Stephen King Shares His Honest Thoughts on His Most Notorious Movie Adaptation

Few authors have had their work adapted as frequently or as inconsistently as Stephen King. Over the decades, he has witnessed his stories interpreted by some of cinema’s greatest talents, resulting in a spectrum of films ranging from iconic classics to those he barely recognizes.

King’s connection to these adaptations took a personal turn in 1986 when he ventured into directing with ‘Maximum Overdrive’, based on his short story ‘Trucks’. The experience was so challenging that he refrained from directing again for the next 40 years. Today, little remains from the film in popular culture aside from its soundtrack, which was entirely composed by AC/DC.

King has openly discussed the reasons behind the film’s failure. In the 2003 book ‘Hollywood’s Stephen King’, he candidly admitted, “The problem with that film is that I was coked out of my mind all through its production, and I really didn’t know what I was doing.” The reviews were harsh, and the film currently holds a lowly 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Following ‘Maximum Overdrive’, King wisely stepped back, allowing professional directors to adapt his stories. Nevertheless, even some renowned filmmakers have struggled to capture his vision accurately, and King has never hesitated to express his opinions publicly.

His most notable critique targets Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’. In an interview with American Film in 1986, King stated that Kubrick “set out to make a horror picture with no apparent understanding of the genre,” and famously described the film as “a great big beautiful Cadillac with no motor inside. You can sit in it, you can enjoy the smell of the leather upholstery—the only thing you can’t do is drive it anywhere.”

This criticism has lingered over the film for decades, even as it has become one of the most acclaimed horror movies ever made. King later softened his stance, telling the BBC that he found the film visually stunning, while still maintaining his core critique.

Not all adaptations have left King feeling frustrated. He has praised Frank Darabont’s ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and Rob Reiner’s ‘Stand by Me’, both of which remained faithful to the original material. Recently, he referred to Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ miniseries as “brilliant” on Threads, adding that “what it has to say about social media is shocking and true,” as reported by Deadline.

King has also long admired director Tobe Hooper, considering ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ one of horror’s most influential films. When Hooper directed the 1979 miniseries adaptation of ‘Salem’s Lot’, King had every reason to be optimistic. The miniseries has held up well, currently boasting an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has since achieved cult classic status, despite Quentin Tarantino famously stating he turned it off after about 25 minutes.

Hooper and King collaborated again 15 years later, but this time the outcome was disappointing. ‘The Mangler’, released in 1995, was both a box-office failure and a critical flop. King himself later remarked, “The film version of The Mangler is energetic and colourful, but it’s also a mess.”

This assessment encapsulates the pattern that has characterized King’s relationship with adaptations for 40 years. Even the most talented directors, those he trusts the most, can sometimes miss the essence of what makes his stories resonate on the page.

What makes King’s journey unique is his continued engagement with the adaptation process despite the setbacks. He eventually got a second chance with ‘The Shining’ by writing a 1997 ABC miniseries for director Mick Garris, allowing him more creative control the second time around.

Decades later, he remains involved with new projects, from praising Flanagan’s work to giving his endorsement to directors like Edgar Wright on ‘The Running Man’. This willingness to collaborate, even after difficult experiences, may explain why his catalog continues to inspire new films and shows.

Whether it’s a directing misstep he takes responsibility for or a brilliant filmmaker whose vision diverged from his own, King’s history illustrates that even the best in the industry can occasionally misinterpret a beloved story.

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