The Monkey ending explained: What does the monkey represent?

Osgood Perkins' The Monkey follows a pair of twins who live in fear of a drum-playing toy monkey that once belonged to their father. The toy leads to a series of random, gruesome, and uncontrollable deaths.

The film is Perkins' follow-up to Longlegs, another horror film backed by Neon. Perkins has also written the script based on a short story by Stephen King. Its official synopsis, per IMDb, reads:

"When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years."

The cast includes Theo James (The White Lotus) who plays the central dual role of twin brothers - Hal & Bill. Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) plays the younger versions of the same characters. Tatiana Maslany, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Elijah Wood star in key supporting roles.

The film is now out in the US theaters. It received some strong early reviews, which eventually led to its 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The ending of The Monkey shows Bill dying at the hands of the cursed monkey right after he reconciles with Hal. Hal and his son Petey take charge of the cursed toy - to stop its key from being turned again.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Osgood Perkins' The Monkey. Reader discretion is advised.

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What is the story behind Oz Perkins' The Monkey?

Osgood Perkins' new film revolves around a cursed toy monkey. If someone winds its key, someone dies a gruesome death. Capt. Petey (Adam Scott) tries to get rid of it but to no avail.

Petey vanishes from his family's life, leaving his wife Lois (Tatiana Maslany) to take care of their twin sons, Bill and Hal (Christian Convery). Later, the sons discover the cursed toy, which kills their babysitter.

Hal is meek unlike Bill, who bullies him. With an absent father and an alcoholic mother, Hal gets frustrated with his repressed life. So, he uses the toy to kill cruel Bill. Instead, it kills Lois.

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How does the toy monkey return to Hal & Bill's life?

After their mother's death, Hal & Bill move into their uncle and aunt's house. The monkey magically reappears and kills their uncle. Twenty-five years later, Hal lives as a divorced man, who hopes to gain custody of his son Petey (Colin O'Brien).

Hal remains distant from young Petey, fearing his fate would follow his son. While fighting his personal battles, Hal learns about their aunt's death linked to the monkey's reactivation.

Bill is behind the deaths triggered by the toy. He hopes to use it to seek revenge against Hal, suspecting he killed their mother. Bill also knows that he cannot die if he turns the toy's key.

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What happens to Bill & Hal in the end?

Bill gets hold of the monkey and constantly tries to kill Hal but triggers the deaths of anyone but Hal. Eventually, he traps Hal and his son Petey. He forces the toy to play the drums without winding its key.

It triggers widespread deaths across the town. Still, Hal survives. Bill and Hal finally come face to face. They open up about their shared grief over their mother's death and apologize to each other.

In the end, the toy kills Bill and spares Hal and Petey's lives. The father-and-son duo takes charge of the toy and drives out of town to protect others from its effects.

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What does the toy monkey represent?

Osgood Perkins' film banks on a series of deaths that happen without rhyme or reason. So, it becomes nihilistic by depicting the cruel uncertainty of life.

In this equation, the monkey acts as a symbol of how unjust life is. It reappears in Hal & Bill's lives no matter how hard they try to escape it. So, it also represents the unpredictable and inevitable nature of death.

The film's final moments further this point by showing The Pale Horseman in front of Hal and Petey, driving as the toy's new owners. This horseman acts as a personification of Death.

Perkins' film deviates from Stephen King's story and changes some plot points to highlight the matters of life and death. Despite those changes, King gave a seal of approval to the film.