Currently, Stephen King‘s adaptations are thriving with “The Monkey” being a critical and commercial hit, and “The Life of Chuck” set to be released soon. As the most frequently adapted living author, King’s works have been the basis for numerous films and TV miniseries dating back to Brian De Palma’s “Carrie” in 1976. Over the years, several timeless classics have emerged from these adaptations, including Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” David Cronenberg’s “The Dead Zone,” John Carpenter’s “Christine,” Rob Reiner’s “Stand by Me,” and Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption.” It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Stephen King’s work.
After that, we come across films that didn’t quite hit the mark, such as “Graveyard Shift,” “The Dark Half,” and “Maximum Overdrive.” Interestingly, these were directed by King himself. However, let’s talk about the Stephen King adaptations that don’t quite fit into either the successful or unsuccessful categories. These are the ones that, although not flawless, tend to be more forgotten than remembered. These are the adaptations we’ll discuss next, and they might be worth a watch if you come across them.
Creepshow 2
In simple terms, “Creepshow 2” is a compact yet sturdy anthology movie with only three parts. This is due to budgetary limitations, as it was originally intended to have five stories, two of which were from Stephen King’s works. Among the three that made it, only one, “The Raft,” is adapted from a King story (which you can find in the collection titled “Skeleton Crew”). Notably, “The Raft” stands out as the best among the three. “The Hitchhiker” features a strong lead performance by Lois Chiles from “Moonraker”, and Stephen King himself makes a cameo appearance. In “Old Chief Wood’nhead,” Holt McCallany, who starred in “Mindhunters,” delivers an unrecognizable performance as the main antagonist.
Stream Creepshow 2 on Prime Video.
Cat’s Eye
In terms of anthology horror films adapted from Stephen King’s works, “Cat’s Eye” ranks last, but it has its own value. Similar to “Creepshow 2”, there are only three tales in this film, yet the financial constraints aren’t as noticeable. Additionally, two out of the three segments are derived from King’s stories, which adds a unique touch to the movie.
In this anthology film titled Night Shift, both “Quitters, Inc.” and “The Ledge” are based on stories originally found in the collection, while the concluding tale, “General,” is an original creation. It’s worth noting that the adaptations from King’s work outshine the original closing story. “Quitters, Inc.,” starring James Woods, stands out as exceptional. This story revolves around a man who, at his friend’s suggestion, seeks help from a peculiar establishment called “Quitters, Inc.” to quit smoking using unconventional methods. “The Ledge” is almost equally impressive and offers a refreshing departure from much of King’s usual work, similar to the short story that served as its inspiration.
Silver Bullet
According to Stephen King’s lively graphic novella “Cycle of the Werewolf”, the underrated ’80s gem “Silver Bullet” stands as a hidden treasure for young horror enthusiasts. While Sissy Spacek, Jack Nicholson, and Kathy Bates have garnered well-deserved recognition for their roles in King adaptations, Gary Busey’s performance in this film is one of the unacknowledged standouts among King’s movie interpretations.
I might find the werewolf in “Silver Bullet” rather goofy, but with an exceptional cast – featuring Corey Haim, Everett McGill from “The People Under the Stairs”, and Terry O’Quinn from “Lost” – and its endearing, approachable vibe, it truly stands out. Among R-rated horror films that are suitable for kids, there aren’t many that can surpass the charm of this silver screen gem.
Stream Silver Bullet for free on Pluto TV.
Thinner
Similar to “The Running Man” and “The Long Walk,” both of which are being adapted, Stephen King wrote “Thinner” under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Among his works, none of the Bachman books hold a prominent place, much like how “The Running Man” didn’t with Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, “Thinner” has certain aspects that help it surpass its less-than-favorable reputation to some extent.
Initially, Tom Holland’s last major production, a film often overlooked by critics, served as the starting point. Known for directing “Fright Night” in 1985 and the original “Child’s Play”, Holland was at the helm. Additionally, Robert John Burke, who played Seth in “The Last of Us” Season 2 and took on Peter Weller’s large robotic boots in “RoboCop 3”, made a valiant effort to inject some character into the narrative’s generally dislikable main figure. It appears that Burke recognized Holland wasn’t aiming for a conventional horror film, an approach that some critics at the time found fault with.
Stream Thinner for free on Pluto TV.
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Although The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt are generally considered more acclaimed than George A. Romero’s Tales from the Darkside, it’s worth noting that the latter show had its own appeal too. Released a year after Romero directed Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside was essentially intended to be a continuation of that series. However, Warner Bros. held certain rights to the film that prevented it from being called Creepshow, but the fundamental link between them remained intact.
Two episodes from the TV series “Tales from the Darkside” were inspired by stories written by Stephen King, and when it came to the movie version, his works were again a source of inspiration. Notably, the middle story, titled “The Cat from Hell”, was initially intended for “Creepshow 2”. While this adaptation is well done, some might argue that the third and final story, “Lover’s Vow”, stands out as the most impressive among them all.
Stream Tales from the Darkside: The Movie for free on Pluto TV.
Dolores Claiborne
Five years following her Academy Award victory for Best Actress in Rob Reiner’s “Misery” and a year after her appearance in the TV miniseries “The Stand,” Kathy Bates revisited the world of Stephen King with the film “Dolores Claiborne.” Similar to the 1992 novel it was based on, “Dolores Claiborne” deviated from many of King’s horror stories, but it retained his distinctive somber atmosphere and affection for the state of Maine.
The plot revolves around Selena St. George, portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is the estranged daughter and is back in Little Tall Island, Maine, after her mother, Claiborne, stands accused of murdering her employer. Despite uncertainties about the details of the death, people believe she’s guilty because they suspect she also killed her husband 18 years ago. Detective John Mackey (Christopher Plummer) is determined to finally put Claiborne in prison for these crimes. Bates delivers a remarkable performance in this role, distinct from her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery. However, due to the exceptional and faithful adaptation of Misery (even when it deviates from the original story), Dolores Claiborne has largely been overshadowed in the annals of King movie adaptations.
Apt Pupil
Stephen King’s 1982 anthology “Different Seasons” stands apart from other works like “Night Shift” and “Skeleton Crew”. Unlike those collections that are heavily horror-focused, this one is filled with dramas that subtly incorporate horror elements. For instance, a story might revolve around the search for a body. The book consists of four tales, three of which have been turned into movies: “The Shawshank Redemption”, “Stand by Me”, and “Apt Pupil”. Both “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Stand by Me” remain popular and financially successful to this day. However, the movie adaptation of “Apt Pupil” didn’t receive as much attention.
The movie, despite being overshadowed by two high-profile adaptations, truly merits independent recognition. Brad Renfro delivers an outstanding performance as Todd Bowden, a high school student with an obsessive fascination with Nazis. His talent, evident in films like “The Client” and “Sleepers,” was apparent from the start of his acting career, and it’s unfortunate that we didn’t get to see more of what he could have offered had he not passed away at 25 due to an overdose. However, “Apt Pupil” belongs equally to Ian McKellen. This film predates their collaboration in “X-Men,” and the contrast between their roles couldn’t be more stark. In “X-Men,” McKellen played Magneto, a Holocaust survivor. Here, he portrays a Nazi war criminal hiding in suburbia. The film might be challenging to watch due to its unlikable protagonists, but that’s what makes it a unique addition to King’s works, and even today, an unexpected choice for adaptation.
Stream Apt Pupil on Prime Video.
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2025-04-26 20:41