TV is the Best Place for Stephen King Adaptations

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scarcely any contemporary writers can boast as numerous adaptations of their work as Stephen King. Known as the master of horror, he has penned 65 novels, a dozen short story collections, scripts for both films and television, and continues to be an unabated creative force. His novels and tales have been translated onto screens more than 40 times, and his name value remains a consistent money-spinner in Hollywood. Adaptations of works such as “The Monkey” and “The Running Man” are expected to hit the screens this year.

Many of these adaptations have resulted in critically acclaimed movies, such as “The Shining” and “The Shawshank Redemption,” which often appear on lists ranking the best films ever made. However, while numerous excellent to outstanding films have been derived from his works, even the finest ones typically need to compromise some aspects of the original to thrive on screen. King’s novels are renowned for their expansive nature, spanning hundreds of pages, so a significant amount of his writing is inevitably trimmed to make movie lengths feasible.

Instead of being confined to brief narratives, television offers a medium that can stretch its tales beyond a few hours. This is where television series shine, as they have the luxury of time to delve deeper into Stephen King’s intricate worlds. With HBO’s upcoming adaptation of IT: Welcome to Derry and Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Dark Tower series on the horizon, let’s explore why television is the ideal platform for bringing Stephen King’s stories to life.

Stephen King’s TV History

King has a long history with television, having created his own miniseries such as “Storm of the Century” (1999) and “Rose Red” (2002), and adapting numerous books for television, including “The Stand” in 1994 and his own version of “The Shining” in 1997, which allowed him to address some of the changes made by Stanley Kubrick in the 1980 film. During the 90s, adaptations of King’s novels into TV miniseries seemed almost an annual tradition.

A significant number of these are often viewed as rather outdated and cheesy now, except for some, such as the 1990’s IT, which still carry a sentimental appeal for Millennials who found them terrifying as children due to Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of Pennywise. However, since these adaptations were broadcast on television, many of their more intense or disturbing scenes had to be toned down or removed, reducing their impact somewhat.

Today’s television landscape, with pioneering networks like HBO breaking new ground in traditional programming and streaming services offering more freedom, is less hesitant to venture into darker or violent territories compared to previous years. The complexity that has evolved in TV storytelling over the past few decades has led to some of the most remarkable creative accomplishments in television history. These advancements have made it possible for King adaptations to be more faithful to his original works, unlike the miniseries from the past.

In the past few years, a variety of TV shows based on Stephen King’s works have been broadcasted on premium channels and streaming platforms. Although not every adaptation has proven successful – we can mention 2021’s The Stand as an example – series like 11/22/63 (aired in 2016), Mr. Mercedes (from 2017 to 2019), and The Outsider (in 2020) have been lauded for staying true to King’s original works while also demonstrating creative ingenuity. Shows such as Hulu’s Castle Rock have taken a more flexible approach to King’s stories, often pleasing both dedicated fans and casual viewers alike.

Why TV Works for King

As a cinephile immersed in Stephen King’s literary universe, I can’t help but marvel at how television perfectly captures the essence of his work. The reason lies in the expansive nature of his narratives, often referred to as sprawl. King is indeed a master storyteller, yet he skillfully weaves tales that take their time unfolding, allowing readers to delve deep into the characters’ lives. This slow burn makes the terrifying events that befall them all the more impactful.

One of King’s frequent criticisms about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is its icy detachment. It’s challenging not to concur, given the stark contrast with the novel. King meticulously crafts Jack Torrance’s inner world, making his descent into homicidal insanity a heart-wrenching tragedy rather than an inevitable fate.

A TV season can better capture the unique qualities of King’s work and translate them from the pages to the screen, providing a more expansive canvas for the story to unfold and delve deeper into the characters’ psyches. This is particularly crucial for intricate, complex works such as the Dark Tower series, which boast rich world-building that was unfortunately diminished in the 2017 film adaptation that received widespread criticism.

Andy Muschietti’s movies based on “IT” (with the first one being particularly popular) may have been long, but they only scratched the surface of Derry’s history as depicted in King’s novel. This is why HBO’s upcoming “Welcome to Derry” series is intriguing, as it promises to explore the dark events that the films could only hint at. Additionally, Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower,” when adapted by Mike Flanagan, could maintain the complex, peculiar elements that make the novels such an enjoyable read.

While it’s not guaranteed that future projects based on King’s works, especially those airing on TV, will succeed simply because of their broadcast, the extended narrative format of television provides a greater chance to maintain the depth and richness in King’s storytelling that has captivated readers for over five decades. In today’s IP-centric Hollywood, there may be more opportunities for directors who have been influenced by King’s writing to bring their preferred stories to life on screen. Here’s to hoping they continue to opt for the smaller scale.

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2025-01-10 19:33