As a die-hard fan of Stephen King‘s work and a devoted viewer of horror series, I must say that my expectations for “Teacup” were sky-high, given the master of horror’s endorsement. However, after binge-watching this Peacock original, I find myself sorely disappointed, much like a kid who unwrapped a box of chocolates expecting truffles but found only toffees instead.
As a devoted fan of horror myself, I can’t help but get excited when Stephen King expresses his enthusiasm for a new project. On October 10, 2024, the master of horror shared his love on X for Teacup, a Peacock original series that debuted on the same day. Over the course of two weeks, the eight-episode TV event released two episodes each week. While not all critics and fellow horror enthusiasts have been as captivated by it as King himself, I’ve found myself deeply engrossed in this intriguing series.
The TV series “Teacup” is inspired by Robert McCammon’s 1988 novel “Stinger”. In this show, a group of neighbors living in rural Georgia are compelled to work together and discover a way to survive as a lethal force ravages their surroundings. While Stephen King has praised the series, “Teacup” has been criticized for being just a watered-down blend of “The Walking Dead” and “The Crazies”, failing to instill fear or contribute significantly to the genre.
What Is Teacup About?
Based on Robert R. McCammon’s 1988 horror novel “Stinger,” the American horror television series titled “Teacup” was developed by Ian McCulloch and produced by James Wan. The principal characters consist of James (Scott Speedman), Maggie Chenoweth (Yvonne Strahovski), their children Arlo (Caleb Dolden) and Meryl (Emilie Bierre), as well as the family matriarch, Ellen (Kathy Baker).
As an unexplained supernatural calamity strikes their farmland, the Chenoweth family and nearby residents – Nicholas (Luciano Leroux), Ruben (Chaske Spencer), and Valeria Shanley (Diany Rodriguez) – join forces to endure, solve the enigma, and eliminate the danger promptly. Alongside the Chonweths and the Shaneys, other characters in this tale are McNab (Rob Morgan), Donald Kelly (Boris McGiver), Mary Alice Ducker (Ashley Shelton), Carmen Navarro (Adelina Anthony), and Big Al (Patrick Cox).
For nearly three decades, the novel “Teacup,” published in 1988, has often been likened to Stephen King’s 1978 horror masterpiece, “The Stand.” Interestingly, King himself has pointed out more significant parallels between “Teacup” and the popular mystery series “Lost,” as well as the less recognized sci-fi/horror series on MGM+, “From.” However, a chilling character wearing a gas mask may remind you of George A. Romero’s 1973 film, “The Crazies,” which surprisingly, King hasn’t linked to “Teacup” despite their shared history, as they collaborated on “Creepshow.
Why Stephen King Enjoys Teacup
Following a viewing, Stephen King recommended on his social account that those who enjoy “Lost” and “From” should take a look at “Teacup”, expressing that the new Peacock horror series is both eerie and frightening.
In the second episode, titled “My Little Lighthouse,” the pilot of Teacup encounters the Chenoweths and Shanleys frantically searching for Arlo, as the farm’s animals display unusual behavior, foreshadowing a grave danger. As night falls, the survivors are plunged into darkness due to an unexplained loss of power and cell service. This situation mirrors the suspenseful atmosphere in MGM’s From, where characters trapped in a nightmarish limbo must confront nighttime horrors to stay alive.
Similarly, “Lost” revolves around a band of plane crash survivors who must work together for a while to find their salvation, all the while facing an ominous danger. This makes it clear how King draws comparisons between this series and the three television shows he mentions. However, contrary to King’s claim that “Teacup” is jam-packed with action and no filler content, many critics and viewers have expressed differing opinions on this point.
Teacup’s Poor Reception, Explained
Stephen King compares “Teacup” to both “Lost” and “From”, but many critics argue that the series falls short, with its concept being more effectively told as a single movie rather than a series. Brian Tallerico, in his 2/4-star review for Roger Ebert, seems to agree with this assessment.
Beneath the disappointing filmmaking aspects that hinder Peacock’s ‘Teacup,’ a show produced by renowned horror mastermind James Wan, lies an impressive narrative. This could be due to the creative decision to adapt Robert McCammon’s epic novel, ‘Stinger,’ which has been likened to ‘The Stand,’ and transform it into a story about a small group of individuals facing their most challenging days.
According to Ross McIndoe from Slant Magazine, Tallerico’s opinion that Teacup seems to be “half empty” is just a starting point for his own more significant concerns regarding the narrative structure in his 1.5 out of 4-star review.
The initial part of this narrative setup doesn’t quite deliver, leaving us with an extended period of about eight episodes spent among characters who seem less captivating compared to the intriguing sci-fi events that transpire in their midst.
McIndoe also points out striking similarities with another chilling series, “The Walking Dead,” which chronicles a band of distrustful survivors in rural Georgia. The intriguing aspect is the character King calls “Gas Mask Man,” as many viewers fail to recognize the resemblance this figure bears to characters from “The Crazies,” a horror film by George A. Romero that has played a significant role in shaping “Teacup” much like Romero’s “The Living Dead” trilogy influenced “The Walking Dead.” The irony, indeed, is quite tantalizing.
Despite generally positive feedback from IMDb users, the TV show “Teacup” has faced harsh criticism from some viewers. While a few defend the series for finding its rhythm in the second episode, one critic challenges King’s appraisal, stating it as “All Filler, No Killer,” suggesting that there is very little happening to keep viewers engaged or even interested. Another user, in response to King’s endorsement, rates the show a 3 out of 10 and labels it as a “Dollar Store version of Lost/From/The Walking Dead.
On numerous occasions, King’s teacup comparisons have faced strong criticism online. The weak premise and absence of genuine fear are not the only issues; many viewers find the acting amateurish, which undermines the show’s credibility. For die-hard horror fans, let’s hope that Teacup improves and becomes scarier before its season 1 finale on Halloween. Teacup is streamable on Peacock.
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2024-10-17 23:31