Pop Culture Happy Hour: "The Monkey And What's Making Us Happy" Summary

Release Date: February 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosted by NPR's Glenn Weldon, the team delves into the newly released horror-comedy film "The Monkey". The discussion features co-host Stephen Thompson and returning guest Jordan Crucciola, a writer and producer known for hosting the podcast Feeling Seen on Maximum Fun. Together, they explore the film's themes, performances, and its place within the contemporary horror landscape.

Exploring "The Monkey"

Plot Overview

Glenn Weldon kicks off the discussion by outlining the premise of "The Monkey":

[00:55] "In 'The Monkey,' Theo James plays twin brothers Hal and Bill. Hal is an introverted nerd, while Bill is a bully. As children, they discover a cursed wind-up toy monkey left by their missing father. Wind it up, and the monkey beats its drum, but when the music stops, someone close to the twins dies a gruesome death. Fast forward 25 years, and estranged brothers Hal and Bill must confront the cursed monkey as people in their hometown begin dying in bizarre, brutal ways."

Jordan Crucciola's Perspective

Jordan shares her initial skepticism and eventual appreciation for the film's tone:

[01:43] "I am pro 'The Monkey.' It is going for a lot tonally, but once I settled into what it was doing, I was along for the ride. It was a very malignant progression for me... but I do think if you are willing to give yourself over to a particular kind of madness, there is a lot of fun to be had."

She further elaborates on the film's comedic elements, noting Osgood Perkins' unique approach to humor:

[02:15] "Watching Osgood Perkins do comedy for the first time... I did laugh quite a few times. He has a gallows sense of humor. It's fun to watch him get into this sandbox for the first real time."

Stephen Thompson's Analysis

Stephen delves into the deeper themes and stylistic choices of the film:

[02:35] "Osgood Perkins is making a movie about generational trauma and the burden handed down from a missing father to these kids. There are interesting parallels, especially considering Perkins is the son of Anthony Perkins, famously known for portraying Norman Bates."

He critiques the film's coherence and comedic integration:

[04:27] "The comedic elements are mostly in these extremely cartoonish deaths... If you saw gore in Wile E. Coyote cartoons, that is the level and depth we're experiencing in this movie."

Stephen appreciates specific moments but feels the film struggles with deeper engagement:

[04:57] "... changing someone's intestines... But for me, the film didn't really cohere because I wanted more jokes outside of, whoa, gross."

Discussion on Casting and Aesthetic

The trio discusses Theo James' dual role and the film's nostalgic aesthetic:

• Jordan: Appreciates Theo James' performance and the film's maximalist approach.

[07:59] "I love it when hot guys figure out that their career should be just very strange... Watching actors actually get to kind of, like, feast in his movies."

• Stephen: Criticizes the casting choice for portraying the introverted brother.

[09:29] "I felt like this is not who you get to play your schlub. You couldn't get someone of a slighter build to play as a schlub."

• Glenn: Highlights the film's eclectic character designs and era-mixing aesthetics.

[10:41] "They look like they could be pulled from a random assortment of eras and dropped into this main town... I was like, okay, we're at a whole new ball game now."

Thematic and Genre Placement

The conversation shifts to how "The Monkey" fits within the current horror genre landscape:

• Stephen: Feels the film is a throwback and lacks innovation compared to contemporaries like "Megan" and "Companion."

[13:11] "This film feels very much a throwback... It didn't elevate beyond horror concepts and tropes seen many times before."

• Glenn: Appreciates the film's integrity in delivering pure horror without overcomplicating its premise.

[14:23] "I admired the integrity of that. We're just gonna get gnarly. We're just gonna make people go, 'Oh God.'"

• Jordan: Reflects on the current state of horror cinema and its cultural impact.

[15:03] "Horror cinema is the codex of our history and our anxieties and our fears... I'm trying to reconcile with where does the more muted conversation around horror meet what we're doing in the genre right now."

What Is Making Us Happy This Week

After dissecting "The Monkey," the hosts transition to their beloved segment, focusing on personal picks that bring them joy.

Jordan Crucciola: "Silo" on Apple TV

Jordan enthusiastically recommends the sci-fi series "Silo", highlighting its intricate world-building and standout performance by Rebecca Ferguson:

[18:28] "It's about an underground community living in a silo because the outside is dangerous. The sets feel real, and Rebecca Ferguson is phenomenal—nobody is as strong as she is in this show."

Stephen Thompson: "Weft" by Blue Lake

Stephen shares his recent musical find, "Weft" by Blue Lake, praising its calming and instrumental nature:

[19:47] "It's gentle instrumentals with guitars, strings, and hypnotic drones. Perfect for sipping coffee on a Sunday morning. It's one of my go-tos for lowering my constantly surging blood pressure."

Glenn Weldon: "Dish" Podcast

Glenn introduces "Dish", a British podcast where hosts discuss food and share nostalgic culinary memories with celebrity guests:

[18:21] "It's about memories of food, like Marmite and mushy peas. The conversations are light, unforced, and utterly frictionless—perfectly comforting and rambling."

Conclusion

Glenn wraps up the episode by thanking his guests and encouraging listeners to engage with their discussions on social platforms:

[16:40] "Tell us what you think about 'The Monkey.' Find us on Facebook and Letterboxd. We'll have it linked in our episode description."

The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of "The Monkey," blending critical analysis with personal insights, and concludes with uplifting recommendations that cater to diverse tastes in entertainment and relaxation.

Notable Quotes:

• "I am pro 'The Monkey.' It is going for a lot tonally, but once I settled into what it was doing, I was along for the ride." — Jordan Crucciola [01:43]

• "Osgood Perkins is making a movie about generational trauma and the burden handed down from a missing father to these kids." — Stephen Thompson [02:35]

• "If you are willing to give yourself over to a particular kind of madness, there is a lot of fun to be had." — Jordan Crucciola [01:43]

• "This film feels very much a throwback... It didn't elevate beyond horror concepts and tropes seen many times before." — Stephen Thompson [13:11]

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