Stephen King Praises Netflix’s Zero Day Amid Mixed Critic Reviews

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Stephen King, known for being tech-savvy and active on social media platforms, frequently expresses his views on fresh movies and TV shows. His opinions don’t always coincide with mainstream consensus. A classic instance is his admiration for Dennis Iliadis’ 2009 remake of “The Last House On The Left,” which he praised in the introduction to the 2010 reprint of his book, “Danse Macabre.” More recently, he has shown appreciation for the Netflix limited series “Zero Day,” starring Robert De Niro, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Connie Britton, and Joan Allen.

This article is part of today’s edition of The King Beat, featuring not just one, but three captivating pieces. Firstly, Stephen King shares his latest thoughts on pop culture through a critique. Secondly, we delve into a retrospective analysis of the cinematic potential of Roadwork, marking an anniversary. Lastly, we propose a double-feature movie lineup inspired by King himself, perfect for this weekend’s entertainment. So, let’s dive right in and explore these fascinating topics!

Stephen King Is Digging Zero Day – Particularly The Performance By Dan Stevens

It’s worth mentioning that “Zero Day,” a Netflix series produced by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt, boasts an impressive lineup of celebrities. However, despite the star power and the charm of the cast members, it hasn’t managed to win over all critics. While some publications like Empire, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Wall Street Journal have shown appreciation for the series, others such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, USA Today, and Slate haven’t been as favorable in their reviews. The response can be considered mixed at best, but Stephen King is one of its supporters, specifically praising Dan Stevens’ performance.

Currently, Stephen King maintains a presence on multiple social media platforms, with a notable activity on Bluesky. However, his recent thoughts on the novel “Zero Day” were shared this week on Threads. Beyond expressing admiration for Dan Stevens’ portrayal as a fiercely opinionated television newscaster, King also extended sincere compliments to Lesli Linka Glatter, who helmed all six episodes of the streaming show. In his post, King wrote:

Enjoying ZERO DAY on Netflix: It’s got an old-school charm that’s simply fantastic. There’s a character reminiscent of Tucker Carlson. You might call it an exaggerated portrayal, but in reality, Tucker has turned into something akin to a satirical conservative figure. The first three episodes are directed by Leslie Linka Glatter, undoubtedly the top director in streaming television today.

Lesli Linka Glatter’s television career stretches back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, during which time she has contributed significantly to some of the most influential TV shows of their respective eras, such as “Twin Peaks,” “NYPD Blue,” and “ER.” Lately, she has directed episodes for series like “Justified,” “The Leftovers,” “Homeland,” and “The Morning Show.

On Glatter’s resume, there are no adaptations of Stephen King’s works, a fact that may have prompted Stephen King to mention Jack Bender in his subsequent post on Threads. Bender has worked on projects like “Under The Dome,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “The Outsider,” and the upcoming MGM+ series “The Institute” as shown by his credits.

Apart from Jack Bender, whose works include LOST, MR. MERCEDES, FINDERS KEEPERS, END OF WATCH, and LOST again (yes, there are two titles with the same name), among others, I’m eagerly awaiting THE INSTITUTE, his upcoming project.

Additionally starring Bill Camp, Matthew Modine, McKinley Belcher III, and Angela, the series “Zero Day” premiered on streaming platforms in late February. At present, all six episodes can be streamed back-to-back, making them accessible to Netflix subscribers who wish to binge-watch the show.

Following The Running Man And The Long Walk Movies, Will Hollywood Show Some Love To Richard Bachman’s Roadwork?

Richard Bachman’s works have recently become popular in Hollywood. The last adaptation of one of his books was the 1996 film “Thinner,” but Edgar Wright’s version of “The Running Man” (which promises to be truer to the original material than the 1987 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger) is scheduled for release in the fall. Additionally, Francis Lawrence finished production on “The Long Walk” last year and is now just waiting to announce a release date.

If both features turn out to be successful, might we then witness a big-screen adaptation of the novel “Roadwork” for Constant Readers?

44 years ago, a gripping novel titled “Rage” by Richard Bachman was first published, and this week marked its anniversary, sparking thoughts on its cinematic possibilities as a movie critic. While Stephen King fans may be relieved that an adaptation of “Rage” has never materialized (a relief, I must say), the same cannot be said for the films based on “The Regulators” from 1996 and “Blaze” from 2007, which are not among King’s finest works in my opinion. However, one of the unadapted Bachman novels that holds immense potential is “Roadwork.” In the right hands, this book could prove to be a captivating cinematic experience.

Similar to many books penned under King’s pseudonym, this one resonates with intense frustration and skepticism – feelings that are quite common in modern times (even though the narrative unfolds in the early 1970s). The main character, Barton George Dawes, shares some traits with Michael Douglas’s William “D-Fens” Foster from the movie “Falling Down”: he’s on the brink and seems eager to destroy his own world. Overwhelmed by grief after losing his son to terminal brain cancer, he damages both his career and marriage, and he becomes determined to resist a highway construction project that threatens to demolish his community.

In the novel “Roadwork,” Stephen King explores themes of existential anger, and the death of Barton George Dawes’ son serves as a poignant reflection of King’s own personal grief following the loss of his own child. As mentioned in the essay “Why I Was Bachman” found in the collection “The Bachman Books, “Roadwork” was penned during the period between “Salem’s Lot” and “The Shining,” but it held greater significance as it was composed a year after King lost his mother.

In the collection presented, the latest Bachman book, titled Roadwork, represented an attempt to pen a straightforward novel. At that time, I was young enough to feel the pressure from casual social inquiries like, “When will you do something meaningful?” Perhaps this work was also an attempt to find meaning amidst the tragic and agonizing death of my mother, who succumbed to cancer the year prior. Her passing left me mourning and disoriented by the seeming senselessness of it all.

He argues that it’s the “least favorable among the group” due to its exploration of the enigma of human suffering, yet in his 1996 essay “The Importance of Being Bachman,” he reevaluated it and labeled it as his “preferred book from the early Bachman series.” While I wouldn’t go that far (I reserve that title for The Long Walk), it is an exceptional tale penned with a heartfelt tone.

Attempts have been made recently to transform the novel “Roadwork”, and as not so long ago, the filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti (known for their work on “IT”, “IT: Chapter Two”, and the upcoming “IT: Welcome To Derry” series) shared with Radio Cantilo in 2019 that an adaptation was underway, led by Argentinian director Pablo Trapero. They also mentioned they intended to start filming at the beginning of 2020. However, as we are all aware, events in 2020 altered many plans, and since then, there’s been no further news about the project, suggesting it may have slowed down or stalled.

Should the successful theater releases of “The Running Man” and “The Long Walk” indicate a desire among moviegoers for the work of Richard Bachman, then “Roadwork” would be an ideal choice as the next title. If a skilled director and actor were able to capture the raw anger and strength from the pages, it could result in something truly remarkable.

Want To Do A Stephen King-Approved Double Feature This Weekend? Check Out The Monkey And The Rule Of Jenny Pen Back-To-Back

If you haven’t caught Osgood Perkins’ movie “The Monkey” yet, you’re in for a treat. With its intense gore and absurdly funny vibe, it stands out from other Stephen King adaptations. It’s a unique horror experience that’s sure to give you chills. I strongly suggest catching it on the big screen with an audience this weekend. And if you’re planning to go, consider pairing it with another Stephen King-approved “The Rule Of Jenny Pen,” written and directed by James Ashcroft. Enjoy!

The film featuring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, which debuted worldwide at Fantastic Fest last autumn, received a positive endorsement from Stephen King on social media shortly after its premiere – he praised it as “one of the best films I’ve seen this year.” This assessment resonates with me (as evidenced by my TopMob review of 4.5 stars), and starting this weekend, it will be available in limited release through IFC Films.

The style of “Jenny Pen’s Rule” is noticeably more chilling and suspenseful than “The Monkey,” eliciting shock rather than laughter due to its horror elements. However, when viewed as a pair, they showcase an impressive range within the genre.

This concludes our weekly installment of The King Beat for now. As usual, I’ll see you again next Thursday right here on TopMob, where we’ll catch up on the most recent headlines about Stephen King’s world.

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2025-03-06 20:45