Be careful what you wish for, especially if it’s a demon-infested monkey paw wrapped in Middle Eastern folklore. That’s the warning embedded in Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw, a horror reimagining of one of the most iconic fairytales. Long gone are magic carpets and playful genies — this version of the street rat’s story trades musical numbers for malevolent spirits and deadly consequences.
Following in the blood-streaked footsteps of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, the indie horror industry’s latest target is Agrabah. Or rather, a cursed version of it set in modern-day London. According to Deadline, the project is entering production next month in the UK under the collaboration of Empire Studios, Every Entertainment, and 8th Law Pictures. Writer Charley McDougall (The Reckoning) pens the script, with Terrifier 3‘s Bradley Stryker directing and starring in the film. The cast includes Nick Sagar (Queen of the South), Ricky Norwood (EastEnders), Montana Manning (Tell Me Everything), and Stryker himself.
According to the creative team, this is not just another horror adaptation playing with nostalgia. “We always wanted to explore horror through a personal lens — not just the scares, but the human cost of wishes,” said McDougall. “This story’s been haunting us for a while, and it’s time to let it loose. The best horror films haunt you long after the credits roll. That’s what this story does. It’s sharp, emotional, and full of dread in all the right ways. We’re not just making another horror film — we’re building a world around a truly iconic concept. The paw, the mythology, the characters — it’s all there.”
Stryker echoed that sentiment, “This film will be so much fun — it’s all about the peaks and valleys; the highs of lows of what we deem our dreams and desires… and then we slam that into a genre film in which the stakes have never been more diabolical and entertaining.”
The premise is familiar yet twisted: A modern-day Londoner, Aladdin, inherits an ancient monkey’s paw believed to grant wishes, only to discover that every desire comes at a soul-crushing price. As those around him fall victim to its curse, he must confront a growing evil — and the demonic force that feeds on every wish made.
This version of Aladdin is part of a growing trend driven by public domain law. Once early versions of classic tales lose their copyright protection, independent studios are free to reimagine them in new ways, often for shock value. This has already given rise to the so-called Twisted Childhood Universe. Starting with Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey in 2023, this loosely connected series of horror films has found an unexpected audience despite critical pans. Sequels to Blood and Honey have followed, with future releases like Bambi: The Reckoning, Pinocchio: Unstrung, and Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble on the way.
Whether Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw resonates with horror fans or becomes another viral oddity remains to be seen. But if the production team delivers on their vision, it could turn one of pop culture’s most upbeat stories into something truly bone-chilling.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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