The year in film that has been 2025 is nothing short of spectacular. From horror to comedy, it seems like with each film that hits the theaters, we, the moviegoers, are being bombarded with seriously good films…and films to come (you can see where my heads at with the title). There has been one individual who has had a better year than others when it comes to not only the quality, but QUANTITY of films that were put out in his name: Stephen King.
A name synonymous with horror, but so many other things as well. Many forget that he wrote The Green Mile and ‘The Body’ just as he wrote It and Carrie. King is one of America’s most enduring authors. Simply put, he is an icon of American Literature. Throughout the years, there have been a number of adaptations of King’s work. Films like Stand By Me were based on short stories, while others were based on novels such as Pet Cemetery.
2025, however, has seen a number of King’s works make it to the big screen. The Monkey, The Life of Chuck and The Long Walk are all adaptations of the King’s work. Each adaptation struck a different emotion or feeling. Each stood out for its unique approach to adapting King’s work. With so many of Stephen King’s works coming to theaters and one, The Running Man, destined for theaters this Friday, it seemed fitting to do the great author the service of a retrospective of each adaptation released in 2025.
The Monkey
Director: Osgood Perkins Starring: Theo James
Source Material: Skeleton Crew, “The Monkey,” (1985)
Released in early February, The Monkey was the first of the adaptations to hit the big screen. Starring Theo James as twins, Hal and Bill. The Monkey tells the story of two brothers who inherit their father’s old toy monkey. Discovering that the toy possessed magical, but dangerous powers, the boys dispose of the figure and vow never to speak of the object again. Over the years and drifting apart, Hal and Bill are once again faced with their terrifying figure as it resurfaces and renews its reign of terror.
When I finally sat down to watch The Monkey, I was surprised at just how good it was. Was it zany and kind of weird? Yeah, but so was Evil Dead 2 and that’s one of the greatest horror films ever made. The film just shows how far Stephen King can take his characters. The bloodshed and gore was pure King and it was made for the big screen. The film obviously resonated with audiences as well, making $68 million on a $10 million budget. That’s a pretty good return on investment I’d say. While it may have been the first, The Monkey holds it’s own with the other adaptations that have hit the screen this year.
The Life of Chuck
Director: Mike Flanagan Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Matthew Lillard
Source Material: If It Bleeds, “The Life of Chuck,” 2020
For the unitiated, The Life of Chuck does not come off as your common Stephen King film. Released in June, The Life of Chuck is an exploration of life, one’s role in it, and what it means to truly live. The film follows the titular Chuck, played exquisitely by Tom Hiddleston. Through his life from child to adult accountant. Without giving too much away about the film, it follows a series of events throughout Chuck’s life as a reflection and retrospective of what made Chuck who he was.
The Life of Chuck is an absolutely astonishing film. Short of a few flaws, it’s damn near a masterpiece. I truly loved it. The cast was vast, but each put on a career performance. By the end it had me reflecting on my own life and what it meant. The Life of Chuck is a testament, as well, to the broad stroke with which Stephen King paints.
King’s ability to reach a diverse audience is what makes him so iconic. Truly, it’s why we’re still talking about him. HELL! It’s why his work is still being adapted. While the film didn’t have the box office returns, I personally think, it should have. It is definitely a film worth investing your time into and a worthy adaptation of King’s work.
The Long Walk
Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: David Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, Mark Hamill
Source Material: The Long Walk, 1979
In the year that brought us Superman, Sinners, & Predator: Badlands, The Long Walk is my pick for movie of the year.
Yes.
It’s that good
Yes.
I’m willing to die on that hill, and David Jonsson deserves every award we can physically give him.
The Long Walk is a story of survival. Young men take part in an game style event called The Long Walk, where they are expected to remain walking at a pace of at least 3 mph (4 in the book) or else receive warnings, and ultimately have their ticket punched. As the contestants make their way across their terrain, they begin to find things out about themselves, their standing in the world, and what the government is asking of them.
The Long Walk is a masterpiece. It is a 10 out of 10, flawless film. It was terrifying, yet heartbreaking. The Long Walk truly got at the heart of the human condition and what they are willing to endure to survive. The film is yet another example of Stephen King’s ability to do something different. The work was initially meant as a criticism of the Vietnam War and it shows. The story and the struggle with oneself and duty. It resignated with audiences to the tune of a $54 million return on a $20,000,000 budget. It was must see.
As the year draws to a close and one last Stephen King adaptation prepares to hit the silver screen, it’s important to remember the lessons that we’ve learned along the way:
Be careful what you wish for.
Live life fully.
And never give up.
Enduring lessons to finish out the year and to take into the future. Hopefully, the years to come will bring us many more adaptations from the Horror King. Until then, we’ll always have the bounty of 2025.
Check out some Stephen King book reviews from the Nerd Imitative Book Club: The Long Walk & Duma Key.
Also check back weekly for Matt‘s ‘It: Welcome to Derry‘ reviews, currently streaming on HBO Max.
What’s your favorite Stephen King adaptation?
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