There’s something about “based on the bestselling novel” that seems to lend credibility where most other source material only subtracts it. That effect might be even greater when that bestseller comes from the ever-popular and massively iconic master of horror Stephen King.
The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, The Shining,some of the greatest films of all time are adaptations, some looser than others, ofstories written by Stephen King. With 63 novels and 200 short stories to his name, some on-screen takes on his work fall hard, but others are solid films that don’t get the recognition they deserve.
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Doctor Sleep
Mike Flanagan’s first Stephen King adaptation was the powerful masterpieceGerald’s Game, but his secondwas an impressive featof filmmaking that tragically flopped at the box office.Doctor Sleepis an adaptation of the book that shares its name, which is a sequel to Stephen King’s 1977 novelThe Shining, while also being a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s famously loose take on the book. It somehow bridges the gap between King and Kubrick, tying both into a cathartic and satisfying universe that all builds into a thrilling new story.
The plot centers around Dan Torrance, the now-adult son of Jack, trying to use the gift that has only ever hurt him to help a young girl in terrible danger. Dan struggles to processthe trauma he experienced at the Overlookas he battles a terrifying new threat. This film was accused of over-reliance on its predecessor, and while the marketing definitely fell into that trap, the full movie re-contextualizes its past into its main character’s present. It’s an intelligent and gripping film that not enough people gave a chance.
Cujo
Lewis Teague’s1983 adaptation ofStephen King’s 1981 novel is one of the simplest horror films of all time. The plot can be summarized in a sentence; a big friendly St. Bernard contracts rabies and terrorizes a family in the midst of a domestic quarrel. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, the dog isn’t secretly a monster or possessed by an evil spirit, it’s just a regular animal afflicted with a debilitating brain disease.
The family drama of the piece is a solid b-plot, but the entire story centers entirely on the desperate struggle to survive Cujo. This film wasn’t very popular on initial release, but it’s developed something of a cult following over the decades. The subgenre ofhorror films about killer animalsis massive, and this is one of the strongest entries in that wide-reaching canon.
1408
This film did well upon its initial release in 2007 but didhave a bit of troubleescaping the shadow of the other Stephen King adaptation set in a hotel. John Cusack stars as Mike Enslin, an author who cynically investigates the paranormal while harboring no belief in the subject. After a mysterious warning, Enslin enters a reportedly cursed hotel room and finds the horrific truth much darker than he could’ve imagined. What follows is a time-bending nightmare that leaves the audience in a web of intricate details and unnerving absurdity.
The film has evolved since its initial release, coming out with multiple alternate endings, each with tremendous implications for its characters. Director Mikael Håfström turns a haunting short story into a sprawling horror mystery composed of many fascinating depths. This film isn’t talked about very often today, but it deserves to be remembered as a classic of the late-2000s horror cinema.
The Mist
If there’s one director who best understands King’s work, it’s unquestionably Frank Darabont. The creator who helmed thefirst season ofThe Walking Deadalso broughtThe Shawshank RedemptionandThe Green Mileto the big screen as the masterpieces they are. Those films are excellent, but his third and final King-based film to date was an unfairly underappreciated classic that sticks with its audience.
This film is Darabont’s take on King’s answer to the powerful subgenre of Lovecraft-inspired horror. It’s about a man and his son, trapped in a grocery store by an opaque fog that hides nightmarish creatures. As the small group of survivors attempts to wait out the situation, factions form, society breaks down, and the outside begins to look safer than the inside. This film is a tough watch, but even its cruel ending is a rare and moving cinematic choice.The Mistis outstanding and must be seen to be believed.
Cat’s Eye
Lewis Teague’s second Stephen King adaptation is a very different beast from his first.Cat’s Eyeis an anthology thatcomprises two of King’s short stories and a third entirely original narrative. The eponymous cat is the linking element, reintroduced as a full character in the third story.
Made on a tiny budget, the film was a success in its day but is rarely mentioned in the modern-day. The three stories are engaging, bizarre, and efficient, managing to tell a complete tale in a short time. King is often more famous for his short stories and this film provides the most direct translation of that skill-set of his and more.
