Gavin Brooks

My family and I were genuinely excited to see The Monkey in theaters. The film opens with a strong and engaging beginning — the storyline was intriguing, and the characters were well-developed and easy to invest in. It seemed like we were in for a unique and compelling horror experience. However, as the movie progressed, it became increasingly disorganized. The plot devolved into a series of random events and unexplained character deaths, with little to no connection or buildup. The sense of direction and narrative cohesion seemed to disappear entirely. What was especially disappointing was the film’s unexpected shift in tone. Rather than maintaining its horror elements, it leaned heavily into crude humor, with an unusual amount of focus on masturbation and other inappropriate teenage themes. These topics felt excessive and out of place, detracting from the atmosphere the film initially worked hard to create. By the end, the movie felt more like an absurd comedy than a horror film. The conclusion was confusing and unsatisfying, leaving us disappointed. While The Monkey had a strong foundation, it ultimately failed to deliver on its early promise.