Sunday Scaries: Osgood Perkins is Officially a Master of Horror

The Sunday Scaries are upon us once again! Yes, as the weekend concludes, most of us feel an oncoming sense of anticipatory dread about the week ahead. Anxiety about work manifests itself into a feeling that’s known as the Sunday Scaries. However, we at Awards Radar are here to combat that, by taking back the name. Now, we want you think about a horror-centric piece on the site when you hear the term. So, let us continue on with another installment of the Awards Radar Sunday Scaries! Today, we’re celebrating a new master of horror on the scene…

With The Monkey now in theaters, audiences are appreciating Osgood Perkins‘ latest horror effort. The filmmaker now has made back to back bangers with this one and Longlegs, in the span of under a year, no less. This is the sort of accomplishment that warrants a bit of celebration, so that’s what we’re doing here. I spoke to him here for The Monkey and here for Longlegs, so also definitely check out those chats, especially since Theo James and Maika Monroe, respectively, join him for these.

As a reminder, this here is some of what I had to say about The Monkey:

When you get on a film’s wavelength, no matter what kind of a work it is, there’s a feeling that’s hard to beat. Especially when it’s an out there horror movie, you’re so attuned to the possibilities, anything that happens is a delight. In the case of The Monkey, the opening scene so perfectly sets you up for what’s to come, that you’re just excited to be along for the ride. This flick is such a good time, savagely funny and savagely gory in equal measure, it’s one of the best horror comedies in some time. 2025 is off to a hell of a year, horror wise.

The Monkey is incredibly different from Longlegs, the prior film from Osgood Perkins, but it’s just as clearly evidence that he’s a master of horror. This shows that he can go funny, which is a new exercise for the filmmaker. It’s a movie with a real devilish sense of humor. Sure, some folks may not be able to vibe with what he’s doing, but if you love horror, as well as genre works on the whole, this is an absolute riot that will shock you in all of the best ways.

Also as a refresher, this here is part of what I said about Longlegs:

I’m rarely scared by horror. Now, I love the genre, but the more you know how the sausage is made, an appreciation for scary movies does tend to lead to fewer and fewer actually frightening you. So, when I’m unnerved or even outright terrified by something, it bears notice. With Longlegs, the very essence of the film chilled me to my core. There are some scares to be found, sure, but the movie injects fear into your very marrow. Anything and everything can happen, which puts you on edge. This is a masterpiece of the genre and just out and out art. Nothing I’ve seen so far this year has come close to Longlegs. Yes, it’s that good.

Longlegs is the best serial killer horror film since The Silence of the Lambs. They don’t quite traffic in the same territory, but they’re cousins in some ways, notably in petrifying vibes, impeccable craftsmanship, and just overall quality. Watching this mix of police procedural, occult slayings, and atmospheric stress, you’re able to give yourself over to the filmmaker. For about 100 minutes, you’re allowing the possibilities of a great horror movie to just wash over you.

As you can see above, Perkins has keyed in to two very different types of horror. Last year, he got under my skin, along with scores of others. It was an existential nightmare of a movie. This week, he’s gone the horror comedy route, using gore and laughter to process death and grief. These exercises are supremely entertaining, truly unsettling, and impeccably crafted. He’s become a madman, but in the best way possible.

Next, Perkins has another 2025 release hitting in October with Keeper, so we could be elevating him even higher by the end of the year. The possibilities are endless. It really does feel like his three features prior to Longlegs were a training ground for mastery. The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, and Gretel & Hansel aren’t on the same level, but you can see what Perkins does in Longlegs and The Monkey evident in their infancy with those three. He now has this confidence to try anything, with the results more than speaking for themselves.

All in all, Osgood Perkins is, for my money, a stone cold master of horror now. His prior resume set him up for Longlegs and The Monkey to bring him to a whole other level. Where he goes next is truly anyone’s guess, but I for one am here for it. Consider me seated, as he’s one of the very best currently in the horror game…

Stay tuned for another Sunday Scaries installment next week!