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Top Stephen King books to read during Halloween!

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The Halloween season is in full effect and we’ve been sucked into the frivolities!  Amusement parks have been taken over by demonic forces and transformed into a macabre tangle of haunted mazes. Spooky stores have popped up everywhere to feed our Halloween cravings, and horror movies are playing all month long. We live for this phantasmal time of year when ghouls and creepies are free to walk freely under the autumn sky. So what better time to get lost in a good scary book? Stephen King has us covered.

 

Stephen King is a Halloween must!

Stephen King is the modern-day master of the macabre. His books have bewitched readers for generations and will certainly go on to outlive us all, proving the timelessness of his immortal visions of the grotesque and the dreaded.

Stephen King masters the ability to turn the ordinary into the – grimmest kind of – extraordinary. His writings are captivating and easy to get lost inside. First-time readers may find his library of works a little intimidating and not know where to start. So here’s a list of my personal favorite Stephen King books to read during this spooky time of year.

 

Pet Sematary

One of the secrets to the literary success Stephen King enjoys is his ability to make everyday life truly terrifying. Many people who read his works are shocked by how relatable his stories can be. In fact, they may be a little too close to home for comfort.

That’s because Stephen King uses his own experiences in his stories. The more hair-raising they are the better. At the time before writing Pet Sematary, Stephen King moved his family into a little house that stood just a little too close to the road. After a particularly close call with one of his kids (involving that road), King’s imagination kicked into overdrive. ‘What would have happened if…?’ and with that chilling riddle thundering around in his mind he sat down at his typewriter and hammered out what would become one of his most ghoulish classics. The answer to his morbid curiosity took form as the deadly secrets behind the mysterious Pet Sematary began to reveal themselves to the writer, and later would go on to haunt readers everywhere.

 

 

Stephen King said that his mother taught him to imagine the worst to get the opposite. So he intentionally puts the families of his stories through the worst kind of traumas as a way to – just maybe – keep his own family safe and sound. This story is possibly a shining example of that kind of strange magic at work.

Pet Sematary is alive with eerie undertones and malicious atmosphere. On one hand, you could reason that the terrible series of events that have befallen the Creed family can be chalked up to nothing more than horrible coincidences. Then again, there is a dark rumor echoing from beyond the lonely cemetery the local kids have built. Something is restless out there and maybe, just possibly, has orchestrated disaster upon the family to achieve its own unholy demands.

 

‘Salem’s Lot

This was the first Stephen King book I ever read. Yup, this was the one that hooked me for a lifetime. I was seventeen, living in St. Petersburg, Russia, and ecstatic because I just found the only English bookstore we had in the city. I saved up – because import tax was a nightmare – and bought this book, rushed home, and could not put it down!

This past year I returned to it out of curiosity and once more was pulled into its darkly wonderful world. Before I knew it the first five chapters were behind me and I couldn’t put it down. History repeated itself and I was reminded why I originally loved this story. It’s dark, it’s menacing, there is a real sense of dread to closes in on the town, and you genuinely feel for each character. Everyone is written so well that you believe they’re real.

As far as Halloween goes, this is a story you’ll want to make a priority.

Anyone familiar with the plot will know it’s about vampires. No real secret there. Stephen King got the idea one day while wondering what would happen if Count Dracula moved into town. So, per his usual, he set out to exorcize this demonic curiosity via his typewriter. ‘Salem’s Lot was thus born.

 

image via Cemetery Dance Publication.

 

It’s an underrated vampire classic. It really dives into the heart of vampire lore. But I was a little shocked upon this past re-reading; perhaps I was a dense teenager back when I first cracked this book open, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized the vampires are not the actual core of the story. The core of this story lies behind the boarded-up windows of an old house sitting atop a hill. The house can be seen from any point of ‘Salem’s Lot, and the locals both hate and fear that abode of shadows and secrets.

This is a clever (and quite unexpected) Haunted House story. That old house is the rotting heart of the town and serves as a malignant beacon summoning all the Devil’s children home to its darkened halls of pain. And evil does answer it’s call.

If you’re needing a modernized gothic horror tale, this is a must.

 

IT

Of all the many books he’s written, this one is by far my favorite. The story flows from cover to cover with a genuine sense of encroaching dread.

Deeply hidden beneath the mundane surface of Derry, Maine, sleeps an ageless evil. It is a malignant force that befouls the entire town by its mere presence. Indeed, there’s something to be very afraid of in Derry.

 

image via barnesandnoble.com

 

Everyone knows this is a killer clown story, but Stephen King – the sadist we all love him for – isn’t just content to leave it at that. Oh no, Pennywise isn’t just an ordinary killer clown. He
is the very embodiment of pure terror. He is a cosmic evil and is far older than our world. He is what’s known as a Deadlight, a horrifying reality of nightmares and hysteria.

The Clown is Fear incarnate. He not only has the power to read your deepest fears but can bring them to life. He will scare you beyond your limits. He will unhinge your mind by using your worst fear against you. Why? Because scared people taste better of course.

Stephen King admitted he wanted to write a story where he could somehow use all the classic monsters – Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolfman etc. – he grew up loving. Pennywise offered King that opportunity, and that’s what makes this such a great Halloween read. IT  offers readers a nice selection of monsters and nightmares through the central character of Pennywise, who may be King’s grandest creation.

 

Cycle of the Werewolf

In case IT seems like too much of an undertaking as your first dive into Stephen King literature, I recommend a work that is far less in bulk but lacks nothing in story. This is one that gets overlooked and it’s time to let the full moon shine brightly upon this wonderful creature-spectacular.

 

image via Amazon

 

The cult-classic Silver Bullet was based on this hair-raising chiller, however, if you’ve seen the movie and think you know the story you’ll find yourself very surprised to find the half hasn’t even been told you.

This is a quick read and who doesn’t love a little lycanthropy for Halloween?

 

Night Shift

Again, if you’re looking for a quick read – and this is a busy time of year, I get it – then look no further. Night Shift is a collection of some of Stephen King’s best short stories.

 

image via Goodreads

 

Quick Halloween recommendations from this collection:

Children of the Corn – A creepy little story about killer kids who worship a demonic presence out in the corn fields. Kids are creepy little bastards on their own, but Stephen King has to give them a demon to worship and offer sacrifice to – because of course, he does!

Graveyard Shift – If you’re looking for a down and dirty little eerie delight, this is the one you’ll want to start with. Tons of rats burrow in and out of the bowels of an old cotton mill, but there is something much nastier than these greasy legions to worry about down there. And guess what? We have to go down there and discover this breathing abomination to nature.

Jerusalem’s Lot – This one serves as a tie-in to the aforementioned ‘Salem’s Lot. It’s King’s closest attempt at the Mythos lore of Lovecraft, while also adding more depth and background to the accursed town from his own dark imagination.

Sometimes They Come Back – This is a good, old fashion ghost story from King’s unique perspective. In it, we learn that sometimes the past refuses to stay buried, and will find a way to come back.

 

Sure, nearly each of these has had a film adaptation (or adaptations), but even if we’ve all grown up watching the movies, the books are always superior and offer a lot more to the tales we already know we love. So let’s make reading sexy and creep ourselves out with some chilling tales by a horror master. Happy Halloween, my Nasties.

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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