[Film Review] Stephen King on Screen (2023)

Since Brian de Palma’s stellar triumph with his adaption of Carrie in 1976, people have been keen to turn Stephen King’s stories into film and television, with varying success. Some are incredible blockbusters, which the author himself hates (sorry Kubrick, King despises The Shining) whilst others are quietly released miniseries that become cult favourites (here’s looking at you 1990’s IT). What can usually be agreed though, is that every fan of the author’s work has a film or series that they adore, an adaptation that perfectly encapsulates what they envisioned when first reading that story.

Stephen King on Screen celebrates these projects, talking with the creators themselves about the process of adapting such a well-loved author’s work into something to scare, thrill or emote its audiences. These creatives also discuss the work of other filmmakers that inspired them to take on the large task of moving King’s worlds from paper to screen, whilst paying homage to the Master of Horror and beyond, a man who has changed hearts and minds throughout many generations.

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Directed by Daphné Baiwir, the documentary begins with a fun ‘how many cameos can you spot’ introduction that will leave the audience googling names and rewatching for easter eggs. Stephen King on Screen clearly has nothing but love for the author, featuring in-depth interviews with so many writers, directors and creatives that have worked with him and looked up to him over the years. Fans of King’s work will be excited to see Mike Flanagan, Frank Darabont, Tom Holland, Mick Garris, and many others as they anecdote various interactions with King, including his response to the projects that have been adapted and recreated time and time again for a cinematic audience. Currently holding the title of living author with the most adapted works, it’s a relief to know through the words of the people who have worked with him that Stephen King is a kind and humble soul who simply loves the craft. Delving into some of his darker times, including his battles with addiction, the car accident that almost killed him, and his own self-doubt, Stephen King on Screen never once feels like a critical analysis of his life, instead focusing on the positivity that has come from his success as an author that is replicated on screen by the creatives that worship him.

An insightful, sweet, and heart-warming documentary, Stephen King on Screen will tell tales that audiences may not have heard before, whilst also confirming the fact that once a person is in the Stephen King club, they will never leave. The crossover of directors and writers that worked on King adaptations, only to return to his work time and again is extensive; it appears that everyone knows everyone else who has done a King project. Carefully edited together with archive clips of King himself and shots from behind the scenes of many of the projects mentioned, this film takes the audience on a journey through the visual history of King in a way that feels as though you were there to witness it all yourself. Connecting on a personal level with the people behind these projects gives the various films and tv shows a more intimate perspective that will make the viewer want to revisit them.

It's true that not everyone who has worked on a King film is featured (Mary Lambert’s absence is wholeheartedly felt), however those who tell their stories in this documentary prove their ultimate fandom love. A sit-down chat with people who clearly adore what they’ve made and the source material it has come from is inspiring and will hopefully encourage more film makers to step up and take on these widely loved tales of the macabre, as done recently by Rob Savage and his release The Boogeyman. It’s also worth mentioning that the documentary doesn’t just focus on the horror aspects, films like The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me are treated with equal respect and admiration, even though it seems to be quite common to forget that these tales came from the same man that brought the world the terrors of Cujo, The Shining, IT, and Christine. 

The only other aspect that would have cranked this documentary to eleven would have been a chat with the author himself, Stephen King. Hearing all these people say nothing but kind words about him will have the audience seeking out any interviews and additional snippets they can get of King speaking about his craft. It’s certainly worth a look up – the man is pretty hilarious. Overall though, Stephen King on Screen delivers exactly what you’d hope, a look at the work that so many people love in a way that draws a person in further to King’s world of heart and deep emotion.

Stephen King on Screen is available on Digital Platforms 26th June & Blu-ray 18th September.

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