Can Adam Scott’s Brief Role Save The New Stephen King Movie ‘The Monkey’?

Stephen King has given the horror genre some of its most iconic movies, including It, Carrie, Misery, and The Shining, just to name a few.

So it’s no surprise Oz Perkins wanted to grab a piece of King’s success. Coming off Perkins’ 2024 marketing hit Longlegs, his latest film, The Monkey—based on King’s 1980 short story—had audiences eager to return to theaters. Perhaps, like me, you found Longlegs to be an over-hyped disappointment and hesitated about spending money on another Perkins film. For those who skipped it in theaters, here’s the truth about Oz Perkins’ The Monkey—a truth clear from the film’s first moments.

The movie starts strong, featuring impressive visuals and intriguing sets. Perkins consistently delivers compelling atmospheres. Soon after, the audience witnesses hilariously bizarre violence unfolding in a thrift shop reminiscent of Final Destination-style Rube Goldberg antics. This gruesomely comedic scene becomes even better with Adam Scott’s exaggerated reactions. Yes, Adam Scott. If you’re like me and avoid trailers, you might be surprised to see Scott stepping into this Stephen King bloodbath. Knowing Perkins intended a more comedic direction raised my expectations considerably. Adam Scott, who showcased comedic brilliance in Parks and Recreation and dramatic depth in Severance, seemed poised to elevate the film significantly.

However, Scott’s promising presence ends abruptly. His role spans exactly one scene before disappearing entirely. From there, the movie reverts to classic Perkins style: overly serious, excessively stylized beyond narrative logic, and bogged down by exposition rather than action. Although the creative kills remained amusing, the writing in The Monkey was weak, jokes were stale (can we collectively retire the overused “stiff sock” joke?), and the movie missed opportunities to leverage Adam Scott’s unique talents.

To witness Adam Scott truly excel, watch the upcoming season finale of Severance Season 2 on Apple TV+. To see him criminally underutilized, Oz Perkins’ The Monkey will stream on Hulu this summer, at least that is the rumor.