As a devoted admirer of both Stephen King and Mike Flanagan’s exceptional storytelling prowess, I must express my deepest admiration for the cinematic masterpiece that is “Gerald’s Game.” It was not just an impressive adaptation but a testament to the indomitable spirit of creativity and perseverance.
Prior to making a name for himself on Netflix with acclaimed series like “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Fall of the House of Usher”, filmmaker Mike Flanagan established a career-long pattern of interpreting Stephen King’s works. Netflix has a history of Stephen King adaptations, having produced titles such as “In the Tall Grass”, “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”, and “1922”, but none have been as remarkable as “Gerald’s Game”. This film not only solidified Flanagan’s position at Netflix but also earned him the title of the primary Stephen King adapter, as it was based on a book that was thought to be unfilmable. The movie that not only guaranteed Flanagan’s standing at Netflix but opened the door for him as the go-to Stephen King guy is not just Netflix’s best adaptation of the horror master, but one long considered unadaptable – 2017’s “Gerald’s Game”.
1992 saw the publication of “Gerald’s Game”, a novel that was initially deemed difficult to adapt, but remarkably, its essence remained consistent from page to screen. The narrative revolves around Jessie Burlingame (portrayed by Carla Gugino in the movie) and her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood). During their weekend getaway to their Maine lakeside home, an unusual game unfolds: Gerald handcuffs Jessie to the bed with the intention of indulging in a sexual fantasy, but his actions escalate into something sinister as he intends to rape her while she’s bound. Shocked and distraught, Jessie struggles to free herself and argues with her husband, leading to a tragic turn of events: Gerald suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving Jessie trapped and helpless.
In the course of the narrative, Jessie finds herself bound to the bed, and gradually hallucinates various individuals appearing and conversing with her. These aren’t just ordinary people; they include her younger self, an alternate version of herself, acquaintances from her past, and more. As she slips further into delirium, a new figure materializes within the house – a spectral entity who presents her with a collection of oddities such as trinkets and human bones.
As a movie critic, I must confess that I initially found the notion of adapting this book into a film quite daunting. The story primarily unfolds within a single room, with the protagonist seemingly bound to her location, engaging in lengthy self-dialogues and revisiting her harrowing past events. Moreover, the presence of other characters, whose authenticity is questionable, adds an extra layer of complexity to the production process.
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of bringing this tale to life, having been captivated by Stephen King’s works since my youth. While attending college, I read the book and was left spellbound, yet convinced it couldn’t be adapted into a movie. Over half of my life has been dedicated to making this film happen. In an interview with The Independent, Flanagan once shared this sentiment.
It’s worth mentioning that Gerald’s Game, a horror movie, is one of the highest-rated on Netflix and stands out as their best Stephen King adaptation. At present, it has been labeled “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 91% approval rating. This isn’t just due to Carla Gugino’s remarkable performance, but also director Mike Flanagan’s skill in adapting seemingly unadaptable material.
The success of Gerald’s Game opened up opportunities for Mike Flanagan to demonstrate his skills not just as a visual storyteller, but also as someone who truly grasps King’s work. Following Gerald’s Game, Flanagan’s next projects included Doctor Sleep in 2019, another novel by King that was initially thought unfilmable. This year, he released another Stephen King movie, The Life of Chuck, which won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. In the near future, Flanagan will adapt Carrie into a limited TV series and bring The Dark Tower to life through a series of interconnected films and shows.
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2024-10-30 07:09