In the late nineties, twin brothers Hal and Bill discover a vintage wind-up drum-playing monkey among their missing father's belongings. After the boys activate the toy, horrific and bizarre fatal accidents begin striking people around them, including the accidental death of their babysitter and a fatal aneurysm suffered by their mother Lois. Hal disposes of the toy, but after moving to live with their relatives, it mysteriously reappears, and another activation leads to their uncle Chip being trampled by horses.
The brothers then seal the item in a box and discard it into a nearby well. Twenty-five years later, the siblings are estranged due to trauma and fear. Hal is detached from his own son, while Bill resents Hal for a past attempt on his life. When lethal accidents erupt again, Bill reveals he hired someone to retrieve the monkey from the well and has been deliberately winding it in retaliation, sparking a terrifying wave of carnage that forces the brothers to reunite.
The cursed wind-up monkey forces its owners into a cycle of tragic deaths whenever its key is turned.
Estranged twins Hal and Bill finally reconcile after decades of resentment and shared trauma.
The story leaves the supernatural origins of the toy open while focusing on the brothers' emotional closure.
Hal embraces his role alongside his son Petey to prevent future disasters and repair their relationship.
The final act of The Monkey escalates when Ricky, who has become dangerously obsessed with the cursed toy, holds Petey at gunpoint and forces him to retrieve it at Bill's residence. Bill instructs the young boy to turn the key, which immediately summons a swarm of wasps that kills Ricky. Soon after, Hal arrives at the house, prompting Bill to fly into a rage at the sight of his surviving brother.
Desperate to finish what he started, Bill attempts to force the toy to drum without turning the key, hoping to finally end Hal's life. Instead, this desperate action causes the monkey to beat its drum uncontrollably, unleashing widespread death and destruction across the entire town. Amidst the chaos, Hal confronts Bill directly.
Facing the catastrophic consequences of their lifelong feud, Bill finally surrenders. The twins share an emotional apology and reconcile over their deep, shared grief for their mother Lois. However, the terror is not quite over.
Shortly after their reconciliation, the monkey beats its drum one final time. In a shocking twist, Bill is suddenly decapitated by a flying bowling ball that bears their mother's name. In the aftermath, Hal and Petey drive through the devastated town.
They accept their fates as the new custodians of the cursed artifact and vow to ensure the key is never wound again. A mysterious pale, black-eyed man riding a horse passes by and acknowledges them, a figure one reading interprets as the Pale Horseman of the apocalypse. Seeking a fresh start and a way to heal their strained bond, Hal suggests they go dancing—a beloved activity of Lois—and Petey readily accepts.
What does the ending of The Monkey mean?
One reading of the conclusion is that the cursed monkey serves as a physical manifestation of generational trauma, unresolved sibling rivalry, and inherited guilt. Throughout The Monkey, the artifact weaponizes the unresolved resentment between Hal and Bill, proving that refusing to let go of past grievances only multiplies the suffering around them. The relentless cycle of violence stops only when the brothers choose vulnerability and forgiveness over revenge, suggesting that emotional reconciliation is the ultimate antidote to the curses of the past.
Additionally, the final image of Hal and Petey embracing their duty together signifies a break from the isolation that plagued Hal for decades. By bonding over their shared tragedy and remembering Lois through dancing, the father and son choose connection over fear, offering a bittersweet note of hope amidst total destruction.
Average audience ratings from the source database. Click a title to read its ending explained.
Where to watch The Monkey
How
Available on
Stream
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Listed for region IN. Availability varies by country.
The Monkey ending FAQ
What starts the killing sprees in The Monkey?
The deadly events are triggered whenever someone winds the key of the mysterious wind-up drum-playing toy monkey, which sets off a chain reaction of bizarre and fatal accidents for people nearby.
Why does Bill keep turning the key?
Bill turns the key out of deep-seated resentment and retaliation against Hal, who had tried to use the cursed toy to kill Bill when they were children.
Who dies at the very end of the movie?
Bill is killed near the conclusion when the monkey drums one last time, resulting in him being suddenly decapitated by a flying bowling ball bearing his mother's name.
Who is the horseman seen riding through town?
The pale man with black eyes riding a horse is implied to represent the Pale Horseman, and he passes by Hal and Petey as the father and son navigate the ruined streets.
Does the story explain where the monkey came from?
The narrative leaves the supernatural origins of the monkey completely open, focusing instead on how the cursed object impacts the surviving family members rather than explaining its creation.
Where can I watch The Monkey?
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Availability listed for region IN and varies by country.
The Monkey cast
Actor
Character
Theo James
Hal / Bill
Tatiana Maslany
Lois
Christian Convery
Young Hal / Young Bill
Colin O'Brien
Petey
Adam Scott
Captain Petey Shelborn
Elijah Wood
Ted
Rohan Campbell
Thrasher / Ricky
Sarah Levy
Aunt Ida
Movie
★ 7.1
Buddy ending explained
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