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I've seen a lot of movies where the teenage guy parks in a car with the girl he loves. This is the first one where he parks with a girl in the car he loves. I knew guys like this in high school. They spent their lives customizing their cars. Their girlfriends were accessories who ranked higher, say, than foam-rubber dice, but lower than dual carbs.

The car is named "Christine." It's a bright red 1958 Plymouth Fury, one of those cars that used to sponsor the Lawrence Welk Show, with tail fins that were ripped off for the " Jaws " ad campaign. This car should have been recalled, all right: to hell. It kills one guy and maims another before it's off the assembly line. Its original owner comes to a sad end in the front seat. And later, when Christine is 21 years old and rusting away, Arnie buys her.

Arnie is a wimp. He's the kind of guy you'd play jokes on during lunch period, telling him the class slut wanted to talk to him, and then hiding his lunch tray while she was telling him to get lost. The kind of guy who was always whining, "Come on, guys -- the joke's over!" But after Arnie buys Christine, he undergoes a strange metamorphosis. He becomes cool. He starts looking better. He stops with the greasy kid stuff. He starts going out with the prettiest girl in the school.

That's where he makes his mistake. Christine gets jealous. The entire movie depends, of course, on our willingness to believe that a car can have a mind of its own. I have believed in stranger things in the movies. Christine can drive around without a driver, play appropriate 1950s rock songs, lock people inside, and repair its own crushed fenders. The car is another inspiration from Stephen King , the horror novelist who specializes in thrillers about everyday objects. Earlier this year we got his "Cujo," about a rabid St. Bernard, and any day now I expect him to announce "Amityville IV: The Garage-Door-Opener."

"Christine" is, of course, utterly ridiculous. But I enjoyed it anyway. The movies have a love affair with cars, and at some dumb elemental level we enjoy seeing chases and crashes. In fact, under the right circumstances there is nothing quite so exhilarating as seeing a car crushed, and one of the best scenes in "Christine" is the one where the car forces itself into an alley that's too narrow for it.

"Christine" was directed by John Carpenter , who made " Halloween ," and his method is to take the story more or less seriously. One grin and the mood would be broken. But by the end of the movie, Christine has developed such a formidable personality that we are actually taking sides during its duel with a bulldozer. This is the kind of movie where you walk out with a silly grin, get in your car, and lay rubber halfway down the Eisenhower.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Christine (1983)

110 minutes

Keith Gordon as Arnie

John Stockwell as Dennis

Alexandra Paul as Leigh

Robert Prosky as Garage owner

Harry Dean Stanton as Junkins

Directed by

John Carpenter

Produced by

Richard Kobritz

From a screenplay by

Bill Phillips

Photographed by

Donald M. Morgan

Based on the novel by

Stephen King

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The cracks are starting to show in John Carpenter's directorial instincts, but Christine is nonetheless silly, zippy fun.

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Why CHRISTINE Is Secretly The Best Stephen King Movie

Christine is one of John Carpenter's most underrated films.

John Carpenter has a history of being underappreciated. Although referred to as the "Master of Horror" by commentators today, he has long been a filmmaker who's had to be patient for praise. Contemporary success and acclaim were rare for the writer, director and composer, who left the '70s as one of the medium's hottest up-and-coming prospects with works like Assault on Precinct 13 and Halloween, but ended the following decade with a less-endeared reputation

That may seem bizarre today, where Carpenter-directed works like The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China are largely hailed as genre masterpieces, but at the time, much of his eighties output was either slated or met with more tepid assessments from critics. Some, still, are waiting for a true reappraisal, with 1983's Christine - a stylish and fiery adaptation of the Stephen King novel which turned 40 in 2023 - arguably the most overlooked.

Released in the wake of the critical and box office failure of The Thing - which led to Carpenter being dumped off another King adaptation in Firestarter - Christine was, in Carpenter's own words, "a job", a project he "needed to do" as opposed to something borne out of passion like his ultimate Hawksian tribute from a year before.

Not that you'd be able to tell that when watching Christine, however. It is one of Carpenter's most fired-up and well-executed efforts - a movie that translates King's brand of horror to the big screen while maintaining the feisty political throughline seen in many of the director's other works. In doing so, Carpenter's Christine transcends the typical trappings of other King adaptations, capturing the spectre of fifties nostalgia in a blood-red Plymouth Fury and setting it loose on the Reagan generation.

[Article continues on next page...]

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.

Christine (1983)

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Mike’s Review: Christine (1983)

★★★★ .5 out of ★★★★★

Directed by john carpenter..

On the edge of the 40th anniversary of the seminal John Carpenter- Stephen King mashup it’s high time we pay proper due to a legitimate horror classic. Coupled with the fact that Blumhouse is in the works of producing a questionable remake — due in 2022/2023 — and the fact that this 1983 joint is now streaming on Netflix in UHD, it makes it the perfect time to consider where this fits in to the pantheon of horror greats.

For the deeply uninitiated, Christine , by the Stephen King book of the same name, is the 1983 auto horror classic that follows a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury . Interestingly, because King was the hot property in 1983 the book was released the same year as the film. The book was released in April and the film was released in December 1983. Barely seven months from start to finish.

While the book and film do diverge on a number of important plot points — most importantly Christine “dies” in the film (maybe), but potentially lives on in the book (also maybe). What the book and film both hold is an exceptionally real and raw friendship between the nebbish nerd, Arnie ( Keith Gordon , Jaws 2) and the hunky quarterback Dennis ( John Stockwell ). In both cases the dialog and interchange between the lifelong friends is incredibly authentic. King and Carpenter have always had a great eye for teen talent and it comes through in resounding fashion.

Looking back at Christine nearly 40 years later it’s easy to get caught up in a jaundiced view of this horror classic. It’s mostly, save for a well timed bit at the end of the film, void of jump scares and instead relies on the transformational and maniacal shift in uber-nerd Arnie. In much the same way that Dr. Frankenstein concocts his monster and also goes through a significant life change, so does Arnie. The difference of course is that Arnie takes on the coolest of the cool persona, whereas Dr. Frankenstein just goes stark raving mad. But the idea is the same — obsessing over the idea of bringing the inanimate back to life. We’re not saying King ripped-off Shelley, but the fundamental underpinnings are awfully similar.

By all accounts, Christine was a big budget Hollywood production. Carpenter was at the top of his game. Halloween , The Fog, Escape from New York, and The Thing . All back-to-back-to-back. And all leading to auto terror — Christine. Producer Richard Korbitz, involved with the made-for-TV miniseries Salem’s Lot , was hot on the idea of Carpenter helming something King-related, but as the early 1980s hotness, he was unavailable. When Christine became available as a property, Carpenter was intrigued, but ultimately didn’t think there were many scares to be had.

Arguably, Carpenter was right. The scares, like many of Kings books and projects, don’t come from chainsaws, ghosts, and gore, they come from an uneasy look at one’s own psychological constitution and the defects that we all face. Carpenter, thanks to an unassailable cast, is able to connect audiences with a credible and convincing teenage experience.

Parental clashes, uncertainty about the feminine character from the male perspective (including an early performance by Kelly Preston) bullies, and the need for status all play out in a harmonious way. Sadly, while both Keith Gordon and John Stockwell stuck with the film industry, neither stuck too closely to the horror genre.

In addition to the exceptional casting, dialogue, and acting is another mind-blowing John Carpenter soundtrack. Carpenter’s Tangerine Dream-like synth-opus is punctuated by a series of well known and well timed 1950s rock classics. The soundtrack is not overbearing. It sits perfectly in the background and is very additive and selective. Coming around at the perfect time, Carpenter and partner Alan Howarth hit all the spooky beats.

In 1983, thanks to Spokane’s “Best Rock” (KEZE 106 FM), I was able to take in a free showing at the local IMAX theater with hundreds of Stephen King-addled stoners. In 2022, on the eve of Christine’s 40th anniversary, I was blessed to join my cat on the couch to take in one of Neflix’s better horror offerings. In both cases, I was duly impressed, but for entirely different reasons.

While the details of the Blumhouse reboot are largely unavailable, here’s to hoping they’re able to keep the same authenticity of the book and this 1983 spookshow. Gas up the rig, or plug in your EV, and scoot out to your local video store. You won’t be disappointed!

Christine is Rated R and currently streaming on Netflix.

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Christine (Movie Review)

Evan slead's rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ director: john carpenter | release date: 1983.

It seems that not only has writer Stephen King dominated the horror literature world, but he's managed to get most of his stories adapted into feature length films. His stories have been reimagined for the screen by some of Hollywood's best talents like Brian de Palma with Carrie , Stanley Kubrick with The Shining , and Rob Reiner with Stand By Me and Misery . This of course shows how powerful King's works have been in mainstream media in comparison with other horror novelists. Compare this career to director John Carpenter and an interesting pairing is formed. Carpenter does not have a background with novelizations, however his ability to take typically B-film focused material and launch it into the mainstream consciousness is on par with King's career. It comes with no surprise to see that the two media makers worked together as Carpenter used King's screenplay adaptation of his novel Christine to create the film of the same name in 1983. King has always had a unique touch with the plots he unravels and Christine is no different as it revolves around a killer car. Due to the bizarre nature of the story it was key to have Carpenter direct; a decision that pays off in full. While the film is not the best in Carpenter's catalogue of work (or even King's for that matter) it does deliver an engaging and tonally terrifying experience.

Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) is a nerd. Not too different from Carrie White, Arnie is either invisible to everyone around him or he's being picked on by the tough guys at school. Thankfully Arnie isn't alone though as his best friend Dennis (John Stockwell) tries his best to keep Arnie safe and sound. Overbearing parents, no love life, and even the lack of a car keeps Arnie in the lower sanctum of high school consciousness. After surviving a knife fight, Arnie and Dennis come across a deal that could change everything for the nerd. An old man hoarding a beat up red Plymouth Fury propositions selling the car to Arnie. With joy in his eyes Arnie agrees to the sale and begins his work on revitalizing the classic car. Unknown to him, the "Fury" is a fitting name as Christine is a car with a taste for blood. She is a possesive creature that will stop at nothing to keep her owner at her beck and call. As Christine becomes more accustomed to her new remodel, Arnie begins to transform as well. His confidence peaks and he even scores a new girlfriend. As people that once bullied Arnie begin to disappear and those around him see his change, the truth of Christine becomes all too clear.

It's surprising how well the premise of a killer car works in the film. This is definitely in large part due to Carpenter's aesthetic and his ability to transcend camp issues. Christine as a character is well defined due to her attacks revolving around situations that are set up slowly throughout the film. Once the car is back in working order and Arnie has been established as a character in need of salvation, it becomes clear that their connection will be directly tied to the outcome of the plot. In this sense Arnie acts as a personified totem for Christine; when he is angry, she is angry and when he attacks, she attacks. A great choice was also to have Christine use powers that aren't limited to the physical so the attacks aren't continual hit and runs. The drive-in scene reveals Christine's ability to harm anyone just sitting in the car. Carpenter shoots this brilliantly with a blindingly eerie white light overpowering the inside of the car. It's a palpable image that reflects the "choking" that the characters have to endure.

The downside to the experience is the continual focus around Christine's ending. It is established that the car is nearly indestructible, much like a typical slasher killer, that will keep coming after the characters until revenge is hers. Unfortunately this prolongs a story that should be much shorter due to the nature of the plot. With an over the top premise of a killer car subtlety is key in delivering an actual horrifying experience. By the end of the film and the second "final" attack, the story starts to feel long in the tooth and in need of a serious trim down. It does not ruin the experience, but it does take away the chance that the film will be a notable horror classic.

That's the interesting thing about Christine : it is great enough to be shared, but not enough to be remembered.

Staff Writer

Evan is a Film & Media Studies major in Boston and the host of PodSlash podcast. He loves writing novels and screenplays, and also all things Real Housewives. Don't hate.

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Christine Review

01 Jan 1983

110 minutes

Adapted from the Stephen King ‘killer car’ novel, this John Carpenter film is more like an assembly line vehicle than a customised job, but is nevertheless a slick, entertaining piece of work.

Keith Gordon, whose transformation from tongue‑tied, bespectacled zit factory to smooth girl‑getter is weirdly reminiscent of Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, brings a much‑needed touch of humanity to the formulaic horror-in-high-school plotline (which King reprised from Carrie), in which a succession of slobbish, nasty, dislikable characters who pick on poor Arnie or dare to inconvenience his car are gorily done away with by the supercool, super-malicious Christine.

Robert Prosky, Alexandra Paul (with a fluffy ‘80s do), John Stockwell and Harry Dean Stanton (as the inevitable puzzled cop) head a good supporting cast, but the car, of course, steals the picture, rolling off the production line to the tune of Bad To The Bone and periodically recovering from write-off accidents via impressive special effects. Made back when every single King best-seller was turned into a violent, profane mid-budget movie directed by a horror hotshot rather than a blanded-out TV miniseries, this is one of those films which seemed ordinary in the cinema, but plays much better on TV, DVD or video.

It is at least a well-made, well-played, satisfyingly gruesome thoroughly ordinary picture – and is certainly far better than latterday Carpenter films like Vampires or Ghosts of Mars. You also get a compilation album's worth of great blasts from the past to go along with the death and destruction, including witty gags like the car thief blasted away with You Keep A-Knocking But You Can’t Come In.

Movies | 08 11 2021

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1958 Plymouth Fury car in the film of Stephen King's Christine

Rereading Stephen King: week 15 – Christine

The easiest period of Stephen King's writing to talk about is his early years. Back then, he was carving his own niche. He wasn't universally loved, but he was universally sold, and that was probably enough for him. He had his vices at this point , of course. They were well-hidden – and I'll talk more about that come Tommyknockers time – but they were there. Still, the books came, mainly because he had them squirrelled away. Different Seasons was published between Cujo and Christine , but it was written much earlier, back when King was perhaps more in control of what he was actually doing. Christine was the truth poking out from the lie of Rita Hayworth and The Body.

Christine is the story of Arnold "Arnie" Cunningham (a name taken from two Happy Days characters), a shortsighted bookish type (a "loser") who has only one friend and not much of a life. He's an aching stereotype, but that's not always a bad thing – as King had shown before – particularly when the stereotype breaks their mould and becomes the hero. So, we accept that he is somewhat nerdy; we accept that his one friend, Dennis, is one of the most hollow characters King has ever written, seemingly existing only to tell Arnie to be careful (and given that he's the narrator of the book, that's some going); and we accept that Arnie would see a battered, ruined 1958 Plymouth Fury on his way home from school and just buy it. No ifs or buts: he's taken in, wanting to be cool, and he falls in love.

It's sold to Arnie by a crotchety back-brace-wearing old man called Roland LeBay, who loves that car, but it's time to sell it on. Dennis doesn't like LeBay. Dennis doesn't like the car. Dennis doesn't like the idea of just buying a car outright ("To my ever increasing horror, Arnie pulled his wallet out … "). Arnie buys the car anyway, takes it to a garage and learns how to turn it into the car of his dreams: fixing the engine, the paintwork. Arnie then begins a transformation: taking on some of LeBay's traits, his curmudgeonly ways, his gruff demeanour. He is suddenly (and inexplicably) attractive to a new girl in town, Leigh (another of King's early easy stereotypes: like Susan in Salem's Lot , she is a Very Nice Girl). Leigh and Arnold begin dating. Arnie is a moron, and becomes more and more like LeBay, even to the point where he starts wearing a back brace. Dennis develops a thing for Leigh – adding a smidgen of personality to the narrative – and then, over the next god-knows-how-many pages, things come to a head, and we discover, shock of shocks, that somehow the car is possessed by LeBay or something, and that maybe it's now trying to possess Arnie, and oh my god ARNOLD rearranged is ROLAND and on and on. The car drives itself into a trap set by Leigh and Dennis, and is crushed. Arnie dies in a (potentially) unrelated car crash. Dennis, the narrator with nothing to him, becomes one of King's stereotypes himself: the writer looking back on events, wondering what might have been.

For such a straightforward narrative, it's a bit of a structural mess. While most of the book is in first-person, with Dennis as our trusty reliable narrator, there's a section where he ends up in hospital after a football accident and the narrative switches, inexplicably, to third-person omniscient. It's jarring and clumsy – or it would be if it wasn't close enough to the tepid style of narrative presented in Dennis's voice the rest of the way through. (Incidentally, King has said that he "wrote [himself] into a box" when working on Christine, putting Dennis in hospital, and that the narrative shift was the only way out of that, which sounds suspicious to me: I can think of a number of ways to solve that particular narrative pickle.) When we get Dennis back, nothing much has changed. It doesn't even feel as if he hasn't been with us, not really. Come the end of the novel, it's still not clear who the third-person narrator is, or how Dennis knows what it reported. Both narrations are hollow, an accusation I'd level at much of the rest of the book. None of the characters feels like they're worth much, being either underwritten (in the case of Dennis and Leigh) or overwritten (in the way that Arnie – and, by default, LeBay – seems to just become more and more ridiculous as the novel goes on).

I've mentioned before the detractors who say King's oeuvre consists of a simple formula: x (where x = any seemingly innocuous thing: dog, hotel, clown etc), + y (where y = possession, demons, the undead) = novel. It's an accusation that only exists because some of King's more commercially famous novels play off these now-standard horror novel devices. For the most part, it's completely ridiculous, and more than a little unfair. Except for, I'd argue, here. Christine is a novel that, King once said, began life as a short story. It could have been, like The Mangler or Trucks, a nice little short that did this entire plot in 40 pages. But it's not. It was sold as a big deal, King's next big horror novel, and, I suspect, it was the first time that a lot of his fans felt cheated. I reckon King probably does too: it's nowhere near his best. Given the existence of another novel in King's catalogue that deals with a supernatural car, 2002's From a Buick 8 , maybe King wanted to try this again, just to prove it could be done?

Connections

Christine – or, a red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury, at least – turns up in a few other King novels. In It it's driven around by Henry Bowers' psychotic father, in 11.22.63 a car of the same description makes a number of appearances (including being driven by the psychotic Johnny Dunhill – see the theme?) and in The Stand , Stu Redman and Tom Cullen find said model of car abandoned, with a key bearing the initials AC inside.

King writing the most pure horror novel he's ever written: it's Pet Sematary (sic).

Stephen King
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FILM: 'CHRISTINE,' A CAR

By Janet Maslin

Dec. 9, 1983

''CHRISTINE,'' written by Stephen King and directed by John Carpenter, is about a haunted car that isn't quite haunted enough. Though the car, a 1958 red Plymouth with a wicked grin, is capable of trampling, burning, asphyxiating and squashing its enemies, and though it performs these feats to the sound of vintage rock-and-roll songs, ''Christine'' isn't terribly eerie. Only in a scene in which the car fixes itself, actually smoothing out its dented fenders and crushed doors

for free , does the film take on a transcendently supernatural feeling.

''Christine,'' which opens at the Loews State and other theaters today, doesn't have very much to say about the American teen-ager's love for his automobile, since the case of this particular Plymouth is hardly representative. Not every car, after all, has an owner who loves it so devotedly that he's willing to kill anyone who swats the upholstery. And not every car owner is on a first-name basis with his vehicle, as in, ''Now I'll just be a minute; I've got to get my wallet out of Christine.''

No, the case of Christine and Arnie (Keith Gordon) is something special. Arnie is a creep, wearing thick glasses and carrying his lunch to school in a brown paper bag, until the moment when he spies the decrepit Christine. We know she's no good - in a 1957 prelude, Christine has already bitten one man and choked another while still on the assembly line in Detroit - but for Arnie this is love. He buys the car, ditches his glasses, wins the heart of the prettiest girl at school and begins to model his sharp clothes and swaggering manner on the 1950's rock songs that Christine adores. Arnie's new R-rated vocabulary helps make it clear that this is not a television movie, though in other respects it might as well be.

The early parts of the film are engaging and well acted, creating a believable high school atmosphere. Unfortunately, the later part of the film is slow in developing, and it unfolds in predictable ways. The special effects are good, the performances are nicely deadpan, and the score (old rock songs selected by Michael Ochs) is clever. But Christine herself is something of a bust. For those who'd like to find out the fine details about this car, such as why her odometer runs backward, reading Mr. King is essential.

Like the recent ''Dead Zone,'' which was somewhat more ambitious, ''Christine'' is only a moderately engrossing film. The teen-age performances are suitably gung-ho, and the veteran actors Harry Dean Stanton, Roberts Blossom and Robert Prosky have small, well-drawn roles. But Mr. King's device of turning mundane objects into terrible threats - demonic car, demonic dog (''Cujo'') - may simply work better on the page than on the screen. Even a car that playfully locks out one person while trying to kill another, as its radio plays ''Keep a-Knockin' But You Can't Come In,'' still seems more like something to drive than something at the heart of a bad dream.

Car Crazy CHRISTINE, directed by John Carpenter; screenplay by Bill Phillips, based on the novel by Stephen King; director of photography, Donald M. Morgan; edited by Marion Rothman; music by Mr. Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth; produced by Richard Kobritz; released by Columbia Pictures. At Loews State, Broadway and 45th Street; Orpheum, 86th Street at Third Avenue; Bay Cinema, Second Avenue and 31st Street, and other theaters. Running time: 116 minutes. This film is rated R. ArnieKeith Gordon DennisJohn Stockwell LeighAlexandra Paul DarnellRobert Prosky JunkinsHarry Dean Stanton Regina CunninghamChristine Belford LeBayRoberts Blossom BuddyWilliam Ostrander Mr. CaseyDavid Spielberg MoochieMalcolm Danare

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Stephen King ‘Christine’ Review

Posted on February 9, 2014 in Authors A-L // 6 Comments

Written by: Vitina Molgaard

‘If being a kid is about learning to live, then being a grown-up is about learning how to die.’

—Stephen King

What an interesting love story Mr. Stephen King created when he penned this 1983 offering. And it is most definitely that, with one very different aspect to the affair, the introduction to a 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine. This is not your ‘average’ love story, but then who would expect that from Mr. King?

The tale involves two teenage males who have been best friends since very early childhood: Dennis Guilder and Arnold Cunningham. Dennis the successful, well liked student has been protecting, while also being a genuine friend to ‘Arnie’, the nerdy buddy, if you will. There is also a young woman introduced into their lives during senior year, and while there is a slight bit of envy between the two boys over her, she is actually not the catalyst that subsequently destroys Arnie and Dennis’ friendship. That would have been much simpler than the actual problem that works into this story.

The main trouble is the car, Christine – who turns out to be one possessive and possessed wicked moving vehicle. She has an agenda all her own and there is nothing pleasant about an automobile with her own obsession and penchant for murder. And rest assured, murder and revenge are definitely on her mind.

This is a story I had put aside for a good number of years, always with the intention of reading it the first moment available. Well, that lengthy delay proved I’d been missing something quite unique. This was made into a movie and I had seen it and enjoyed it, but the film – as amazing as it is – just didn’t do the story true justice. While the movie did a good job of telling the tale, the book ultimately has so much more to offer. The depth of the characters and deep insight into their motivations ultimately leave the novel exponentially more fulfilling, and richer.

I recommend this read with resounding enthusiasm. If you have never read Christine, do so now. And if you have read it before but find yourself in the mood for some vintage King, this is the book for you!

Order it here .

Rating : 5/5

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5 comments on stephen king ‘christine’ review.

Great review, Vitina. The book is certainly more indepth than the movie. Even John Carpenter admitted that to turn a 20-hour reading experience into a two-hour viewing experience was daunting to say the least. The novel is excellent in every sense of the word. Rich Chizmar (owner of Cemetery Dance magazine and publishers) said in the afterword to the recent limited edition that for him the story was about not being able to go back, especially for Dennis once Arnie is killed. You reach a certain age in life and understand that you can never go home (as Thomas Wolfe wrote), and so have you have to keep moving forward at all costs. I watched the film again last night after having watched it a few weeks ago, and it truly stands the test of time. Christine is a beautiful and deadly woman who prefers to keep her men to herself even if she has to murder those who would come between her and her owner. Well, I never had that problem with my Volkswagen!

Sounds good. I read Joyland and thought it wasn’t great and then started another of King’s books and didn’t like it. Might give this a bash.

Vintage King deserves a read…I hope you do give this a go lionaround …and Thank you Wayne for your response. I could kick myself in the butt for how long I put reading this one off. So much more to the novel and I agree the film still stands the test of time…just me..Vitina

The novel Christine is about a socially awkward teenager who purchases an inherently evil car haunted by the spirit of its’ former owner and ends up possessed by that spirit as the car takes over his life, leading to a series of murders. The film Christine is about an evil car that is alive and forms an unholy bond with the socially awkward teenager who purchases her, eventually taking over his life, infecting his soul and leading to a series of murders. I enjoyed the novel a lot, but I actually thought the streamlined approach of the movie worked much better for this story and, consequently, I enjoyed the movie more. This is one of the rare occasions where I can honestly say that about a King novel. Great review, Vitina!.

I’ve been debating reading some books that I had previously read when I was younger and experiencing them now, through more adult eyes. There is so much to read, but if I do go back, this would be on my list for a revisit.

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A tárgyak élnek! Vagy csak Christine? – ajánló Stephen King könyvéről | Lendület magazin

A LITTLE LIFE

by Hanya Yanagihara ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2015

The phrase “tour de force” could have been invented for this audacious novel.

Four men who meet as college roommates move to New York and spend the next three decades gaining renown in their professions—as an architect, painter, actor and lawyer—and struggling with demons in their intertwined personal lives.

Yanagihara ( The People in the Trees , 2013) takes the still-bold leap of writing about characters who don’t share her background; in addition to being male, JB is African-American, Malcolm has a black father and white mother, Willem is white, and “Jude’s race was undetermined”—deserted at birth, he was raised in a monastery and had an unspeakably traumatic childhood that’s revealed slowly over the course of the book. Two of them are gay, one straight and one bisexual. There isn’t a single significant female character, and for a long novel, there isn’t much plot. There aren’t even many markers of what’s happening in the outside world; Jude moves to a loft in SoHo as a young man, but we don’t see the neighborhood change from gritty artists’ enclave to glitzy tourist destination. What we get instead is an intensely interior look at the friends’ psyches and relationships, and it’s utterly enthralling. The four men think about work and creativity and success and failure; they cook for each other, compete with each other and jostle for each other’s affection. JB bases his entire artistic career on painting portraits of his friends, while Malcolm takes care of them by designing their apartments and houses. When Jude, as an adult, is adopted by his favorite Harvard law professor, his friends join him for Thanksgiving in Cambridge every year. And when Willem becomes a movie star, they all bask in his glow. Eventually, the tone darkens and the story narrows to focus on Jude as the pain of his past cuts deep into his carefully constructed life.

Pub Date: March 10, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-385-53925-8

Page Count: 720

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015

More by Hanya Yanagihara

by Hanya Yanagihara

PERSPECTIVES

by Elin Hilderbrand ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2015

Once again, Hilderbrand displays her gift for making us care most about her least likable characters.

Hilderbrand’s latest cautionary tale exposes the toxic—and hilarious—impact of gossip on even the most sophisticated of islands.

Eddie and Grace Pancik are known for their beautiful Nantucket home and grounds, financed with the profits from Eddie’s thriving real estate company (thriving before the crash of 2008, that is). Grace raises pedigreed hens and, with the help of hunky landscape architect Benton Coe, has achieved a lush paradise of fowl-friendly foliage. The Panciks’ teenage girls, Allegra and Hope, suffer invidious comparisons of their looks and sex appeal, although they're identical twins. The Panciks’ friends the Llewellyns (Madeline, a blocked novelist, and her airline-pilot husband, Trevor) invested $50,000, the lion’s share of Madeline’s last advance, in Eddie’s latest development. But Madeline, hard-pressed to come up with catalog copy, much less a new novel, is living in increasingly straightened circumstances, at least by Nantucket standards: she can only afford $2,000 per month on the apartment she rents in desperate hope that “a room of her own” will prime the creative pump. Construction on Eddie’s spec houses has stalled, thanks to the aforementioned crash. Grace, who has been nursing a crush on Benton for some time, gives in and a torrid affair ensues, which she ill-advisedly confides to Madeline after too many glasses of Screaming Eagle. With her agent and publisher dropping dire hints about clawing back her advance and Eddie “temporarily” unable to return the 50K, what’s a writer to do but to appropriate Grace’s adultery as fictional fodder? When Eddie is seen entering her apartment (to ask why she rented from a rival realtor), rumors spread about him and Madeline, and after the rival realtor sneaks a look at Madeline’s rough draft (which New York is hotly anticipating as “the Playboy Channel meets HGTV”), the island threatens to implode with prurient snark. No one is spared, not even Hilderbrand herself, “that other Nantucket novelist,” nor this magazine, “the notoriously cranky Kirkus.”

Pub Date: June 16, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-316-33452-5

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: May 20, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015

More by Elin Hilderbrand

by Elin Hilderbrand

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10 Best Performances in Stephen King Movies, Ranked

The literature of Stephen King defies genre. King may be best known for his work in horror, but he has written many novels and short stories revolving around more grounded stories. His work has inspired many classic films, as well as some notable misfires. Not every King adaptation is accurate to the source material , but that doesn’t make his writing any less important. Although some King adaptations are better than others, it’s inspiring to see that his work continues to have such staying power with audiences. Here are the ten best performances in Stephen King adaptations, ranked.

Carla Gugino in 'Gerald's Game' (2017)

Character: jessie burlingame.

There aren’t many horror directors in recent years that have transformed the genre quite like Mike Flanagan . In addition to directing the underrated adaptation of King’s sequel to The Shining , Doctor Sleep , Flanagan also helmed an underrated Netflix version of King’s novella Gerald’s Game .

As Jessie Burlingame, Carla Gugino gives an Academy Award-worthy performance as a woman whose romantic getaway goes awry when her husband (Bruce Greenwood) dies of a heart attack during an intimate moment, leaving Jessie handcuffed to a bed and turning a weekend trip into a grueling fight for survival. It's a physically demanding performance that makes the film even more harrowing. Gugino shows an incredible amount of vulnerability and personal strength, and it wouldn't be the last time she worked with Flanagan on a horror project.

Gerald's Game

Release Date September 29, 2017

Director Mike Flanagan

Cast Carel Struycken, Chiara Aurelia, Bruce Greenwood, Carla Gugino

Rating TV-MA

Runtime 103 minutes

Main Genre Drama

Genres Drama, Thriller, Horror

Christopher Walken in 'The Dead Zone' (1983)

Character: johnny smith.

Christopher Walken may be best known for his zany comedic work and Saturday Night Live appearances, but he was nonetheless convincing in David Cronenberg ’s 1983 adaptation of King’s novel The Dead Zone . Like many Cronenberg films, The Dead Zone uses its paranormal elements to heighten the paranoia and dread related to a political conspiracy.

The film focuses on a kind-hearted math teacher named Johnny Smith (Walken), who is granted incredible powers after a mysterious accident. Johnny is forced to turn into a small town hero after learning about the evil plans of a corrupt United States Senate candidate ( Martin Sheen ), and Walken captures the incredible weight of having to hold so much responsibility on his shoulders.

The Dead Zone

Release Date October 21, 1983

Director David Cronenberg

Cast Colleen Dewhurst, Anthony Zerbe, Herbert Lom, Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt

Runtime 103

Main Genre Horror

Genres Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror

Writers Jeffrey Boam, Stephen King

Ian McKellen in 'Apt Pupil' (1998)

Character: kurt dussander.

Bryan Singer ’s 1998 adaptation of the Stephen King story Apt Pupil explores a cat and mouse game between two utterly unlikeable characters. Ian McKellen stars as Kurt Dussader, a former Nazi war criminal that escaped justice , only to be discovered by a stuck up high school student ( Brad Renfro ) who is seeking a school mentor.

The Best Stephen King TV Adaptation Was Also the First One

McKellen brings a sense of menace to a character who is able to keep his secrets buried deep within the past in order to avoid detection, but he doesn’t shy away from showing just how heartless fascist principles are. It becomes particularly sickening to see how the character uses his intelligence and influence to avoid justice , and rejoins society without ever having to reckon with the consequences of his past.

Apt Pupil (1998)

Release Date October 23, 1998

Director Bryan Singer

Cast Mickey Cottrell, James Karen, Ian McKellen, Joshua Jackson, Brad Renfro, Bruce Davison, Ann Dowd

Runtime 111 Minutes

Main Genre Thriller

Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime

Writers Brandon Boyce, Stephen King

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Keith Gordon in 'Christine' (1983)

Character: arnie cunningham.

The 1983 horror film Christine isn’t just one of the best King adaptations, but one of the best films of John Carpenter ’s career. The film explores the experiences of a high school student named Arnie Cunningham ( Keith Gordon ), who leverages the power of his mysterious car, Christine , to help survive the struggles of teenage bullying.

Even though the film introduces some ludicrous plot elements, it pays very close attention to the realism of adolescent relationships. As Arnie, Gordon brings a realism (and a surprising sense of humor) to the film , despite its obvious fantasy inspirations. Gordon does a great job at bringing out Arnie's humanity, even when he begins to become corrupted by Christine's malicious influence.

Release Date May 11, 1983

Director John Carpenter

Cast Christine Belford, Robert Prosky, Alexandra Paul, Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Harry Dean Stanton

Runtime 110

Genres Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Writers Bill Phillips, Stephen King

Wil Wheaton in 'Stand by Me' (1986)

Character: gordon "gordie" lachance.

Stand by Me is one of the best films ever made about the loss of innocence after childhood. In one of his first major roles, Wil Wheaton gave a remarkable performance as the young Gordie Lachance, who is grieving the death of his older brother ( John Cusack ). The painful loss resonates throughout the film thanks to Wheaton's strong work; in each scene with Gordie, the audience is reminded that the young boy is still grieving.

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Why 'Stand By Me' Is Still the Best Stephen King Adaptation

Gordie’s adventure with his friends Vern Tessio ( Jerry O'Connell ), Chris Chambers ( River Phoenix ) and Teddy Duchamp ( Corey Feldman ) allows him to revel in the pleasures of youth before parting ways with his former buddies forever. It’s impressive that Wheaton was able to bring so much depth and intimacy to the role at such a young age.

Stand By Me

Release Date August 8, 1986

Director Rob Reiner

Cast Casey Siemaszko, Wil Wheaton, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman

Main Genre Adventure

Genres Coming-of-Age, Drama, Adventure

Writers Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon, Stephen King

Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

Character: john coffey.

The late great Michael Clarke Duncan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Frank Darabount ’s gripping 1999 prison film The Green Mile . The film revolves around a hardworking prison guard ( Tom Hanks ) who discovers that a prisoner on death row (Duncan) has the power to heal illnesses , and may even be able to save lives. Duncan brings an unparalleled level of earnestness to a character who fears his own powers, and it’s nearly impossible to watch The Green Mile and not immediately burst into tears .

The Green Mile

Release Date December 10, 1999

Director Frank Darabont

Cast Doug Hutchison, David Morse, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Graham Greene, Michael Jeter, Tom Hanks, Bonnie Hunt

Runtime 189 Minutes

Genres Drama, Crime, Fantasy

Writers Frank Darabont, Stephen King

Sissy Spacek in ‘Carrie’ (1976)

Character: carrie white.

Carrie was a very important film within the career of Brian De Palma , who became well known for his work within the horror genre. Sissy Spacek gave the performance of her career as the superpowered high school student Carrie White, who grows to fear her own body after being raised in isolation by her domineering, fanatical mother, Margaret ( Piper Laurie ) .

Although Carrie is best known for its absurdly violent ending following the infamous blood-dump at the prom , it’s also a great coming-of-age story. Spacek is particularly great during the scenes in which Carrie is mocked and bullied by her cruel classmates, and it’s surprising that such a fantastical film feels so relatable.

Director Brian De Palma

Cast Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek

Runtime 100

Writers Stephen King

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Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining' (1980)

Character: jack torrance.

The Shining may have deviated greatly from Stephen King's novel, but that doesn’t make Stanley Kubrick ’s 1980 film any less of a classic. The beloved adaptation of King’s horror story explores the breakdown of the author Jack Torrance ( Jack Nicholson ) over the course of a nightmarish stay at a hotel with a disturbing past .

Jack Nicholson's performance captures just how frustrating writer’s block can be, albeit in a very terrifying way! Nicholson is best when he gets to chew the scenery, and Jack’s rage becomes more terrifying than any movie slasher could ever be.

The Shining

Release Date May 23, 1980

Director Stanley Kubrick

Cast Philip Stone, Barry Nelson, Scatman Crothers, Danny Lloyd, Shelley Duvall, Jack Nicholson

Runtime 146 minutes

Genres Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Psychological

Writers Diane Johnson, Stanley Kubrick, Stephen King

Kathy Bates in 'Misery' (1990)

Character: annie wilkes.

King was able to analyze his own relationship with critics in his novel Misery , and director Rob Reiner did the same thing with his 1990 film adaptation . Misery follows a popular mystery writer (James Caan) who, after a car accident, is kidnapped by his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) , who holds him hostage and forces him to answer questions about his work that he never thought to ask himself. The Academy Awards often ignore or snub performances in horror films, but nonetheless, Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress thanks to her terrifying work as Annie.

Misery presents a dire warning about fan culture that continues to resonate today, and Kathy Bates' wild eyes and sickeningly sweet voice only add to the terror of an entitled fan striking out against the creator that they once admired.

Release Date November 30, 1990

Cast Graham Jarvis, Richard Farnsworth, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall, Frances Sternhagen, James Caan

Runtime 107

Genres Drama, Thriller, Documentary

Writers William Goldman, Stephen King

Morgan Freeman in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Character: ellis boyd "red" redding.

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most inspirational films ever made, and serves as the definitive example of what a great movie friendship looks like. The bond that Andy ( Tim Robbins ) and Red ( Morgan Freeman ) form over the course of their imprisonment together allows both men to find hope and forgiveness in the most surprising of places.

Both Robbins and Freeman are essential to the film’s success, but Freeman’s work stands as slightly stronger because he serves as the film’s narrator. Freeman's powerful voice makes the ending of The Shawshank Redemption even more emotional. The film continues to be one of the all-time greatest depictions of onscreen friendships due to the powerful lead performances.

The Shawshank Redemption

Release Date September 23, 1994

Cast Clancy Brown, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Gil Bellows, Tim Robbins

Runtime 142

Main Genre Crime

Genres Drama, Crime

10 Best Performances in Stephen King Movies, Ranked

I'm Totally Taking Stephen King's New Horror Movie Recommendation, But Anybody Who Fears Giant Spiders May Want To Look Away

Some great suggestions from the great Master of Horror.

Stephen King looking up in cameo in IT: Chapter Two The King Beat

In this day and age, it’s easy to fall victim to choice paralysis when it comes to entertainment. Between movie theaters, physical media, streaming services, and digital rentals, we all perpetually have thousands upon thousands of movies and TV shows we could be watching at the tip of our fingers, and that volume can render the selection process difficult. Fortunately, Stephen King is regularly happy to provide specific recommendations that help fans discover new and terrific works, and he delivered two suggestions this past week that will provide your evenings/weekend with some terrific cinematic tension and scares.

This week’s edition of The King Beat not only centers on two new titles that Stephen King has recommended for consumption – the new horror movie Infested and the Netflix limited series Baby Reindeer – but also highlights the anniversary of one of the more underrated King adaptations: “The Raft” segment in Creepshow 2 . Without further ado, let’s dig in!

Spider crawling on a dead body in Infested

Stephen King Is A Big Fan Of The Spider-Centric French Horror Film Infested, Which Is Now Streaming On Shudder

Here’s a fact about myself: I am extremely terrified of spiders. I can’t fully explain the root of my fear, but there is nothing in this world that freaks me out more than the idea of having eight fuzzy legs quickly crawling across my skin (and yes, I am squirming and shuddering as I write this). Because of this phobia, I’m naturally very sensitive when it comes to arachno-centric horror – but I am also someone who loves being scared by movies, so I am also always intrigued by them. Hence, I find myself quite curious about Stephen King’s latest film recommendation.

If you have already watched Late Night With The Devil based on Stephen King's recommendation, the next new horror film that you should add to your watchlist is writer/director Sébastien Vaniček’s Infested . The movie did a festival run last fall, with a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and it was released in Europe at the end of last year, but it’s now available to stream with a Shudder subscription following a limited theatrical release last month, and one of the all-time great masters of the genre is suggesting that you check it out. He posted about the release on Twitter this week, writing,

INFESTED (Shudder): Spiders, some as big as puppies, overrun a French apartment building. Scary, gross, well made. (French, with English subtitles)

In the film, Théo Christine plays Kaleb, a lonely young man living in a rundown apartment building who has a particular fascination for exotic animals and insects. When he finds a strange and freaky spider, he is excited to add it to his collection, but it manages to escape the shoebox in which he is temporarily storing it, and the thing ends up unleashing terror and death via extremely fast reproduction and terribly deadly venom. Finnegan Oldfield, Jérôme Niel, Sofia Lesaffre, and Lisa Nyarko also star in the film, which is co-written by Sébastien Vanicek and Florent Bernard.

If you can handle it, you can watch the trailer for Infested via Shudder below:

Personally, I only made it to about a minute and 10 seconds into that trailer before I had to hit the pause button and click away (that shot of the spiders coming out of the drain seriously got me), but I also now know how I’ll be spending one of my evenings this coming weekend. I’m going to surely experience nightmares in the aftermath as well as phantom sensations that there are creepy crawlies walking all over me… but I will also relish the fact that such terror and trauma can be generated by simply watching images flashing on a screen. That’s the magic of the horror genre for me, and I’m sure that many of you can relate.

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It’s not only Stephen King who is loving Infested , as the movie has earned nearly universal positive responses from critics . So if you’re looking for a nice way to freak yourself out with a nice scary movie in the coming days, get yourself a Shudder subscription and make good use of it.

Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning in Baby Reindeer

Following His Two Word Twitter Reaction, Stephen King Has Written An Article About Baby Reindeer

Toward the end of last week, Stephen King discovered the shocking limited series Baby Reindeer on Netflix , and when he took to Twitter to publish a reaction, he apparently could only manage two words: “Holy shit.” Given the shocking nature of the show, created by and starring Richard Gann, it’s understandable that King’s reaction would be so brief – but since then, he has elaborated on his thoughts. Specifically, he has written an article for The London Times about the show, drawing parallels between it and Misery , his most famous story about a deranged stalker.

Misery is one of the most beloved titles in the Stephen King canon (a legacy admittedly aided by the brilliant 1990 adaptation from director Rob Reiner ), but the author has expressed some extreme humility comparing it to Baby Reindeer . In the opening paragraph of his piece for the Times, he explains that a friend recommended the show to him by saying that it makes the story of Annie Wilkes “look like a kids’ cartoon,” and he doesn’t dismiss the unflattering comparison. In fact, he expresses gratitude that he had the idea for Misery so many years ago because he might otherwise be accused of plagiarism. He writes,

So, like 13.3 million other Netflix subscribers, I tried it and found myself sucked in, unable to look away. My first thought was to thank God my novel came first, or people would assume I’d stolen it from Richard Gadd, who wrote and produced the seven-episode series and also stars in it.

Inspired by Gadd’s own personal experiences, Baby Reindeer centers on Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian and writer working as a bartender who finds his life dangerously intertwined with a woman named Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning). When Martha enters his pub one day looking terrifically sad and claiming to be unable to afford a drink, Donny feels an instant sympathy for her and buys her a cup of tea. This turns out to be a grave mistake, as Martha almost instantly becomes infatuated with him, and infatuation quickly becomes a case of full-on stalking. When things start getting out of hand, Donny makes the decision to go to the police – but doing so sees him forced to confront his own disturbing past and personal trauma.

In his spoiler-rich piece for The Times, Stephen King expresses that each of the 30 minute episodes of Baby Reindeer are akin to “short, swift stabs administered by a very sharp knife,” and he particularly marvels at how efficiently the show tells the audience everything we need to know about the main characters within their introductions. In the span of just a couple minutes, Gann richly illustrates the core of these people. King writes,

They are both psychologically needy, but it’s Martha who is mentally unstable and manipulative. Yet Donny — in spite of googly, hopeful eyes that continually say don’t hurt me — has the unusual and rather heroic ability to see into himself.

Without getting too deep into spoilers, Donny Dunn’s deep introspection comes to a head in Baby Reindeer ’s powerful penultimate episode, and Stephen King describes it as one of the best things he’s ever seen in television or film. In the show, Donny is a victim who ends up convincing himself that his victimization is warranted, and King is amazed by not only the extreme empathy that the show is able to conjure for its protagonist, but for its antagonist as well.

Curious Constant Readers can check out Stephen King’s article – headlined “Stephen King on Baby Reindeer: ‘One of the best things I’ve ever seen’” – with a subscription to The Times, and Baby Reindeer is available to stream with a Netflix account .

Dead body covered in goo floating in Creepshow 2

As Creepshow 2 Turns 37, Let’s Talk About How Scary “The Raft” Is

To be perfectly blunt, Creepshow 2 is nowhere near as good as the original Creepshow . The fact that there are only three segments after the original anthology’s five is a major downgrade, and while there are some cool special effects featured in “Old Chief Wood'nhead” and “The Hitch-hiker” (not to mention a fun Stephen King cameo in the latter), they’re stories not as interesting as the various horrors in “Father’s Day,” “The Lonesome Death Of Jordy Verrill” and “The Crate.” What ultimately makes the sequel worthwhile, however, is the shocking nightmare that is the middle chapter in the film – “The Raft” – and it’s worth celebrating in light of Creepshow 2 ’s 37th anniversary this week.

Directed by Michael Gornick and scripted by George A. Romero, Creepshow 2 was first released in theaters on May 1, 1987, and its one segment based on a pre-existing Stephen King story is the principal reason horror fans should seek it out. “The Raft” is also a pretty great segment to watch at the start of summer, as it’s a terrifying tale that centers on an activity that many will enjoy in the hot weather months that are on the way (though it should be noted that the story technically takes place in the fall).

In the Creepshow 2 story, college students Deke (Paul Satterfield), Laverne (Jeremy Green), Randy (Daniel Beer), and Rachel (Page Hannah) decide to head off for an excursion to a remote lake where they know a wooden raft is anchored. While they have a nice time swimming and relaxing, the whole thing turns into an unmitigated nightmare when they are set upon by a mysterious creature that looks like a pool of black goo that floats in the water. It turns out that this goo is not only sentient but also hungry, and it’s able to melt flesh and bone with simple contact. It’s horrifying, and even though the film had a very small budget, the effects are amazing.

Creepshow 2 is presently available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription , but it’s also available for digital rental and on Blu-ray thanks to Arrow Video .

Recommendation Of The Week: “The Raft”

If you’re already watching Creepshow 2 to celebrate the film’s 37th anniversary this week, why not also go ahead and read the short story on which its best segment is based? Whether you check it out before or after you watch the adaptation, it’s a true horror treat. It was first published in November 1982 when it was included with purchase in an issue of the adult magazine Gallery, but it can most easily be found featured in the 1985 collection Skeleton Crew .

That wraps up this week’s edition of The King Beat, but be sure to head back here to CinemaBlend next Thursday to find my latest roundup of the big news out of the world of Stephen King.

Eric Eisenberg is the Assistant Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. After graduating Boston University and earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism, he took a part-time job as a staff writer for CinemaBlend, and after six months was offered the opportunity to move to Los Angeles and take on a newly created West Coast Editor position. Over a decade later, he's continuing to advance his interests and expertise. In addition to conducting filmmaker interviews and contributing to the news and feature content of the site, Eric also oversees the Movie Reviews section, writes the the weekend box office report (published Sundays), and is the site's resident Stephen King expert. He has two King-related columns.

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'I Should Have to Say No More': Stephen King Hypes Up Prime Video's Record-Breaking Film

Stephen King has shared his thoughts on Prime Video's record-breaking film.

Stephen King might be famous for writing bone-chilling horror stories, but he is also an authoritative person when it comes to movie and TV recommendations. This time, he's more than happy to praise a Prime Video hit.

On his X account, the horror king shared a post to praise Amazon MGM Studio's Road House on Wednesday, May 15. The film is a modern remake of the 1980s cult classic of the same name, which starred Patrick Swayze in the lead role. This time, the film has Jake Gyllenhaal leading the ensemble cast.

Stephen King Shares High Praise for 'Extraordinary' Netflix Sci-Fi Series

Addressing the popular film, King wrote, " ROADHOUSE . Amazon Prime. Jake Gyllenhaal. I should have to say no more ."

Road House hit the streaming service on March 23, and it quickly became a huge success. Although initially, the film debuted with a fresh rating of 68% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, that is no longer the case. The film currently has a 59% critics' score out of 197 reviews, and a 53% rating from the audience. The score is still better than the 1989 film, at least from the critics. The original Road House boasts a 44% score, with a 67% audience score.

Stephen King Praises 'Scary' and 'Gross' Horror Movie With Near-Perfect Reviews

Road house is getting a sequel.

Stephen King is in luck, because he'll soon have more Road House material. The film was a massive hit on the platform, despite its controversies. Amazon just announced a Road House sequel is in development, with Gyllenhaal reprising his character as Elwood Dalton, the former UFC fighter-turned-bouncer.

The film's director Doug Lima planned to boycott the film's premiere at the South by Southwest Festival because he thought the film deserved a theater release. Eventually, he did attend the premiere, but he didn't speak with the rest of the actors. Following his comments, lead actor Jake Gyllenhaal addressed the controversy , clarifying that Amazon had been upfront about the movie going straight to streaming.

Road House has record viewership on the platform , attracting over 50 million viewers within its first two weeks. Those were the biggest numbers the platform has ever had, and the streaming service has just revealed that the film has attracted as many as 80 million views. Given the interest in the modern adaptation, Amazon MGM Studios couldn't leave it alone and decided to bet on it and continue the story.

The studio didn't announce any other detail aside from Gyllenhaal's involvement. It's unclear whether the director or the rest of the cast will return. Gyllenhaal starred alongside Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Joaquim de Almeida, Conor McGregor, and Lukas Gage, among others.

Conor McGregor was among those celebrating the new sequel, revealing that he will not be a part of the upcoming project. " Congrats guys, wish you all the best of luck with it ," McGregor wrote in the comments and on his Instagram Stories, adding two emojis, one of a red heart and one of the prayer hands.

Road House is streaming on Prime Video.

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All 66 Stephen King Books Ranked From Worst To Best

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Stephen King praises French horror film Infested for its scary and gross elements, showcasing spiders as big as puppies.
Despite a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, Infested receives mixed audience reviews due to its treatment of spiders compared to other films.
Infested explores social issues in France's colonial history, adding depth to its character beats and performances.

Stephen King is right on the money with his review of a new horror movie that boasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. For obvious reasons, Stephen King is best known for his widely acclaimed and oft-adapted horror novels. However, apart from his books, he has also garnered immense attention for his interesting take on new movies and shows, especially the ones belonging to the horror genre.

Since he is considered the King of Horror, it is hard not to agree with most of his insights on horror movies and shows. Even when it comes to his review of a new horror movie, Stephen King's opinion holds immense value because the film delivers some genuine chills and thrills. And if Stephen King's endorsement is not enough to convince a viewer to watch it, perhaps its 96% Rotten Tomatoes score will.

Over the course of his literary career, Stephen King has crafted 66 novels and over 200 short stories, but how do his books compare to one another?

Stephen King Is Right: Infested Is A Scary, Good Horror Movie (& You Should Watch It)

Infested effectively harps on one universal fear.

Stephen King has shared his review of another horror movie, Infested , and he has nothing but praise for it. The King of Horror took to Twitter to reveal that he found the French horror film " scary, gross " and " well-made. " In his review, he also added that the film features " spiders as big as puppies " that " overrun a French apartment building. " The fact that Stephen King is commending a horror movie about arachnophobia speaks volumes about its quality because the author's work is known for creating some of the most terrifying visuals of spider-like creatures.

From Pennywise in IT to The Goddess in Revival , many supernatural beings in King's tales are twitchy and multi-legged, with each of their jointed appendages moving with bone-chilling precision. Despite exploring some of the most eerily memorable takes on the phobia of spiders, Stephen King found Infested " scary " and " gross. " His review serves as a testament to the effectiveness of Infested 's terrors and arachnophobia-inducing jump-scares. Unsurprisingly, Stephen King is not the only one lauding the French horror movie.

Why Infested Has 96% On Rotten Tomatoes (But Only 72% With Audience)

The disparity in reviews has lot to do with infested's visuals.

Even when it comes to its critical ratings, Infested has an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. Most critics have praised the film because its character beats are well-written, and even its cast members give memorable performances. One reviewer (C.H. Newell via Father Son Holy Gore ) even appreciated how, instead of being a typical creature feature, the film even includes hard-hitting themes surrounding the " social problems in France stemming from the country’s violent colonial history. "

Infested is available for streaming on Shudder with English subtitles.

Strangely, however, the film received a relatively lukewarm response from viewers. As some negative audience reviews suggest, many were unimpressed with the movie's depiction of spiders because other films like The Mist and Arachnophobia have featured even nastier arachnid encounters. Many audience reviews for Infested are also not in tandem with Stephen King 's take on the film. They say that, even though the film makes one squirm in their seat, it treats spiders as an afterthought and unfolds more like a thriller than a true horror movie.

Infested (2024)

Director Sébastien Vanicek makes his feature film debut with a story that follows Kaleb, who is about to turn 30 and has never been lonelier. He’s fighting with his sister over a matter of inheritance and has cut ties with his best friend. Fascinated by exotic animals, he finds a venomous spider in a bazaar and brings it back to his flat. It only takes a moment for it to escape and reproduce, turning the whole place into a dreadful web trap. Starring Théo Christine ( Suprêmes ), Finnegan Oldfield ( Final Cut ), Jérôme Niel ( Smoking Causes Coughing ), Sofia Lesaffre ( Les Misérables ) and Lisa Nyarko.

Stephen King Praises 'Gross' Horror Movie Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, Who Comments on His Evil Dead Movie

The master of horror gave high praise to Infested, while its director, Sébastien Vaniček, recently commented on his upcoming Evil Dead movie.

Infested , directed by Sébastien Vaniček, has received high praise by Stephen King and others for being scary, gross, and well-made.
The film follows Kaleb, who brings home a venomous spider that quickly escapes and turns his apartment into a deadly trap.
Vaniček is set to direct the next Evil Dead spin-off, citing the creative freedom he will have on the project as a major draw for him.

Before Sébastien Vaniček releases his anticipated spin-off of the Evil Dead franchise, audiences were treated to his old-fashioned spider film that delivers on everything it promises, Infested . The French flick by the director is currently streaming on Shudder, and has been earning high praise all around, including a positive endorsement from the master of horror himself, Stephen King .

Infested (2024)

King took to X (formerly Twitter) recently to echo what everyone else has been saying about the film, indicating that Infested is well worth the time (and subtitles). He called it “scary,” “gross,” and “well made. ” Check out his post below:

Infested made its way to Shudder on April 26, 2024, and has quickly become a fan favorite among horror lovers, with many praising the directorial efforts of Sébastien Vaniček in his first full-length feature film. The movie currently holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been called “one of the scariest killer spider movies we’ve seen in years ” by MovieWeb’s own Jericho Tadeo . Its official synopsis can be read below.

"On the brink of 30, Kaleb faces unparalleled loneliness, estranged from his sister and best friend over an inheritance dispute. His fascination with exotic creatures leads him to a venomous discovery — a spider that soon turns his flat into a terrifying webbed prison."

Sébastien Vaniček Will Have ‘Creative Freedom’ with His Evil Dead Movie

Following the success of 2023's Evil Dead Rise , it was announced earlier this year on the heels of Infested that Sébastien Vaniček was tapped by Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert’s Ghost House Pictures to direct the next Evil Dead spin-off film . While little is known about the new movie at this time, Vaniček says that what really intrigued him about the possibility of stepping into the Evil Dead franchise was the ability to have creative freedom. Speaking with The Hollywood News in April 2024, he relayed how he got the job in the first place:

"I received an email asking me 'what would you think about writing something for Evil Dead, what would be your Evil Dead?' And I liked the question because it gave me 100% freedom, so I'm able to write my characters, my story . It was just a proposal at the beginning, and I told them 'if I had to write an Evil Dead it would be that.' and they liked the idea, and that's why we started working with each other."

Evil Dead Spin-Off Director Cautiously Addresses Movie’s Connection to the Rest of the Horror Franchise

Vaniček would also mention the ability to have creative freedom on the project, something the French director says is rare in America. For Sam Raimi and Ghost House Pictures, though, they want him "to work in the best condition possible."

" The main thing is that I wanted to have creative freedom, because I come from France and I'm used to that , and I know that in the US it works differently, and the director doesn't have the same freedom. But with Ghost House, with Sam Raimi, it's really different. They are really protective of a director , and they really want me to work in the best condition possible, so it's really cool."

Infested is now streaming on Shudder. You can watch its trailer below.

Stephen King Praises Horror Movie That Got Terrible Reviews

Author Stephen King has delighted readers and moviegoers for decades with his legendary library of work. He’s created many of the most iconic horror stories known to this day. Additionally, Stephen King has been very vocal about projects from other artists, and that includes praising one particular horror film that got terrible reviews upon its release.

It’s worth noting that Stephen King was a supporter for many different horror films that are seen as modern classics today. These films include the likes of The Evil Dead and Hellraiser . However, he’s chosen a very different kind of film to promote this time, having previously compared it favorably to the early works of Steven Spielberg.

It’s quite interesting because, as mentioned, the film received negative reviews after it was released to theaters. The film, produced by Blumhouse , does have its fans. Nevertheless, it’s certainly another level to compare the film to Spielberg’s early horror films including Duel and Jaws .

Here’s what Stephen King shared about the horror film, Night Swim , given that it’s now streaming on Peacock:

“Don’t believe the critics,” King writes on X. “This is a terrific suspense movie.”

Don’t believe the critics. This is a terrific suspense movie. https://t.co/OfCwzdP3ui — Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 5, 2024

The tweet comes a little over a month since he last tweeted about Blumhouse’s Night Swim . For that particular tweet, he compares it to “a lost, low-budget Steven Spielberg film.” Here’s his complete response:

“I loved THE NIGHT SWIM (Amazon Prime). It’s like a lost, low-budget Steven Spielberg film from Spielberg’s early period…say, after DUEL but before JAWS. Simple story, but…the cat on the diving board! And those creepy bunny slippers!”

I loved THE NIGHT SWIM (Amazon Prime). It’s like a lost, low-budget Steven Spielberg film from Spielberg’s early period…say, after DUEL but before JAWS. Simple story, but…the cat on the diving board! And those creepy bunny slippers! — Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 11, 2024

Overall, one has to admire King for his love of the film, even if it didn’t resonate with most viewers. Perhaps it will entice subscribers to give it another chance on Peacock. Otherwise, it doesn’t look like Night Swim will succeed as much as certain other films once praised by King – but at least it earned some love following its release.

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Shocking Horror Movie ‘The Coffee Table’ Is Earning Raves From Stephen King. Its Director Wants Audiences to ‘Suffer’ and ‘Hate Me’

By William Earl

William Earl

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Shocking Horror Movie ‘The Coffee Table’ Is Earning Raves From Stephen King. Its Director Wants Audiences to ‘Suffer’ and ‘Hate Me’ 3 days ago

THE COFFEE TABLE, (aka LA MESITA DEL COMEDOR), David Pareja, 2022. © Cinephobia Releasing / Courtesy Everett Collection

The poster for the innocuously named “ The Coffee Table ” notes that it is “A Cruel Caye Casas Film.” The unique designation is certainly fitting, given the storm of controversy it’s stirring up among horror fans. The comically vague logline for the Spanish film — new parents buy a coffee table that will change their lives forever — hides a shocking incident that happens early on. Said incident is not for the faint of heart, and director and co-writer Casas is eager to not only lean into the controversy but take willing audiences on an emotional journey of horror without monsters or the supernatural. Without spoiling the central incident, Casas explained his film to Variety , including how much he wanted to push audiences, the unique title and how he reacted when Stephen King recommended his work. (Note: This interview was conducted over email for accuracy between the Spanish and Catalan-speaking Casas and the English-speaking author.) How did the idea for this film come about?

Popular on Variety

Who do you think the audience for this movie is? Are there some people who wouldn’t be able to handle it?

I have always thought that the film is aimed at audiences who want strong, extreme, unforgettable emotions. The horror audience is like that. I am a member of the horror audience and my great hope is to make them suffer, have a terrible time, hate me, but above all make them feel strong emotions. Now many productions are made with a lot of money that don’t make you feel anything, which is always the same, that you forget about them two days after seeing them. I think that “The Coffee Table” makes anyone who sees it feel an unforgettable experience, whether they like it or not. In fact, it is not for everyone, there are people who will not tolerate it, and I understand that.

What have audience reactions been like so far? Have you seen walkouts?

People’s response has been fucking incredible. I have gone to many festivals with the film, to many countries, and people always react by being shocked, they can’t believe what they see. Some leave the room, they can’t stand it, but there is also laughter about it. Black humor, the most macabre laugh, others feel guilty for laughing, but the majority have a very bad time, tension, anxiety. It is very fun to see the faces of the audience. In Mexico, they insulted me while watching the film. It was a joke, but they insulted me for torturing them — although, later, that same audience gave me the audience award at the Macabre Festival.

As a filmmaker, were you trying to show empathy for any of the characters, or just portray the events neutrally?

All the characters have something personal, they have something of mine, all of them. With these characters, I wanted to convey how any of our lives can change in a second, we can experience real hell and we don’t need monsters or zombies or anything to live in hell. Let everyone judge the characters as they want, I don’t, they came from my head and there is no one that is my favorite. What is important is that only the protagonist and the audience know what has happened, and that makes the tension unbearable, it makes the audience suffer as much as the protagonist, and that is what works like a time bomb.

How did you decide how much of the key incident in the movie you wanted to show onscreen?

I was clear that I did not want to make a gore film, and I was clear that imagination is an important weapon that the public has. Why show certain things when in your thinking it could be worse? You have to make the viewer’s mind work, sometimes less is more, and imagining what is happening is sometimes stronger than seeing it. It was very clear that some scenes were going to be shot out of frame, so that they could be seen as little as possible, the audience already knows that what happened is horrible.

There is lighthearted music playing during some dark moments. What was the inspiration behind that juxtaposition?

To be contradictory. When a great tragedy happens, sometimes it is better not to play the typical scary music and instead play a children’s song, as in this case. It is more disturbing, and with the composer of the OST, Bambikina, we were clear that we did not want to make the typical horror movie soundtrack, because this is not the typical horror movie. It’s different from everything, and the soundtrack had to be too.

Did you always have the ending in mind while writing the film?

What was the inspiration behind naming the film, simply, “The Coffee Table”?

All horror movies have powerful, dark, scary names. I wanted to make a terrifying film but with a harmless, ridiculous, everyday name… “The Coffee Table,” and in Spanish, “La Mesita Del Comedor.” Seriously, is a movie like that, that disturbing? The answer is yes. I also wanted to trick the viewer, I’m going to watch this movie with this silly name, and wham! They are left speechless. Besides, it is clear that the coffee table is the main protagonist of the film… don’t you think?

Do you want to focus on more horror movies and dark dramas in the future?

I have several projects for which I am looking for money. I have a very terrifying, unbearable, brutal but also philosophical one that would make horror audiences’ heads explode. It is titled “Dreams” and it is brutal. I have others that are incredible black comedies, so that people have a good time laughing at death, like a movie called “Bad Death.” Another cruel and macabre horror titled “Welcome,” another about a really disturbing television show titled “Luciferio.” But I also have films that are not 100% genre, like “Nothing Co” (which is one of my favorite stories) or “Mom’s Wish,” which is an original and different comedy. I like almost all genres, but I have a great time writing horror. Now the important thing is to find financing so that they exist and the public has fun… Is there anyone interested?

Stephen King tweeted that he loved the movie. What does it mean to have a horror master praise your work?

There is only one King of Terror, and that is Stephen King. What more can I say? That the King recommends your film to his audience, that he says that it is the darkest thing he has ever seen… It’s so exciting, it’s one of those things that I will explain to my grandchildren (although I don’t have children). It’s one of those things that you think will never happen and it does. The King has recommended an independent Spanish film shot in 10 days at a friend’s house and with a ridiculous budget. And not only the King has done it, but also teachers like [director] Mick Garris, who was the one who sent the film to Stephen King because he loved it. It’s an orgasm. I won’t tell you that I masturbated watching the King’s tweet talking about my movie (did I?), but I will die with a smile on my face just thinking about it.

“The Coffee Table” is now available on VOD. Watch the trailer below.

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Christine movie review & film summary (1983)
The kind of guy who was always whining, "Come on, guys -- the joke's over!" But after Arnie buys Christine, he undergoes a strange metamorphosis. He becomes cool. He starts looking better. He stops with the greasy kid stuff. He starts going out with the prettiest girl in the school. That's where he makes his mistake.
Christine review
Christine review - Stephen King's evil car still has a one-track mind. John Carpenter's enjoyably pulpy adaptation of King's 1983 horror novel, about a car that infects its owners with ...
Christine
May 12, 2023 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies An intriguing mix of Stephen King and John Carpenter that doesn't always live up to the book but holds up as a relic of 1980s teen horror.
Christine (1983 film)
Christine (titled onscreen as John Carpenter's Christine) is a 1983 American supernatural horror film co-scored and directed by John Carpenter and starring Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky and Harry Dean Stanton.The film also features supporting performances from Roberts Blossom and Kelly Preston.. Written by Bill Phillips and based on Stephen King's 1983 novel of ...
Why CHRISTINE Is Secretly The Best Stephen King Movie
Some, still, are waiting for a true reappraisal, with 1983's Christine - a stylish and fiery adaptation of the Stephen King novel which turned 40 in 2023 - arguably the most overlooked.
Christine (1983)
Christine: Directed by John Carpenter. With Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky. A nerdish boy buys a strange car with an evil mind of its own and his nature starts to change to reflect it.
Christine (1983)
Christine is directed by John Carpenter and adapted to screenplay by Bill Phillips from the novel of the same name written by Stephen King. It stars Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky and Harry Dean Stanton. Music is by Carpenter and Alan Howarth and cinematography is by Donald M. Morgan.
Mike's Review: Christine (1983)
For the deeply uninitiated, Christine, by the Stephen King book of the same name, is the 1983 auto horror classic that follows a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury. Interestingly, because King was the hot property in 1983 the book was released the same year as the film. The book was released in April and the film was released in December 1983.
Christine (Movie Review)
Christine (Movie Review) Evan Slead's rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ Director: John Carpenter | Release Date: 1983. By Evan Slead on November 09th, 2015. It seems that not only has writer Stephen King dominated the horror literature world, but he's managed to get most of his stories adapted into feature length films.
Christine Review
110 minutes. Certificate: 18. Original Title: Christine. Adapted from the Stephen King 'killer car' novel, this John Carpenter film is more like an assembly line vehicle than a customised job ...
"Pretty Impressed": Underrated Stephen King Adaptation Gets Glowing
Christine is a 1983 horror film from director John Carpenter. The film was based on the novel by Stephen King, in which an evil car is purchased and starts having a negative influence on its new teenage owner. The film stars Keith Gordon as the main character Arnie, who buys Christine. VFX artists highlight the effects work used to bring the ...
Rereading Stephen King: week 15
Rereading Stephen King: week 15 - Christine. This tale of a stereotypical nerd who buys a possessed car plays into the hands of those detractors who label Stephen King's work formulaic. I ...
Stephen King's Christine Remake: Plot, Cast, and ...
Christine: The Plot. Columbia Pictures. Christine follows a bullied, shy, and unpopular teen named Arnie Cunningham in both the novel and the film. While at a junkyard, Arnie purchases a beat-up ...
Christine's Origin in Stephen King's Book Was Completely Different
John Carpenter's 1983 movie adaptation of Stephen King's book Christine did justice to the story, but changed the titular car's origin along the way. Over the course of his long writing career, King has penned horror stories about a wide variety of unlikely things. Graveyard Shift matches blue-collar workers against a giant rat monster.
"Oh Come On, Stop": John Carpenter Thinks Christine Reappraisals Are
Published Oct 26, 2023. Legendary director John Carpenter thinks reappraisals of his 1983 Stephen King horror movie Christine have gone too far in recent years. Summary. John Carpenter dismisses the notion that his film Christine deserves its classic status, calling it "ridiculous." Carpenter admits he is not aware of the film's place in the ...
Stephen King's CHRISTINE (1983) Original Classic Horror Movie Review
NNew? Subscribe → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkgikrwDjs4J4U8zdNBV4aA?sub_confirmation=1My Classic Horror Movie Review for Stephen King's CHRISTINE (198...
FILM: 'CHRISTINE,' A CAR
Directed by John Carpenter. Horror. R. 1h 50m. By Janet Maslin. Dec. 9, 1983. The New York Times Archives. See the article in its original context from. December 9, 1983, Section C, Page 10 Buy ...
Stephen King 'Christine' Review
February 16, 2015 in Movie Editorials // [Movie Talk] Top 5 Creepy Episodes of Anthology Shows February 8, 2015 in Horror ... 5 Comments on Stephen King 'Christine' Review Wayne C. Rogers // February 9, 2014 at 8:06 pm // Reply. Great review, Vitina. The book is certainly more indepth than the movie.
Christine by Stephen King
This is King at his greasiest, his most shameless. But what this novel lacks in depth it makes up for in atmosphere. The image of Christine, that scorned lover, roaming the chilly streets of Pittsburgh late at night is amongst King's most iconic. 2016 Review Stephen King is a man of numerous literary skills, and he's my favorite author.
CHRISTINE
CHRISTINE. by Stephen King ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 29, 1983. The Exorcist meets My Mother, The Car. . . in a chiller that takes a nifty Twilight Zone notion and stretches it out to King-sized proportions—with teen-gab galore, horror-flick mayhem, epic foreshadowing, and endlessly teased-out suspense. It's 1978 in a town outside of Pittsburgh.
CHRISTINE (1983)
Stephen King has written a bevy of great horror stories throughout the decades and most of them have been made into films. But add to it the talent of anothe...
Christine by Stephen King: A Personal Review : r/horrorlit
Christine by Stephen King: A Personal Review. First off, this review is for those that have already read Christine (aka spoilers ahead). It's a personal account of my thoughts while reading, and if you plan on copying this review for school, good luck explaining most of it to your teacher. A tale of possession, two types of possession ...
10 Best Performances in Stephen King Movies, Ranked
WritersBrandon Boyce, Stephen King. WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO. Keith Gordon in 'Christine' (1983) Character: Arnie Cunningham. The 1983 horror film. Christine. isn't just one of the best King ...
I'm Totally Taking Stephen King's New Horror Movie ...
I'm Totally Taking Stephen King's New Horror Movie Recommendation, But Anybody Who Fears Giant Spiders May Want To Look Away ... Théo Christine plays Kaleb, a lonely young man living in a rundown ...
'I Should Have to Say No More': Stephen King Hypes Up Prime Video ...
Stephen King might be famous for writing bone-chilling horror stories, but he is also an authoritative person when it comes to movie and TV recommendations. This time, he's more than happy to praise a Prime Video hit. On his X account, the horror king shared a post to praise Amazon MGM Studio's Road House on Wednesday, May 15. The film is a modern remake of the 1980s cult classic of the same ...
Why Stephen King Is Right About This New Horror Movie With 96% On
Stephen King is right on the money with his review of a new horror movie that boasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. For obvious reasons, Stephen King is best known for his widely acclaimed and oft-adapted horror novels. However, apart from his books, he has also garnered immense attention for his interesting take on new movies and shows, especially the ones belonging to the horror ...
Stephen King Praises Infested, Director Comments on His Evil Dead Movie
Reviews; Join Our Team; Newsletter; Advertise with us; ... Stephen King Praises 'Gross' Horror Movie Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, Who Comments on His Evil Dead Movie ... Théo Christine ...
Stephen King Praises Horror Movie That Got Terrible Reviews
Nevertheless, it's certainly another level to compare the film to Spielberg's early horror films including Duel and Jaws. Here's what Stephen King shared about the horror film, Night Swim ...
'The Coffee Table' Movie Director Talks 'Extreme' Plot, Stephen King
May 13, 2024 1:30pm PT. Shocking Horror Movie 'The Coffee Table' Is Earning Raves From Stephen King. Its Director Wants Audiences to 'Suffer' and 'Hate Me'. By William Earl. Courtesy ...

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10 Best Performances in Stephen King Movies, Ranked

Carla Gugino in 'Gerald's Game' (2017)

Gerald's Game

Christopher Walken in 'The Dead Zone' (1983)

The Dead Zone

Ian McKellen in 'Apt Pupil' (1998)

The Best Stephen King TV Adaptation Was Also the First One

Apt Pupil (1998)

Keith Gordon in 'Christine' (1983)

Wil Wheaton in 'Stand by Me' (1986)

Why 'Stand By Me' Is Still the Best Stephen King Adaptation

Stand By Me

Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

The Green Mile

Sissy Spacek in ‘Carrie’ (1976)

Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining' (1980)

The Shining

Kathy Bates in 'Misery' (1990)

Morgan Freeman in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption