The Monkey is a film that grabs your attention from the very beginning and never lets go. Whether you are watching the terrifying gore or the well-placed humor, the movie keeps you engaged throughout. The film presents some shocking and intense imagery that will stay in your mind long after you leave the theater.
One of the most disturbing moments happens right at the start. The original owner of the toy monkey, Petey Shelburn (played by Adam Scott), watches in horror as a man’s intestines are ripped from his body by a crossbow bolt. This moment is enough to make anyone feel uneasy, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the film.
Some viewers might not find the gore as disturbing as others, but the film has plenty of reasons to keep you in your seat. One of those reasons is the post-credits scene. Many horror fans might wonder: Does The Monkey have a post-credits scene? The answer is yes, but it is not what you might expect.
The film uses its post-credits moment in a way that feels much more effective than most other movies. Rather than giving a traditional final scene related to the movie’s story, it offers something unexpected and exciting.
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What Is The Monkey About?
The Monkey tells the story of twin brothers Hal and Bill, both played by Theo James. His performance stands out as he plays both characters with unique and believable differences. Hal is nervous and reserved, while Bill is arrogant and full of confidence. The story revolves around a wind-up monkey that brings death with every turn of its key.
As children, Hal and Bill discover the monkey’s terrifying power. When the key turns, someone nearby meets a gruesome end. Believing they have locked the monkey away forever, they grow apart over the years. However, years later, strange and sudden deaths begin to happen again.
Hal soon discovers that Bill has found the monkey and is using it to get revenge. Bill blames Hal for the tragic death of their mother, Lois (played by Tatiana Maslany). He believes that by using the monkey, he can punish Hal for what happened in their past.
The brothers eventually come to terms with their past, but it is too late. In an unexpected turn, Bill is killed by a falling bowling ball. Hal and Petey (played by Colin O’Brien) take the monkey and drive away, hoping to put an end to its curse. This moment leads into the credits, but the film is not over yet. It is at this point that the audience gets to see a unique and memorable post-credits scene.
A Post-Credits Scene That Stands Out
Many films today include post-credits scenes, but The Monkey does something different. Instead of revealing more about the movie’s story, it offers a teaser for an entirely new film. This approach makes the waiting time feel worthwhile and avoids the usual predictable formula of post-credit moments.
As the credits come to a close, the film gives one final hint of the monkey’s eerie presence. The sound of its music box plays again, followed by a voice saying, “Sh*t man, that sucks.”
This line appears throughout the film and adds a darkly humorous touch. But instead of giving more insight into The Monkey’s future, the screen transitions into a teaser for director Osgood Perkins’ next film, Keeper.
A Mysterious and Haunting Teaser for Keeper
The teaser for Keeper is unsettling and mysterious. It shows a group of women in different settings, some staring directly at the camera. At first, their lives appear normal, but as the teaser progresses, the imagery becomes more disturbing.
One woman is seen in a barn, kneeling on the ground and clawing at the walls. Others are covered in blood, screaming. The eerie atmosphere builds tension and keeps the audience intrigued.
The screen then cuts to black, and a voice says, “This place isn’t right for me.” The words leave a haunting impression before the title Keeper appears on the screen. Along with the title, the text reads, “A dark trip from Osgood Perkins…soon.”
The teaser does not reveal much about the film’s story, but IMDb provides some clues. According to the film’s logline, Keeper follows a woman who goes on an anniversary getaway with her husband. When he suddenly leaves, she finds herself alone in a remote cabin. However, she soon realizes that a sinister presence lurks within the cabin, exposing its terrifying past.
The teaser hints at a classic “cabin in the woods” horror experience, filled with mystery and fear. The cast of Keeper also includes Tatiana Maslany, who previously appeared in The Monkey. Her return to another Osgood Perkins film adds excitement for fans of her work.
Why This Post-Credits Scene Works So Well
This method of using a post-credits scene is not entirely new. Marvel Studios did something similar in Captain America: The First Avenger by showing a teaser for The Avengers. However, in the horror genre, this technique is much less common.
Many post-credits scenes in modern films feel forced or unnecessary. Some studios include them just to build hype for a sequel, even when it does not add much to the story.
An example of this can be seen in Captain America: Brave New World, where the post-credits moment felt more like a marketing strategy than a natural continuation of the plot. Other films, like Deadpool and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, use post-credits moments as a joke, teasing the audience for waiting through the credits.
The Monkey, however, takes a different approach. Instead of feeling like a forced addition, the post-credits moment serves a real purpose. It introduces a future film in a way that excites the audience and leaves them with something to think about.
While it is not a completely original concept, it is a refreshing way to use the post-credits scene. Perkins successfully builds anticipation for Keeper without making the scene feel out of place or unnecessary.
Final Thoughts
The Monkey delivers an unforgettable horror experience, blending gruesome horror with effective dark comedy. The film’s unpredictable nature keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end. Its post-credits moment takes a bold and exciting approach by teasing a completely new film rather than simply extending The Monkey’s story.
With a strong performance from Theo James and an eerie yet effective storytelling approach, The Monkey stands out as one of the most intriguing horror films of the year. The teaser for Keeper only adds to the excitement, leaving audiences eager to see what Osgood Perkins has planned next.
If you enjoy horror movies that keep you on the edge of your seat, The Monkey is worth watching. Its combination of suspense, gore, and humor makes it a unique and thrilling cinematic experience. And if Keeper is anything like its teaser suggests, horror fans have even more to look forward to shortly.
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