The Goriest Stephen King Movie? Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey Has A Good Shot At The Title

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In my perspective as a reader, Stephen King’s works haven’t typically revolved around graphic gore. Instead, the dread he creates in his stories often stems from empathetic sources, focusing more on the well-crafted characters and their precarious situations, whether they involve ordinary life or supernatural elements. However, it’s worth noting that King has never shied away from expressing his fondness for the splatter genre, which is a significant aspect of his extensive literary legacy. That very aspect forms the core of this week’s main Stephen King-inspired story.

In approximately a month, Osgood Perkins’ movie titled “The Monkey” will hit theaters, and to build anticipation, a tantalizing sneak peek of the film’s intense content is set to release this week. This seems like an ideal moment to reminisce about some of the most gruesome movies and scenes inspired by Stephen King in cinema history. Additionally, there’s exciting news about a unique screening event taking place later this year, so let’s delve deeper into these topics!

The Monkey Has Me Reflecting On The Goriest Stephen King Movie Moments

In simpler terms, the Motion Picture Association described the trailer for “The Monkey” as showing a bowling ball hitting a child, excessive blood splatter on a man, and disturbing images such as blood streaming from a woman’s eyes and covering her head. With Stephen King’s history in cinema, it’s possible that this upcoming movie could be both the funniest adaptation of his work and also the goriest one yet.

Based on what we’ve witnessed so far from “The Monkey,” it seems it’ll offer a delightfully disgusting experience (for those not familiar with its intricate plot, the main character is a wind-up toy causing violent death whenever its key is fully turned). If it can maintain that level of wildness for a significant portion of its duration, it deserves that title. With this in mind, I thought it would be fitting to reminisce about some of the most insane and gory scenes in the cinematic history of Stephen King this week.

Creepshow 2 (1987)

In the 1987 anthology “Creepshow 2,” there’s some truly unsettling content, particularly in the segment titled “The Raft.” This story revolves around a group of college students who venture out to a remote lake. Their peaceful trip takes a dark turn when they step onto a raft, which then becomes the battleground for their lives against an ominous creature that resembles a moving oil slick. This monster has a gruesome ability to consume and digest any skin or hair it comes into contact with. The aftermath of its attacks is downright terrifying.

Tales From The Darkside: The Movie (1990)

Swiftly focusing on another anthology film, “Tales From The Darkside: The Movie,” stands out as it contains just one segment created by Stephen King, yet its astonishing finale makes it a fitting choice for this lighthearted analysis. “The Cat From Hell” revolves around a hitman hired by a run-down pharmaceutical executive to eliminate a cat believed to be behind a string of retaliatory killings. In an astonishing turn of events, the feline takes control over the assassin by leaping onto him and invading his body through his mouth – eventually leading to the pharma exec’s death when it forcefully exits the hitman’s mouth, causing a fatal heart attack.

Graveyard Shift (1990)

Regarding its horror elements, “Graveyard Shift” primarily capitalizes on the fear of rats (musophobia) since the film is filled with countless rats and vermin scurrying about in an old, run-down mill. The movie also includes ample amounts of gruesome violence, much of which is orchestrated by a colossal mutant bat. However, the most iconic gory scene occurs when this giant mutant bat meets its demise, getting trapped in a cotton picker, resulting in a grotesque mess that surprisingly enhances an otherwise mediocre film.

The Dark Half (1993)

As a cinephile immersed in the realm of Stephen King’s literary world, I can’t help but marvel at the birth of his alter ego, Richard Bachman. Unveiling this secretive persona in the mid-80s was like lifting a veil, revealing a hidden side to King’s creativity – darker, more cynical. This clandestine phase culminated in the crafting of “The Dark Half,” a novel that birthed one of his most sinister characters yet.

Fast forward to 1993, and George A. Romero breathes life into this chilling tale on the silver screen. In this adaptation, the embodiment of King’s duality, George Stark, leaves a trail of gruesome deeds in his wake. Armed with a razor-sharp blade and menacing leather cowboy boots, he slices through faces, throats, and even sends a poor soul’s head hurtling down a hallway.

The Mangler (1995)

Is “The Mangler” a good film to watch? Not particularly. However, does it deliver some absurdly gory scenes and over-the-top special effects? Absolutely! Given its title, what else would you anticipate from a movie called “The Mangler”? The film is based on the same-named short story, but there are many alterations during the adaptation process. However, one thing that remains consistent is the grisly events that occur when a person is drawn into an industrial laundry mangle (a play on words, indeed).

The Night Flier (1997)

Previously in this space, I’ve been vocal about my admiration for the underappreciated horror movie “The Night Flier.” And here’s another chance to sing its praises. This film, a noir-styled mystery revolving around a tenacious tabloid journalist pursuing a murderer with eerie vampire traits, offers ample bloodshed throughout. However, it truly deserves recognition for its daring climax. As the title villain stops at various small airports to satiate its hunger, it ultimately lands at Wilmington International Airport and massacres an entire terminal’s worth of people. To add a gruesome touch, the monster manipulates the journalist into believing that the victims are resurrecting, driving him to attack the lifeless bodies with an axe.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

In the greater part of its duration, the movie “Gerald’s Game” primarily relies on psychological terror rather than gore. The protagonist, Jessie Burlingame, finds herself handcuffed to a bed after her husband suffers a heart attack and dies. Throughout most of the film, there is no bloodshed, but when it does appear, it is startling enough to make you feel faint. At her absolute limit, Jessie manages to inflict a self-harm injury known as degloving, which helps her free herself from the handcuffs. The highly realistic special effects and Mike Flanagan’s masterful direction result in a horror scene that will be etched into your memory forever.

Can “The Monkey” manage to surpass all that grisly spectacle? The answer lies within the movie, which is set to premiere in theaters on February 21st.

Fans Of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Will Be Able To Celebrate The Film’s 45th Anniversary At One Of The Key Inspirations For The Overlook Hotel

The Timberline Lodge is a spot that’s likely recognizable to anyone with knowledge about Stanley Kubrick’s classic movie, The Shining, and its fictional hotel, the Overlook. Although Stephen King drew inspiration from The Stanley in Estes Park, Colorado for his book, and The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park, California was frequently referenced by the film’s design team, it was scenes of the Timberline Lodge that were utilized to depict the exterior of the Overlook in the movie. Last spring, there was a minor incident when a fire affected parts of the attic and roof, but the establishment has since made a complete comeback, and they are now preparing for a unique screening event later this year.

45 years ago, “The Shining” was released, and in 2025, it’s anniversary is being commemorated through On Set Cinema (via Fangoria) screenings. The film showing of “The Shining” will take place at the Timberline Lodge on October 5th, with tickets priced at $75. Attendees can watch the movie, explore the hotel and a private event space, and participate in photo opportunities, horror merchandise giveaways, and even score some exclusive swag. Plus, you’ll receive a voucher for a discounted overnight stay at the hotel!

For quite some time, I’ve been dreaming about making a trip to the Timberline Lodge. Maybe this will finally be the push I need to make it happen. Tickets are now available for purchase.

In conclusion, this week’s episode of The King Beat comes to an end, but don’t forget I’ll be here again on TopMob next Thursday, bringing you another exciting analysis of the latest happenings in the realm of Stephen King. If you need something to keep yourself engaged until then, why not explore the history of his work in film and television through my series titled ‘Adapting Stephen King’?

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2025-01-09 20:43