Director Osgood Perkins reveals his next cinematic aspiration following the success of his latest film,The Monkey. An adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story,The Monkeyintertwines horror and dark comedy to tell the tale of twin brothers haunted by a cursed toy monkey that drums up a series of creatively grotesque deaths.The film features Theo Jamesin a dual role as Hal and Bill Shelburn, alongside Tatiana Maslany, Colin O’Brien, and Elijah Wood. Released on February 21,The Monkeynow boasts a 78% critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has since amassed $31 million globally.
In a recent Reddit AMA on the r/movies community,Perkinsexpressed an interest in adapting John Fowles' novelThe Magusfor the big screen after his successful adaptation of King’s work. This 1965 novel follows a disillusioned English schoolteacher who takes a job on a remote Greek island where he becomes embroiled in a deadly game orchestrated by a wealthy and enigmatic recluse.
What Perkin’s Next Literary Adaptation Means
From Haunted Toys To Twisted Minds
Fowles’The Magusfollows English teacher Nicholas Urfe, who struggles to distinguish reality from illusion as he’s subjected to a series of elaborate and surreal theatrical performances by a wealthy Greek recluse, Maurice Conchi. Fowles' novel was previously adapted in 1968.Starring Michael Caineand Anthony Quinn, the film came from a screenplay by Fowles himself. It was critically panned, with Caine later calling it one of the worst movies he ever made. However, given Perkins' track record of atmospheric and unsettling work,a new adaptation could redeem the novel’s cinematic legacy.
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With a growing reputation for compelling, high-concept horror,Perkins tacklingThe Maguscould make for a bold and fascinating adaptation.The Monkeyhas become a notable box office success, leaping into the top 20 highest-grossingStephen King moviesof all time worldwide, surpassing 1976’sCarrie. Perkins' previous literary adaptation,Gretel & Hansel, received a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes. More recently, his 2024 filmLonglegs, a psychological horror starring Nicolas Cage, was both a box office hit—earning an impressive $126 million on a $24 million budget—and a critical success.
Our Take On Perkins' Next Potential Adaptation
Will Perkins Crack The Code Of The Magus?
WithLonglegsandThe Monkey,director Osgood Perkinshas proven his ability to bring psychological complexity to his unsettling horror.The psychological labyrinth ofThe Magusseems like a fitting next challengefor the director, who could bring a fresh perspective and a distinct vision to Fowles' enigmatic novel. If realized, Perkins' adaptation of John Fowles’The Maguscould renew the novel’s cinematic legacy and further establish Perkins' momentum as a leading horror director.
