriller to life was just incredible,” Kaufman said in a statement.

“We filmed the movie as practically as possible from the aliens, set builds, and stunts – all to stay true to the movies we love. We are thrilled...

Exclusive: Leading indie production finance company Tpc has planted a flag in another major hub, acquiring Australian group Mind the Gap Film Finance.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which follows Tpc’s expansion into the U.K., where it recently launched operations, and its acquisition of Media Capital Group in Vancouver.

Founded by Michael Agar in 2016, Melbourne-based Mind the Gap has financed more than 250 productions across both scripted and unscripted formats including Oscar-nominated Memoir of a Snail, Lesbian Space Princess (Teddy Award winner in Berlin) and Sundance-premiering Jimpa.

“This acquisition not only expands our presence in Australia but also opens the door to financing opportunities throughout the region,” said Tpc President and CEO David Gendron in a statement. “As global production becomes increasingly decentralized, producers now have more freedom to film wherever the economics make sense.”

The announcement comes after Donald Trump’s bombshell move Sunday to...

Exclusive: Film Bridge International has wrapped filming in New Jersey and New York on action-thriller The Florist, starring Dennis Quaid (The Substance), Jean Reno (Léon: The Professional), and Sky Katz (Raven’s Home).

Babak Najafi (London Has Fallen) directs from a script written by Eran Creevy (Welcome To The Punch) and Scott Windhauser (Mafia Wars). The film also features Anna Schafer (The Trials of Cate McCall) and Leonidas Gulaptis (A Nice Girl Like You).

Pic follows Carl Rikker (Dennis Quaid), an introverted, quiet horticulturist who loves his day job. However, he holds a dark secret – at night, he moonlights as a ruthless assassin. His identity is threatened when he forms an unlikely friendship with a teenage girl.

Film Bridge has secured international distribution partners including Square One (Germany), Mediaset (Italy and Spain), Monolith Films (Poland), Rialto Films (Australia/Nz), Cinesky (Airlines/Ships), Falcon Films (Middle East), Spenztos (Greece), and Pt Prima...

“Twinless” has finalized a sale to Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. The twisted comedic drama, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival, will land in theaters on Sept. 5.

Roadside will release the film in the U.S. while Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will distribute internationally.

Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney star in “Twinless,” which follows two friends who meet in a twin bereavement support group and form an unlikely bond. At Sundance, “Twinless” won the audience award and O’Brien was recognized for best performance for his leading dual role as twin brothers.

Sweeney wrote, directed and produced the movie, which co-stars Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham, Tasha Smith, Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Susan Park and Cree Cicchino.

“I’m delighted to pair up with Roadside and Lionsgate to bring our film into theaters nationwide,” said Sweeney. “I’m holding ample space for ‘Twinless’ and look forward to overthinking future press quotes.”

Roadside...

Oscar-winner and controversial Hollywood star Mel Gibson remains popular with audiences, as the Braveheart and Lethal Weapon actor’s severely panned 2022 action thriller dominates free streaming. Gibson, who remains a polarizing figure following issues with alcohol and a series of controversies, including well-publicized antisemitic tirades, homophobic comments, and a domestic violence-related restraining order, was recently appointed a "Special Ambassador" for Hollywood by President Donald Trump. And, clearly, audiences still find Gibson a magnetic screen presence...especially when it's free.

Directed and produced by James Cullen Bressack, and starring Kevin Dillon, Shannen Doherty, and Michael Welch alongside Gibson, the action thriller Hot Seat is now #1 on free streaming platform Freevee, with audiences loving this tale of an anonymous criminal who plants a bomb under the chair of an ex-hacker, forcing him to break into several high-level banking institutions. You can check out the official synopsis for Hot Seat below.

RelatedMel Gibson...

Quick LinksHow Much Has 'The Monkey' Made at the Box Office?What’s Next for 'The Monkey' Director Osgood Perkins?

Written and directed by Osgood Perkins, The Monkey recently hit theaters, and the comedy-horror film is certified fresh according to Rotten Tomatoes. With its Tomatometer currently at 79% and its Popcornmeter a bit lower at 60%, the movie has clearly been well received. Based on the Stephen King short story of the same name, the film follows twin brothers, Bill and Hal (Theo James), and the murderous monkey toy they find as children that belonged to their father. What followed their seemingly benign discovery was a series of outrageous and gruesome deaths that ultimately destroyed their family.

After throwing away the toy, the brothers moved on with their lives and eventually grew apart. However, when the monkey resurfaces and begins a new killing spree 25 years later, the estranged brothers are...

The release of The Monkey marks a continuation of Stephen King's long and weird film career. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film reaches far back into King's past for material, now joining the ranks of other King adaptations like Carrie, The Running Man, and The Shining. However, as it turns out, Perkins isn't the first to bring this supposedly untouched short story to life. Kudos to you X-File fanatics who recall the episode “Chinga” in 1998, which used this same plot.

As part of a special series in Season 5, creator Chris Carter recruited some ringers to guest write. The result was an unofficial adaptation of King’s 1980 short story, “The Monkey,” swapping out the cymbal-clutching monkey for a creepy, haunted, Victorian Doll. Perhaps for legal reasons, the story was modified, concealing the origins. But enough of the core elements remain to trace the provenance of "Chinga." That short story is...

Quick LinksWhat Is 'The Monkey' About?How Does 'The Monkey' Connect to the Stephen King Universe?

The Monkey is the most recent big-screen adaptation of a work by Stephen King. Written and directed by modern horror auteur Osgood Perkins, The Monkey is, however, unlike any other Stephen King movie you've seen. Boasting dark humor and extreme gore, the film is a scary statement about our species' relationship with death, all under the premise of a cursed toy that can cause mayhem at the pace of its drumming abilities.

It sounds far-fetched, but it's exactly what Perkins aims for with his unique take on the Stephen King short story that can be found in the 1985 anthology Skeleton Crew. However, fans of the author should not fear Perkins' manipulation of the story to make it all a bit more cinematic. You will find plenty of King's spirit in The Monkey, as funny...

The following contains minor spoilers for The Monkey.

Stephen King has become an authority online on films, whether they are based on his works or not. He often shares reviews for horror or sci-fi films but he is also very open about his adaptations and doesn't mind being upfront if he doesn't like them.

Luckily, his latest adaptation The Monkey came with a positive review from the critically acclaimed author. King previously shared a review online, and director Osgood "Oz" Perkins also shared he had a positive reaction to the many changes, including turning it into a dark comedy. Speaking to IGN, King admitted he "howled" at some of the deaths in the film.

RelatedThe Monkey Director Explains How the Violent Stephen King Movie Comes From an 'Autobiograpical Place'

Osgood Perkins discusses his personal relationship with death and how it helped to shape his latest horror film - The Monkey.

Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for The Monkey

Quick LinksWho Dies the Most Gruesome Death in 'The Monkey'?'The Monkey's Best Kill Is Bee-utifilly Absurd

Just one year after unleashing the breakout horror smash Longlegs upon the world, Oz Perkins seems poised to make lightning strike twice with The Monkey. And while Perkins’ new film doesn’t match the ominous atmosphere of his previous work, it does allow him to further showcase his range as a director and to deliver big laughs alongside his now-signature scares. In fact, it’s every bit as much a comedy as it is a horror film.

Based on a Stephen King short story of the same name, The Monkey revolves around, you guessed it, a wind-up monkey that, whenever activated, brings death upon a random individual. It’s a premise that, on paper, could easily verge on self-parody, but Perkins wisely leans into the absurdity of it all.

The Monkey marked the second-biggest opening for Neon, but the film simply didn’t make enough money to outperform Captain America: Brave New World. The latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe repeated as the No. 1 movie at the box office over the weekend with an estimated $28.2 million domestically. However, filmmaker and star Osgood "Oz" Perkins' The Monkey still managed to bring in $14.2 million to secure second place.

Captain America 4 dropped a staggering 68% between its first and second weekends of release, but the Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford-led superhero flick still managed to attract audiences, particularly on Saturday, Feb. 22. That marked the only day over the weekend that Sam Wilson (Mackie) and President “Thunderbolt” Ross/Red Hulk’s (Ford) film managed to bring in more than $10 million ($12.8 million). Now, in fairness, it's been a rocky road for the MCU over the last couple of years at the box office.

The Monkeywriter and director Osgood Perkins opens up about the close-to-home inspirations for the film.

Speaking to Variety, Perkins openly discussed his personal relationship with death, specifically the deaths of his parents, Psycho star Anthony Perkins and model Berry Berenson, who passed from AIDs and as a passenger on one of the flights tragically hijacked on September 11, 2001, respectively. "I'm certainly writing from an autobiographical place, given that I sustained some pretty insane kind of deaths in my life," Perkins said.

Related'It Is Very Violent': Kevin Bacon Hypes New Horror Series While Reflecting on His Friday the 13th Role

Kevin Bacon explains why fan-favorite slasher movies from the '70s and '80s are "narrow-minded morality tales" while promoting his new horror show.

"I think that if I had written this movie when I was 29, it would have been pretty sad. But now that I'm 51, it’s a pretty funny movie,...

Osgood “Oz” Perkins’ dark comedy-horror film The Monkeyopened Feb. 21 and is already headed toward a $13.5-$14 million opening weekend at the box office. Per Deadline, the film, distributed by Neon, is expected to become Neon’s second-highest opening film ever.The Monkey is falling just behind another Perkins film, Longlegs(2024), which earned $22.4 million on its opening weekend. On its first day in theaters, The Monkey earned $5.8 million.

The Monkey is an adaptation of a 1980 short story by Stephen King and stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Sarah Levy, and Elijah Wood. The movie has a C+ CinemaScore, 77% critic score, and a 65% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Monkey focuses on two twin brothers, played by James, who discover a strange, seemingly haunted wind-up toy monkey.

Captain America: Brave New Worldis expected to take the No. 1 spot at the box office and is currently tracking to earn...

Stephen King's work is complex and often allows different theories, especially for the work that has been adapted to the big or small screen. His latest adaptation is The Monkey, which is based on his 1980 short story of the same name.

The Monkey comes from Osgood "Oz" Perkins and stars Theo James in a dual role as twin brothers Bill and Hal, as well as Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood. The film follows the two brothers whose lives are affected by a cursed toy monkey that goes on a killing spree. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James addressed a popular fan theory and shared his own thoughts on why it doesn't work.

Related1 of A24's Scariest Movies of All Time Is Coming to Max Next Month

After a solid theatrical run, the acclaimed horror movie...

Theo James flirted with the horror genre many times in his career, doing action horror in the Underworld franchise and apocalypse horror in 2018's How It Ends. 2025 provided the actor with a different horror subgenre — dark comedy horror with The Monkey.

The film comes from Longlegs' critically acclaimed director Osgood "Oz" Perkins and is based on Stephen King's 1980 short story of the same name. At the same time, the director has taken a lot of liberties with King's short story, adding a dark comedy twist to it. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, James further explained what was the inspiration for the film, aside from King's works.

Related'They Had Someone Else Cast': How Elijah Wood Joined New Stephen King Movie at the Last Minute

Elijah Wood landed his role in the new film adaptation of Stephen King's The Monkey at the very last minute.

The Monkey tells the story of two twin brothers,...

The Monkey director Osgood Perkins has commented on the film's singular views about death. Perkins' latest opened on Friday, but those who were lucky enough to catch a preview know that it depicts death as the end of the journey under a frame of absolute mayhem and satire. If you have a problem with people dying on screen, you should probably skip The Monkey. It gets… messy.

Perkins spoke to Cinema Blend about The Monkey, and while not many horror films feel thought-provoking, the director thinks you should be more aware of the inevitability of death. He also believes that his movie is no different from any other horror feature in terms of what the characters ultimately face:

"In a sense, every horror movie is essentially about that, right? Like, you're gonna die, you're gonna see how – by chainsaw, or a ghost is gonna get you, or you're gonna get possessed or something.

Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for The MonkeyEven in a genre so famous for iconic figures like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees, Stephen King is arguably every bit as much a hot IP as the Nightmare or Friday franchises. Adaptations of his works like The Shining (even if King himself hated the film), Carrie, and Misery are almost unanimously seen as holy texts for horror fans, and there’s no contemporary figure who’s proven quite as influential on the genre. Even nowadays, King's impact can be felt in Stranger Things and the work of filmmakers like Robert Eggers.

But despite being such an iconic figure, don’t think that King doesn't have a sense of humor about himself. Again, putting aside his public disagreements with Stanley Kubrick, King has regularly welcomed the countless adaptations of his books and short stories, often agreeing to cameo in them. Whether it’s for...

Drum roll, please! The distinguished title of Neon's new best-selling director goes to the one, the only, Osgood "Oz" Perkins. That's right, folks, Perkins has done it again. His latest Neon horror film, The Monkey,premiered for early previews on Feb. 20 and solidified his reign as the production company's best-selling filmmaker. The Monkey earned a whopping $1.9 million in preview ticket sales, making it the second highest-selling early showings of a Neon film, right behind the $3 million made in previews by Perkins' 2024 hit for the horror production company, Longlegs.

According to Deadline, Perkins' Stephen King adaptation is on its way to becoming the best opening for a horror movie of this year so far, with a projected $12-$14 million in ticket sales this weekend, including advance screenings. The horror writer and director has proven he can sell the hell out of tickets, but he's also got the substance to back up the sales.

Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for The MonkeyFew directors in recent memory have seen their stock rise as dramatically as Oz Perkins. While The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel and Hansel received positive reviews and became cult favorites, it wasn’t until last year that Perkins truly broke through in the mainstream. The immensely creepy Longlegs proved a sleeper hit of 2024, and Perkins almost immediately became a household name among horror junkies. Less than a year later, he’s already back on the big screen with his newest concoction, The Monkey.

Based on a short story of the same name by Stephen King, The Monkey proves a dramatic departure from the eerie atmosphere of Longlegs. With his new film, Perkins displays a twisted sense of humor and a knack for dark mischief, going over the top without feeling overly tongue-in-cheek. And he gets a surprising amount of mileage out of a seemingly absurd premise,...

February always comes and goes so fast, being the shortest month of the year and one of the coldest. With the last weekend of February 2025 landing on the 21st, at least we can say that the month is going out with a bang, offering some great movies to watch in theaters this weekend. Notably, Oz Perkins follows up the fan-favorite Longlegs when he tackles Stephen King in the latest adaptation of The Monkey. Those looking for high-octane thrills will also want to check out Martin Campbell's The Cleaner.

Those who would rather stay have a few streaming options this month. Shudder brings the debut film of Spider One of 'Powerman 5000' fame to its streaming platform with the demonic Little Bites. The world's fastest rodent also lands on Paramount+ with Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Finally, those who want to witness the box office car crash that was The Crow...

Famed horror author Stephen King has returned to X, formerly known as Twitter. The renowned writer was known for taking to the social media site to share his views about everything, from movies and books to current affairs and politics. After leaving the platform in November last year in the wake of the election and Elon Musk's takeover, the King has returned with two posts, one announcing his return, and another that's targeted at President Donald Trump, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and controversial figure Elon Musk.

As reported by Variety, the author of books like Pet Sematary, Carrie, The Shining and It, has decided to jump back into the rocky territory that is X, the platform owned by Musk. King has been absent from X ever since Donald Trump was reelected president last November. When he left X, he did so with the following message: "I'm leaving Twitter. Tried to stay,...

The horror movie market already seems crowded despite us only being in the second month of the year. If anything, it just proves that horror continues to be a thriving genre and a reliable performer at the box office. Looking to keep up that trend is The Monkey, Osgood Perkins' adaptation of Stephen King's 1980 short story, which has already broken at least one box office record for horror movies this year.

According to a post on Fandango's official Instagram, The Monkey has become the best-selling horror movie of 2025 in terms of early ticket sales. Now, you're probably thinking that it's only February, and this feels like an unwarranted brag, but horror films already released this year, such as Presence, Companion, and Heart Eyes couldn't boast the same, and it does go a long way to prove that interest in The Monkey is pretty high. If you're a fan of horror,...

Elijah Wood's appearance in one of the hottest horror movies of the year so far was never meant to happen, but sometimes these things just work out. Based on a short story by Stephen King, The Monkey is the latest film by Osgood Perkins, who is releasing this project hot off the success of last year's Longlegs. Neon is distributing the movie and hasn't been slacking in its promotion of the film. From different homage posters to creepy billboards and now even offering church screenings of the movie, the production company has done a great job of getting people's attention without spoiling what happens in the incredibly gory and surprisingly hilarious film.

One aspect that isn't as heavily advertised but can be noticed when looking at the cast list is the inclusion of some talented actors, albeit in more minor roles. Besides Theo James in the lead roles of...

It seems director Osgood Perkins can do no wrong these days, as after his 2024 low budget smash hit Longlegs thrilled audiences to the tune of $126 million at the box office, The Monkey is garnering rave reviews ahead of its release this weekend. Starring Theo James, the latest Stephen King adaptation is being heralded as a can’t-miss horror-comedy hybrid, but apparently there's another aspect of the film you should stay seated for: a post-credits scene.

According to Total Film (via Gamesradar) The Monkey's post-credits scene is not one that expands or adds anything to the film you just saw, but is rather a preview of Perkins' next horror offering, Keeper. There's no word on if it's a full trailer or just a tease, but regardless, it's definitely something worth staying seated for, as Perkins has easily solidified himself as one of the hottest genre directors around following the release of Longlegs,...

We're just a short time away from the theatrical release of The Monkey, Osgood Perkins' follow-up to his 2024 hit Longlegs, and if that news isn't good enough for you, maybe its Rotten Tomatoes Score will be. Embargoes have lifted, the reviews are in, and at the time of this writing, the newest Stephen King adaptation sits at a healthy 86% on the website, which bodes well for its box office take this coming weekend.

Based on King's short story that was first published in 1980 and then collected into 1985's Skeleton Crew, The Monkey stars Theo James as twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn who, at a young age, stumble upon their father's vintage toy monkey in the attic, and witness a string of horrifying deaths all around them. Years later, the toy resurfaces, causing the siblings to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy. "Osgood Perkins'...

Elijah Wood nearly wasn't a part of the new Stephen King movie, The Monkey. One of the actors in the new film recently revealed how another actor was initially cast in Wood's role.

Speaking with Screen Rant, Colin O'Brien, who plays Petey in the upcoming film based on Stephen King's short story of the same name, shared how Elijah Wood came to be a part of the project. "When we first were going to film that scene, they had someone else cast as the dad, but I think Oz heard that Elijah Wood was going to be in Vancouver for Comic-Con, and so they sent him the script because he wanted to look at it," O'Brien said.

RelatedCaptain America: Brave New World Surpasses Expectations at Weekend Box Office

Captain America: Brave New World exceeds expectations with its Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day weekend box office returns.

After reading the script,...

Osgood "Oz" Perkins, the director in charge of the upcoming Stephen King film The Monkey, has revealed some of his favorite works by the author behind titles like It, The Shining and Salem's Lot. Perkins is the latest Hollywood visionary to bring one of King's works to the big screen. Early reviews showed that The Monkey is a winner in the pantheon of King's horror adaptations.

Per Bloody Disgusting, the director behind films like Longlegs and The Blackcoat's Daughter said this about adapting a work by "one of the great American authors. I suppose the unique challenge in adapting a Stephen King story is parsing out 'Oh, it’s the greatest author of all time in the genre, one of the great American authors of all time,' and sort of letting that aspect not become daunting. Once you kind of get into harmony with the world of Stephen King...

Stephen King’s The Monkey is about to terrorize the box office thanks to the impressive directorial efforts of Osgood Perkins, but there is one small but noticeable thing missing from the movie that fans of King’s original short story will spot instantly: cymbals. Yes, the evil toy of the film inexplicably has a little drum as its percussion instrument of choice, and it seems that Disney is to blame.

Directed and written by Perkins, produced by horror master James Wan, and boasting an all-star cast including Theo James, Elijah Wood, Tatiana Maslany, and Rohan Campbell, The Monkey is set to be another hugely successful entry in Perkins’ career after last year’s creepy Nicolas Cage film, Longlegs. The film has already been making waves, with reports that TV spots for The Monkey were rejected by many stations for being too violent, and initial reviews heaping praise on the movie.

Mel Gibson's position in Hollywood is precarious to say the least, but that has not stopped his 2022 action thriller Hot Seat from jumping into the Freevee Top 10 after it was added to the platform earlier this month. Directed by James Cullen Bressack and starring Gibson alongside Kevin Dillon, the film was met with harsh reviews upon release, which makes its new-found success on streaming unexpected…but at the same time completely on trend for free streaming releases.

Hot Seat is a high-stakes hostage thriller, which centers on It expert Orlando Friar (Dillon) who becomes an unwitting pawn in a dangerous cyber-heist. Forced to hack into government servers while trapped in a booby-trapped office chair rigged to explode (of course he is), Friar must race against the clock to outsmart the anonymous mastermind holding his life—and the city—hostage. Gibson appears as Wallace Reed, a bomb squad veteran determined...

Of all the striking things about The Monkey, and there are many, one of the most interesting to note is its runtime. At 98 minutes, The Monkey delivers not only everything promised by the horror-comedy genre, but great performances, excellent direction, and an incredibly incisive take on modern masculinity. This is to say that a movie can be short, relatively low budgeted, and simple in concept, yet executed at an absolutely elite level across the board. We live in the days of bloated budgets and run times which, more often than not, fail to deliver meaningfully. The Monkey is the antidote.

Of course, if you aren't game for some graphic Looney Tunes-level violence played straight in a deeply moody setting carefully crafted by emerging master Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), then you should consider passing on this one. But you'll be missing so much.

Shock the Monkey

The MonkeyRHorrorComedy4/5Release DateFebruary 19, 2025Runtime98 MinutesDirectorOsgood PerkinsWritersOsgood PerkinsProducersJohn Rickard,...

Osgood Perkins' The Monkey, the new feature film based on a Stephen King story, is heading to theaters this month. Ahead of its arrival, a first look at an official popcorn bucket for the bonkers horror film has been revealed.

Per Nerdist, new images have been unveiled for the popcorn bucket for The Monkey. This is a significant change from the norm, as popcorn buckets are usually reserved for big-budget blockbusters, making it rare for indie horror films to get their own. This even marks the first time ever that the indie studio Neon has partnered up with AMC Theatres to create an official popcorn bucket for a film. It will only be available at AMC Theatres locations, and it comes with a large popcorn for $44.99 plus tax. The 85-ounce popcorn bucket is stylized to look just like the monkey toy that's at the heart of the film, and it...

Film production company Neon continues to prove itself a master of marketing its titles, as the publicity campaign for The Monkey continues to intrigue and get people excited for Osgood Perkins' next horror movie. Ranging from everything to respiratory stimulants to large and ominous billboards, The Monkey's marketing campaign has worked hard to help distinguish the movie from the rest of the major films due for release this month. Case in point: the newest theatrical poster for the movie is an homage to Paul Schrader's 1979 film, Hardcore.

The poster features a quote from one of Theo James' characters at the center, saying, "The Monkey that likes killing our family... It's back." The memorable poster for Schrader's Hardcore has a quote about the main character's daughter, with both posters featuring the film's leading actor in the middle right section. It's a clever homage that helps reinforce The Monkey's stylistic...

We're still a little over two weeks away from the release of Osgood Perkins' adaptation of Stephen King's The Monkey, but we now have our first look at the popcorn bucket that will be exclusively available at AMC theaters, and it's one of the creepiest things we’ve seen since Annabelle. Based on the King short story that appeared in his 1985 collection Skeleton Crew, The Monkey stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elija Wood, and Colin O'Brien, and – if the trailer is any indication – promises to be one of the most outrageous horror movies of the year.

Shared by Bloody Disgusting on social media, the popcorn bucket for The Monkey (seen below) mimics the cursed toy seen in the movie. It's a straightforward primate complete with a marching drum, drumsticks, unhinged smile, and wide eyes that would seriously look creepy on anybody's shelf. While it doesn't show exactly how one gets to their snack,...

Osgood Perkins, the director of one of 2025's highly anticipated horror films, The Monkey, has shared why he made some changes to the story written by Stephen King. Apparently, Disney is to blame. However, Perkins has no issues with the changes, and they're part of his revision of the original story about the cursed toy.

The Monkey is based on a short story King published in Gallery magazine in 1980, which was then revised for the 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. If you've read this one before, then you know that the monkey in question likes to bang cymbals and announce he's about to do something nasty. But as it turns out, Perkins couldn't use a cymbal-banging monkey toy (also known as "Jolly Chimp"), because of a connection to a movie that the House of Mouse owns.

Perkins spoke to GamesRadar about The Monkey and addressed changing the musical instrument used by the toy,...

The Monkey, Osgood Perkins' latest horror film, is finally set for release later this month. For those wondering how the film stacks up to his 2024 film Longlegs, the first reviews for the movie based on Stephen King's short story of the same name have dropped, and the consensus seems to be primarily positive. On the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, The Monkey has a 91% fresh rating, albeit with only 11 reviews submitted. Still, reviews published at various other outlets that have yet to make their way on the site have praised The Monkey for its interesting tonal balance that stands apart from other King adaptations.

What stands out most about The Monkey in several reviews is how it handles the kills and gore compared to Perkins' more subdued yet still disturbing film Longlegs, which starred Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. Emma Kiely's 7/10 review for Collider states how the tonal juxtaposition...

2025 continues to be a great year for Stephen King fans. The sci-fi and horror author's works turned him into the writer with most adaptations of all time, and the new year won't change that.

King has multiple works turned into films this year, and the first one will be The Monkey. While his novels, novellas, short stories, and series have been adapted into many TV and movie adaptations, there are still many stories out there expecting an adaptation and The Monkey adapts King's 1980 story. The adaptation, which comes from Osgood "Oz" Perkins, has just debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with an exciting 91% score.

Related'Just Perfect': Stephen King Shares Exciting Update for Mike Flanagan's Delayed The Dark Tower Series

Although there aren't any real development news about The Dark Tower, the author's notes are exactly what fans need.

The horror, although bloody, is described as a dark comedy, with the director...

US-based independent film financier Tpc has opened an office in London, spurred by the launch of the UK’s Independent Film Tax Credit (Iftc) to igniteproduction of lower and mid-budget movies in the territory.

Tpc recently provided finance for Longlegs, starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, and Stephen King adaptation The Monkey, starring Theo James and Elijah Wood, which will be released in February 2025 by Neon.

Tpc’s parent company is The Forest Road Company, the owner of well-known media and entertainment investment bank Acf which is based in London and Los Angeles.

The opening of its London office follows...

Exclusive: Tasha Smith (Bad Boys: Ride or Die), Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary), Francois Arnaud (Yellowjackets), Susan Park (Shining Vale) and Cree (Turtles All the Way Down) are the newest additions to the cast of Twinless, the dark comedy that James Sweeney wrote and is directing for Republic Pictures.

Details as to the newcomers’ roles are under wraps. As previously announced, Dylan O’Brien, Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham and Sweeney will also star in the film, which follows two young men who strike up an unlikely bromance after meeting in a twin bereavement support group.

David Permut and Sweeney are producing, with O’Brien and Miky Lee serving exec producing. Three Point Capital is financing the pic with Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron and Liz Destro also serving as executive producers. Alex Astrachan, Director of Development at Permut Presentations, is co-producer. Casting Director is Jessica Munks. Republic Pictures has worldwide rights to the film.

The first teaser for Osgood Perkins’ “The Monkey,” starring Theo James and Elijah Wood, has been released.

In the 44-second clip, a murderous toy monkey winds up as James, covered in blood, looks on in horror.

Based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, “The Monkey” follows twin brothers Bill and Hall (both played by James), who find their father’s old money toy in their childhood home’s attic. Once a series of gruesome deaths begin, the brothers decide to throw the monkey away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years. But when the mysterious deaths begin again, the brothers must reunite to find a way to destroy the monkey for good before it kills again.

James stars alongside Wood, Tatiana Maslany, Laura Mennell, Canadian child actor Christian Convery, Sarah Levy, Colin O’Brien and Rohan Campbell.

“The Monkey” is Perkins’ latest horror flick after Neon’s “Longlegs,...

Paramount Pictures label Republic Pictures has revealed the official trailer for Rob Peace, which will open in theaters on August 16, 2024. The film is rated R for drug content and language.

Directed, adapted by, and starring Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Rob Peace follows the true story of a brilliant young man (Jay Will) torn between his father’s shadowed past and his promising future.

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Skeet Douglas and Jay Will as Robert Peace

Raised by his devoted mother, Rob risks everything he has worked for to free his imprisoned father (Ejiofor). The film is based on Jeff Hobbs’s New York Times bestseller, The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.

The cast includes Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Gbenga Akinnagbe, with Michael Kelly, Mare Winningham, and Camila Cabello.

Mary J. Blige as Jackie Peace and Jelani Dacres as Rob Peace

The producers include Antoine Fuqua,...

Shout! Studios will be giving the psychological thriller The Wasp, starring Naomie Harris of Skyfall and Natalie Dormer of Game of Thrones, a theatrical release on August 30th, and with that date just eight weeks away a trailer for the film has made its way online. You can check it out in the embed above.

Julia’s Eyes director Guillem Morales was at the helm of The Wasp, working from a screenplay written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, based on Malcolm’s stage play of the same name. Harris and Dormer are said to deliver captivating performances in this “tense, twist-filled” film as two estranged friends who reunite over tea, only to unveil a dangerous and deceptive plot that will irrevocably alter their lives.

Dominic Allburn (A Place to Call Home), Jack Morris (Into the Deep), Rupert Holliday-Evans (Silent Witness), Naomi Richards (The Ballad of Lucy Sands), Jake Donald-Crookes (Hill of Vision...

Exclusive: Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham and The Nightingale‘s Aisling Franciosi have joined the cast of Three Point Capital and David Permut Production’s movie Twinless. They will star opposite previously announced Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney.

Sweeney is also writing and directing the pic which follows two young men who meet in a twin bereavement support group, and form an unlikely bromance.

O’Brien and Miky Lee are EPs. Alex Astrachan, Director of Development at Permut Presentations is co-producer. Republic Pictures has worldwide rights to the film.

Three Point Capital is financing the feature with Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron and Liz Destro also serving as executive producers.

Graham is known for playing Lorelai Gilmore on the hit CW series, Gilmore Girls. She’s also starred in such movies as Flash of Genius, The Answer Man with Jeff Daniels, Evan Almighty with Steve Carell, Because I Said So opposite Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore,...

Coming our way from Vertical, Tpc, and Sss Entertainment, the thriller Lazareth is set to receive a theatrical and VOD release on May 10th – and with that date just one month away, a trailer for the film has arrived online. You can watch it in the embed above.

Written and directed by Alec Tibaldi (Spiral Farm), Lazareth tells the following story: Following the death of their parents, Lee adopts her nieces, Imogen and Maeve, and raises them in a remote cabin as a deadly pandemic rages on around them. For over 10 years, the girls are raised to never leave the woods, avoid any and all interaction with outsiders, and ultimately rely on Lee as their only connection to the outside world. Lee has convinced the girls this is the key to survival in what is now an infectious and violent world. But when Imogen and Maeve discover an injured man in the nearby woods,...

Exclusive: Ethan Embry (Blindspotting) and Li Jun Li (Babylon) have signed on to star in Alma and the Wolf, a new feature from director Michael Patrick Jann (Drop Dead Gorgeous) and writer Abigail Miller.

In the psychological horror-mystery, set on the wild Oregon coast, Embry plays Ren Accord, a troubled police officer who must pull himself together when, while investigating a mysterious wolf attack, his estranged son goes missing.

Others set to star in the pic include Jeremie Harris (Legion), Lukas Jann (Organ Trail), Kevin Allison (The State), Mather Zickel (Organ Trail), Beth Malone (Fun Home), Alexandra Doke (City on Fire), and Dana Millican (Soft & Quiet).

Jann and David Codron are producing following their collaboration on the cult favorite Drop Dead Gorgeous, starring Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards and Ellen Barkin, and the horror Western Organ Trail. Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron, and Viviana Zarragoitia are exec producing through Tpc (formerly...

Exclusive: Dylan O’Brien is set to headline in James Sweeney’s dark comedy Twinless, which the latter wrote and will also star in. Republic Pictures has taken global rights to the movie. Cameras are currently rolling on the movie in Portland, Or. O’Brien will executive produce.

The pic follows two young men who meet in a twin bereavement support group. An unlikely bromance develops between them. Twinless follow Sweeney’s directorial debut, Straight Up, which notched the filmmaker a Best First Screenplay nom at the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards.

Three Point Capital is financing the film with Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron and Liz Destro also serving as EPs.

Twinless is produced by Academy Award nominated producer David Permut and Permut Presentations whose most recent Netflix movie, Rustin, garnered Colman Domingo a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

Miky Lee (Parasite) Vice Chairwoman of Cj and who most recently executive...