The Monkey by Stephen King

Title: The Monkey
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner; Media Tie-In edition (February 25, 2025)
Genre: Horror, Supernatural Fiction
Publication Date: First published in 1980; included in Skeleton Crew (1985)
Pages: Varies (short story)
ISBN-10: 1668207745 (Skeleton Crew)
ISBN-13:  978-1668207741 (Skeleton Crew)

Summary of The Monkey by Stephen King

The Monkey is a horror short story by Stephen King about a sinister, cymbal-clapping toy monkey that causes death each time it makes a sound.

The protagonist, Hal Shelburn, discovers the monkey in his childhood home, recalling the mysterious deaths that surrounded his family when he was younger.

As an adult, Hal believes the terror is behind him but when the monkey resurfaces in his life, new tragedies occur. Determined to rid himself of its curse, Hal attempts to destroy the toy, but it becomes a very difficult process.

Main Plot & Characters

• Hal Shelburn: The protagonist who finds the cursed toy monkey and realizes its deadly pattern.
• The Monkey: A seemingly innocent toy that brings death to those around it whenever it claps its cymbals.

Hal’s journey to uncover the truth about the monkey leads him into a desperate struggle to break its curse before more lives are lost.

Key Themes of The Monkey

The story is about fate, trauma, and the lingering power of childhood fears.

• Supernatural Horror: The story centers around the terror of an object with inexplicable, deadly power.
• The Haunting of Childhood Fears: Hal’s past trauma resurfaces, forcing him to confront long-buried memories.
• The Inevitability of Fate: No matter how far Hal runs, the monkey finds its way back into his life.

Writing Style

King’s storytelling in The Monkey is tense and eerie, balancing psychological horror with supernatural elements. He builds suspense gradually by using very detailed descriptions and character-driven fear.

Impact of The Monkey by Stephen King

As one of the standout stories in Skeleton Crew, The Monkey has been praised for its premise and lingering sense of dread. It showcases King’s ability to turn an ordinary object into a source of terror.

A 2025 film adaptation directed by Osgood Perkins further expanded on the story, featuring Theo James in a dual role as twin brothers haunted by the cursed toy.

Have you read The Monkey or watched the adaptation? What did you think of its premise? Let us know in the comments!