[Fantastic Fest 22] Review: King On Screen
Welcome to Maine —these words of welcome might be warm and fuzzy to those venturing into the northeasternmost state of America best known for its rocky coastline and nature reserves, however; for Stephen King fans, it’s an omen. We all know that Maine is where it all goes to hell: it’s where Pennywise wreaks havoc eating children, the devil trades souls for prized possessions, and where Church creeps around the Pet Semetary. Maine is where the King takes us to terrify us and brings to life the most beautiful horror we all know and love.
The documentary King on Screen was brought to life through a Kickstarter campaign that reached 100% of its goal in May 2021. Directed by documentary filmmaker Daphné Baiwir, the film stars some of the biggest names in horror filmmaking, including Greg Nicotero, Mike Flanagan, Frank Darabont, Josh Boone, and Scott Hicks. We are taken on a journey of epic proportions as we learn about the impact that Stephen King’s writing has made on the world of horror filmmakers and their films.
King on Screen starts with an introduction to Maine, the world we know hosts some of the scariest horror movies and books we’ve ever consumed. The introduction is full of wonderful easter eggs paying homage to King and the objects, people, and places we have grown to know more than we thought we ever would about them. Not only does the documentary open with an incredible montage dedicated to the King, but the film also boasts discussions of over 80 films and television series that were brought to the screen thanks to Stephen King’s passionate writing. Hearing filmmakers' perspectives discussing how important and influential King’s writing is on their work and adaptations was an absolute pleasure.
The documentary focuses not only on the horror classics that King has written but also dives into the dramatic and coming-of-age stories he conjured. It’s wonderful to see non-horror-related discussions about King’s creations, particularly the ever-impactful Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption. One of the more interesting elements was the lengthy discussions regarding Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining and the conjectures surrounding the film. This aspect took a deep look into the behind-the-scenes with Shelley Duvall at the time of filming. We have all heard the stories of how Shelley was treated on set by Kubrick and witnessing the footage shows how on edge the film star was.
Director Daphné Baiwir conducted interviews with notable filmmakers that were highly educational and engaging, each filmmaker bringing something new to the discussion that further proved that King is literally the King of horror. Fans of the author will absolutely love the shared experiences, the behind-the-scenes content shown from past films, and the discussions that each filmmaker shares when talking about how their King adaptations were brought to life.
King on Screen will premiered at Fantastic Fest 2022.
