Following a string of bloody teasers, The Monkey is almost ready to make its way into theaters. io9 had the opportunity to chat with writer-director Osgood Perkins, known for his success with Longlegs, ahead of the release. The Monkey, based on a Stephen King short story, offers a different tone compared to Perkins’ previous work. Perkins explains that he wanted to infuse humor into the film to bring delight to audiences and avoid a somber tone when dealing with the topic of death.
Perkins also discusses the unique approach to The Monkey as a Stephen King adaptation, aiming to pay homage to the author’s style and themes. Stephen King himself praised the film, describing it as “bat shit crazy” in a positive light. Perkins explains the change from the cymbals to drums in the film, due to Disney owning the rights to the cymbals. He saw it as an opportunity to create something new and exciting.
The interview delves into the creative process behind the film’s gore and kill scenes, with Perkins emphasizing the importance of keeping the deaths unrealistic and almost cartoonish in nature. He draws inspiration from Itchy and Scratchy and Wile E. Coyote for the over-the-top violence.
Perkins also addresses comparisons to Final Destination movies, stating that he hasn’t seen them and didn’t draw inspiration from them. He discusses the character of Elijah Wood in the film and the exploration of the “blowhard parent” archetype. The contentious relationship between twins Hal and Bill is also explored, adding to the uncanny and comedic elements of the story.
Overall, Perkins’ approach to The Monkey is one of reverence for Stephen King and a desire to create something unique while paying homage to the horror genre. The film promises to deliver a mix of humor, horror, and creativity that sets it apart from other adaptations.