Nicknamed as 'The King of Horror', Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors in modern literature. Having over 60 novels, as well as numerous short stories and novellas in his name, it is no wonder that filmmakers have taken a shine to his work. His stories have inspired iconic films, several series and TV specials that capture universal audiences.
But, the volume of these adaptations has led some to believe that directors and screen writers have become somewhat lazy in creating new, original material for viewers. Instead, they rely on established sources, like King's novels, for inspiration as they already have fan-bases. This leaves little risk for producers as their films thus have the best shot at high box office sales.
The Monkey already broke a record with its first trailer racking up platform wide viewing numbers exceeding past 100 million in its first 72 hours of being released. Wavemetrix argue that it breaks the record for a non-MPA studio independent horror movie. The adaptation has been praised for it's familiar yet fresh take on the haunted object trope along with it's impressive cinematography and cast performances.
However, it is has been slightly critiqued for its predictable ending. This then highlights the fact that in an era where remakes, reboots and adaptations dominate the entertainment sphere, many viewers are beginning to feel a sense of fatigue. How many times can we watch the same story retold with a different cast or a slightly updated take?
Ultimately, the question isn’t necessarily about whether there are “too many” Stephen King adaptations, but rather whether the quality of those adaptations is maintaining the level of excellence that King’s writing deserves. Filmmakers should not just rely on nostalgia or name recognition to sell their projects, but rather finding a careful balance between honoring the source material and re-imagining it in a way that feels new to audiences.