Stephen King’s 60th book, 11/22/63, published in 2011, was a unique and ambitious story that blended science fiction with historical events in an everyday setting. King actually did more research than usual for this novel, and the effort paid off. He described the writing process to the Wall Street Journal as feeling unfamiliar at first, like getting used to something new. The popular book was later turned into a miniseries that debuted on Hulu on February 15, 2016.
The series, titled 11.22.63 (written as 11.22.63 instead of 11/22/63 like the book), is celebrating its 10th anniversary and still feels incredibly current. Created by J.J. Abrams, known for Star Wars and Lost, the sci-fi show features James Franco as Jake Epping, a divorced English teacher from Maine. Jake is given the opportunity to travel back to the 1960s and try to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Once in the past, he grows fond of the era, which, predictably, makes his mission more difficult.
‘11.22.63’ Is a Near-Perfect Stephen King Adaptation
Hulu
Look, as a Stephen King fan, I’ve seen a lot of adaptations, and honestly, the quality is wildly inconsistent. For every great one, there’s a dud. But 11.22.63? That one absolutely nails it. I have to give showrunner Bridget Carpenter a huge amount of credit. She clearly understood the source material and had the good sense to leave the novel’s deeper themes intact. Messing with that story would have been a real disservice.
James Franco, who’s currently not working much in Hollywood, gives a great performance in this film. He was particularly excited about the project because he was a longtime fan of the original book. He actually reached out to Stephen King about making a movie based on it, only to find out J.J. Abrams already owned the rights. Franco then wrote an article about the book for Vice, which caught the attention of both Abrams and director John Carpenter, ultimately leading to him being cast in the role.
One of the best things about 11.22.63 is how it handles time travel. Unlike many shows, it consistently emphasizes that altering the past has serious repercussions and that history is difficult, if not impossible, to change. The show repeatedly highlights that the past is stubborn and will always find a way to remain consistent. So, when Jake stops Kennedy’s assassination, it creates unexpected and negative changes for both him and the world – like a prejudiced politician becoming president. However, that’s not where the story ends.
‘11.22.63’ Is Precise and Easy to Binge-Watch
Hulu
If you’re looking for a new show to watch, check out 11.22.63 – it’s been a hit on Netflix since January! With just eight episodes, it’s a quick and easy binge. It’s based on Stephen King’s lengthy 849-page book, but the series stays true to the story and doesn’t leave out any important details.
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2026 seems like a good time to revisit older Stephen King adaptations, as there aren’t many new ones planned. While Mike Flanagan is creating a TV series based on Carrie for Amazon Prime Video, it’s unlikely to be better than Brian De Palma’s original film. Season 2 of The Institute is also on the way, but it hasn’t generated much excitement.
Besides James Franco, the actors in 11.22.63 all did a fantastic job, and many are now starring in exciting new projects. Lucy Fry, who played Marina Oswald, will return for another season of the popular show Godfather of Harlem. Daniel Webber, who portrayed Lee Harvey Oswald, will appear in War Machine with Alan Ritchson, and George MacKay will be featured in a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Let’s revisit 11.22.63 and remember how great it was!
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2026-02-15 21:35