The trailer for Osgood Perkins’ latest horror venture, “The Monkey,” has stirred the waters of independent filmmaking, amassing an impressive 109 million views across various platforms, including TikTok. Set to premiere on February 21, this film marks Perkins’ triumphant return after the notable success of “Longlegs.” The launching of the trailer has shattered expectations, garnering over 43 million views within the first 24 hours of its release and surpassing the 100 million mark within just 72 hours, establishing it as a formidable force within the independent horror genre.
According to the analytics provided by WaveMetrix, “The Monkey” is now on the leaderboard of horror trailers, claiming a record that is difficult for its competitors to eclipse. Previous entries in the genre, such as “28 Years Later,” which pulled in 60.2 million views, and “It Chapter Two,” which amassed 96 million views and enjoyed a $91 million opening, have been outstripped. Notably, “The Monkey” is showing significant potential to influence box office performance, with the view count translating into interest and anticipation among horror enthusiasts.
What makes these numbers even more compelling is the context in which they are set. For example, the trailer for “Smile” garnered 100 million views leading up to a modest opening of $22.6 million, while “The Black Phone” and its trailers recorded 73 million and 37 million views respectively but had a higher opening ($23.6 million) due to effective marketing campaigns. By comparison, “The Monkey’s” initial trailer suggests it could yield remarkable box office returns, especially given its unique narrative.
The storyline of “The Monkey” adds to its allure, focusing on twin brothers who discover a mysterious wind-up monkey. This seemingly innocent toy triggers a horrifying sequence of events, characterized by outrageous deaths within their family. The film cleverly unfolds over a span of 25 years, further enhancing the tension by thrusting the estranged brothers back into a traumatic confrontation with the cursed object. The conflicted relationship dynamic between the brothers promises to explore themes of guilt, familial bonds, and the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma.
Starring actors like Theo James and Tatiana Maslany, the movie boasts a solid ensemble cast that includes Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy, with notable appearances from Adam Scott and Elijah Wood. The film is produced by industry heavyweights including James Wan and Michael Clear, who are well-respected in the horror genre for their works on “The Conjuring” and “Saw.”
Recently, Neon hosted a secret screening at the Egyptian Theater during Beyond Fest, allowing select audiences to experience the film firsthand. Early reviews are creating a wave of excitement, suggesting that the movie could be more than just a standard horror film. It embodies a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation that appeals to both hardcore horror fans and newcomers alike.
With “The Monkey” setting an unprecedented viewership record for a film of its category, all eyes are now on its release. As fans eagerly await to see how the trailer’s hype translates to box office success, it’s clear that “The Monkey” has the potential to redefine what independent horror films can achieve in today’s cinematic landscape.