Creepy Page-Turners: 4 Stephen King Books Dying for the Big Screen
There can never be too many Stephen King movies.
Throughout his long career, Stephen King has earned a reputation as a prolific and influential author.
A record number of his works have been adapted, but there are still some worthy works that have yet to be brought to the big screen.
1. Joyland
One of King's most recent novels, published in 2013, begs to be adapted for the screen because of its cinematic language. However, reviews of Joyland range from one of the author's best novels to a casual read.
All the components of the perfect summer mystic story are neatly gathered under one cover: in the early 70s, student Devin Jones gets a summer job at the amusement park Joyland, which has its own urban legend.
Four years before the events described, young Linda Gray was killed in the Horror House – since then, her ghost howls at night in the deserted park, searching for her killer.
2. The Institute
The Institute is a secret institution where children and adolescents with a predisposition to psychic abilities and telekinesis are trained and used for the benefit of the country. The eternal motifs of the author's work and the interpretation of growing up as a transition resonate in this book.
The novel may not break new ground in how children become victims of adults, but The Institute is not only fascinating, but also cinematic in nature.
Immediately after the novel's release, a miniseries based on the novel was announced, with Jack Bender as director and David E. Kelley as screenwriter.
3. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
One of King's best novels, which has yet to be adapted for the screen. The lack of an adaptation is partly explained by the form of the narrative: a very young Trisha has fallen behind her mother and brother, who are embroiled in an argument, and is lost in the woods.
Most of the novel consists of the girl's fears, visions, and uncertain attempts to survive in the wilderness. In some ways, its structure is reminiscent of Gerald's Game, where the main part of the narrative is the main character's internal dialogue, but director Mike Flanagan managed to handle this non-cinematic form.
4. The Gingerbread Girl
Emily has left her husband: their relationship began to deteriorate after the death of their newborn daughter. Unable to cope with the loss, the failed mother seeks salvation in running. She spends her days alone, running marathons and reading mystery novels.
But King would not be King if he did not escalate the situation: Emily ends up a hostage. In some ways, the novel echoes the aforementioned Gerald's Game and fits into the current agenda: violence, physicality, and the triumph of willpower.