Performance & Direction: The Monkey's Paw Review
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Monkey's Paw (1948) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Monkey's Paw features a noteworthy lineup led by Milton Rosmer . Supported by the likes of Megs Jenkins and Michael Martin Harvey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Monkey's Paw
Quick Plot Summary: The Monkey's Paw is a Thriller film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Monkey's Paw
Ending Breakdown: The Monkey's Paw attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Monkey's Paw reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Monkey's Paw?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Monkey's Paw
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Where to Watch The Monkey's Paw Online?
Streaming HubThe Monkey's Paw Parents Guide & Age Rating
1948 AdvisoryWondering about The Monkey's Paw age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Monkey's Paw is 63 minutes (1h 3m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Monkey's Paw is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1948 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Monkey's Paw worth watching?
The Monkey's Paw is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Monkey's Paw parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Monkey's Paw identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Monkey's Paw?
The total duration of The Monkey's Paw is 63 minutes, which is approximately 1h 3m long.
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How The Monkey's Paw Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Monkey's Paw
A small shop-keeping family acquire a rather gruesome looking monkey's paw from a passing peddler who promises them it will bring good luck - something they need as "Mr. Trelawne" (Milton Rosmer) has got himself into bother with a local bookie over a £200 debt he has run up. A slightly comically over-made up Megs Jenkins plays his wife with Eric Mickelwood as "Tom" their twenty something son who decides that he can perhaps win the money by racing his new car "Alice" at a local racetrack. Needless to say, they try to use the talisman to help them out and disaster accompanies them each time... The problem with this whole story is that it is way too short; if you wish on the paw then you get your wish but pay a terrible price - but that's it; there isn't anything else to do with the hour, so whilst it concludes in quite an eery and atmospheric fashion (helped by some creative use of thunderstorm sound effects) the rest of it is character establishment and as such is quite dull and unremarkable.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
