Summary
Why does everyStephen Kingmovie adaptation directed by Mike Flanagan garner stellar reviews but seem to underperform at the box office?Stephen Kingis known for his horror stories, many of which have found their way into film adaptations, notable examples beingThe Shining,Carrie, andIt. However, numerous interpretations of the author’s work don’t turn out as well, like the variousChildren of the Cornsequels and the adaptation ofTheDark Towerstarring Idris Elba.
One filmmaker who has seemingly come to understand King unlike any other is Mike Flanagan. Flanagan has seen success with shows likeThe Haunting of Hill HouseandMidnight Massand horror films likeOculusandOuija: Origin of Evil.He has also directed several films inspired by King’s works, which have resulted in a unique disconnect between perceived quality and success.
Mike Flanagan and Stephen King Seem Like A Match Made In Heaven
Flanagan’s first foray into the works of Stephen King first came with 2017’sGerald’s Game, which was made for Netflix. The claustrophobic psychological thriller featured a woman handcuffed to a bed with no help in sight after her husband dies unexpectedly. While it was a streaming release, skipping the box office,Gerald’s Gamegarnered stellar reviews, holding a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Flanagan returned to King’s workin 2019, delivering a follow-up toThe ShiningwithDoctor Sleep. The movie was a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic, which King notoriously disliked. However, the author enjoyed Flanagan’s work, which went into painstaking detail to restore the Overlook Hotel in the movie.Doctor Sleepimpressed critics and audiences, earning glowing reviews that touted it as one of the best adaptations of King’s works.
The director recently returned to Stephen King’s works withThe Life of Chuck. However, unlikeGerald’s GameandDoctor Sleep,The Life of Chuckis a fantasy drama, a genre in which Flanagan has proven himself with the filmBefore I Wake.The Life of Chuckearned stellar reviews, embracingthe cosmic existentialism Kingcan often deliver with the deft hand Flanagan is known for in his character work.
Flanagan Understands King, But Audiences Aren’t Showing Up
Each time Flanagan was at the helm of a Stephen King story, the movie was a hit with critics and audiences.All three films have glowing reviews, and while a mix of genres is at play, fans of both Flanagan and King have been impressed. This should naturally lead to box office success, especially with well-known material being revisited, like inThe Shining. However,when the two combine forces, it seems to net lackluster box office results.
Doctor Sleepreportedly had a $45 million budget, which is respectable given the movie’s spectacular visuals and talented cast. However, when combined with marketing costs,Doctor Sleepwas considered a box office disappointment, earning $72 million worldwide. While some audiences may have seen a follow-up toThe Shiningas sacrilege, it was stillbased on a King novel. With Flanagan also having his own loyal fanbase,Doctor Sleepshould have been a bigger hit, especially in the horror genre.
The Life of Chuckis currently in theaters, but it has also failed to turn positive reviews into box office success. Marketing for the movie was minimal, showing it didn’t have the backing it deserved. This likely contributed to its minimal returns, which currently stand at just $8.3 million at the time of writing. The lack of marketing could be due to the creators venturing into a different genre than audiences were used to, which may have seemed like a hard sell for some. However, with the glowing reviews and talent behind the movie,The Life of Chuck,much likeDoctor Sleep, deserves more at the box office.
Flanagan Has Plenty Of Success On TV, Where His King Works Can Thrive
Flanagan has seen numerous successes in the TV realm, withThe Haunting of Hill HouseandThe Haunting of Bly Manorearning praise on Netflix.Midnight MassandThe Fall of the House of Usherhave also seen the director continue to thrive with the short miniseries format. Flanagan also earned a Guinness World Record for the most jump scares in a single TV episode with the debut ofThe Midnight Club.
Flanagan is returning to the world of TV with more Stephen King adaptations.Thedirector will adaptCarrieinto a TV series for Amazon, which has already set about casting. The show will allow King’s work to be seen in a new way while allowing Flanagan to reign in the format in which he has found his biggest successes. The director is also working on adapting King’sTheDark Towerinto a TV series, along with plans for anExorcistmovie.
Stephen King’s work is in good hands with Flanagan. The two are sure to continue earning spectacular reviews, and their future collaborations will offer exciting material for fans to see.Shifting the adaptations to TV offers the best chance for success.Flanagan won’t be beholden to box office returns, allowing the shows to shine with stellar reviews.
