This 10/10 HBO Thriller Adapts A Book Stephen King Loved

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Many people consider HBO’s Sharp Objects a must-watch thriller, and it’s even been praised by Stephen King. Released in 2018, the series is based on Gillian Flynn’s first novel, also called Sharp Objects, and offers a suspenseful and disturbing look at the American South.

Gillian Flynn is famous for writing Gone Girl, but her first novel, Sharp Objects, came out several years earlier. While Gone Girl is known for its clever and surprising plot twists, Sharp Objects is a much more unsettling and grim story. Both the book and the TV miniseries it inspired center around a series of disturbing murders.

Amy Adams stars as Camille Preaker, a journalist battling personal issues like self-harm and alcoholism. She returns to her hometown to investigate the disturbing murders of several teenage girls, but is also forced to confront a difficult relationship with her controlling mother, her unsettling half-sister, and painful memories from her past.

HBO’s Sharp Objects Adapts A Gillian Flynn Novel That Stephen King Recommended

With its dark, shocking, and unpredictable nature, Sharp Objects is more disturbing than Gillian Flynn’s later work, Gone Girl, and the TV series amplifies this unsettling feeling. Right from the start, as Camille returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, it’s obvious she’s unable to outrun her troubled history and complicated family.

This mystery series creates a powerfully unsettling atmosphere, comparable to the first season of True Detective or the darkest moments of Twin Peaks. It’s largely thanks to a captivating performance from Adams, who portrays Camille as deeply traumatized, anxious, and surprisingly playful. She’s a refreshingly unconventional lead character, making the unfolding mystery even more compelling. It’s no wonder horror master Stephen King praised the original book.

Stephen King famously described the book as ‘admirablely nasty’ and shared his opinions on the 2018 HBO series while it was on air. Flynn compiled King’s original review and tweets about the show, and it’s clear the HBO miniseries successfully captured the book’s compelling darkness and intensity.

Despite being only eight hours long, the TV series Sharp Objects creates a feeling of growing tension much more slowly than the novel. This was a bold choice by the show’s creators, who deliberately slowed down the pace to emphasize Camille’s discomfort as she returned to her hometown.

Sharp Objects Lived Up To Its Source Novel

Director Jean-Marc Vallée, known for his work on shows like Big Little Lies, skillfully weaves together scenes from different time periods to reveal Camille’s life story. The series is enhanced by a fantastic performance from Sophia Lillis, who plays Camille as a young woman, and her scenes are particularly compelling when compared to those featuring her half-sister, Amma.

Amma, played by Eliza Scanlen (known from Little Women), appears to be a sweet and innocent teenager, but her overly childish behavior hides a darker side. Scanlen skillfully portrays Amma as both a playful prankster and someone deeply troubled, making it difficult for the audience to know what she’s truly capable of.

With a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the TV series Sharp Objects received the same high praise as Gillian Flynn’s original novel did when it was first published twelve years ago. The show’s success has led to plans for an HBO miniseries based on Flynn’s second novel, Dark Places, despite the fact that a film adaptation of that book already came out in 2015.

Sharp Objects Is A Rare 10/10 HBO Thriller Series

I was really excited when they announced this project, especially since Gone Girl did so well, even though I thought it relied a bit too much on Charlize Theron’s performance and wasn’t a particularly scary thriller. I know Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places isn’t her strongest book, so I’m curious to see if they can fix the complicated plot with the same approach they used for Sharp Objects. Hopefully, they can make this overstuffed mystery work!

No matter how the next project is received, Sharp Objects absolutely earned the praise both the book and TV series received from Stephen King. Luckily for new writers, King is known for enthusiastically recommending books he loves – he’s shared countless 10/10 thriller recommendations on platforms like X and through book cover endorsements over the years.

Even among truly great thrillers, Sharp Objects stands out. The TV adaptation features a shocking twist ending that’s even more unsettling than the original book, making it one of the few thrillers that successfully sticks the landing.

From beginning to end, Sharp Objects is a gripping and unpredictable thriller. It’s highly recommended for fans of suspenseful stories, those who enjoy Gillian Flynn’s work, and anyone who appreciates Stephen King’s recommendations. It’s quickly become a standout modern thriller.

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2025-11-13 00:39