Overview
- The Focus Features release reaches U.S. theaters on Friday, May 15 following a raucous TIFF premiere that put the film on industry radars.
- Critics from The Hollywood Reporter, Polygon and UPI praise a fresh spin on the Monkey’s Paw trope that probes autonomy, entitlement and moral culpability.
- Inde Navarrette earns breakout notices for a turn that shifts from playful to frightening without giving away the film’s surprises.
- Trades recount a TIFF bidding war with A24 and Neon before Focus acquired the movie, and some outlets report Jason Blum is attached as an executive producer.
- Reviews flag intense violence and note a particularly shocking moment was toned down after the festival cut, underscoring Barker’s control of shock and suspense.