Needful Things isn't one of Stephen Kings better novels; it's overblown and leans heavily on gory horror and satanic menace rather than the compelling psychological tension that characterises his later work. The book's saving grace for me is the wit and charm of King's narrative style, which is inevitably lost in a screen adaptation.
This film pares down the story considerably: not necessarily a bad thing, though it leaves several loose ends for anyone familiar with the novel. Bolstered by strong performances from Ed Harris and Max Von Sydow in the leading roles, the result is a good horror film that's worth a watch, though it's several leagues below the likes of The Shining and The Green Mile.
This film pares down the story considerably: not necessarily a bad thing, though it leaves several loose ends for anyone familiar with the novel. Bolstered by strong performances from Ed Harris and Max Von Sydow in the leading roles, the result is a good horror film that's worth a watch, though it's several leagues below the likes of The Shining and The Green Mile.