Latest news with #StephenKing
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
A killer curveball
Our favourite diminutive gray-haired autistic private eye Holly Gibney faces not one, not two, but three totally whackjob wingnut killers converging on dreary Buckeye City on the even drearier shores of Lake Erie. Having sold plenty of copies of his most recent novel Holly, American horror master Stephen King brings Gibney back again, this time tackling an unknown avenger seemingly killing people randomly, and siblings from a far-right church aiming to assassinate a feminist icon. Well, as Holly might say, this is kind of poopy, but no more than she can handle. Probably. Maybe. Shane Leonard photo After supporting roles in some of his other books, Never Flinch is Stephen King's second novel to feature Holly Gibney as the protagonist. Never Flinch is quite the episodic tale, offering us disparate elements galore, which we're confident will all come together in an apocalyptic finale. One hint: no supernatural creatures this time… just evil on steroids. To set the scene: A man who was beaten out for a big promotion frames his competitor as a child pornographer who goes to prison and is murdered by another inmate. The elevated runner-up doesn't get to enjoy his new job very long; he has terminal cancer and relents, although the innocent man is dead by then. Except… except that there's evidence he recanted in time to save the wrongfully convicted man, but the prosecutor sat on the evidence because he had a slam-dunk conviction. Now someone has announced he'll kill 13 innocents and one guilty in retribution. And proceeds to start doing so. Meanwhile, feminist motivational author Kate is on a speaking tour across the U.S., attracting hordes of supporters and MAGA haters. King quietly works in the names of real doctors murdered for providing abortion as a health care service. Unbeknownst to Kate and faithful assistant Corrie, a right-wing church has dispatched siblings Chris and Chrissy to try to scare her off the campaign, and if that doesn't work, to murder her and as many of her followers as they can manage. In Buckeye City, it goes without saying. The plot needs even more thickening — so Holly becomes Kate's bodyguard. Meanwhile, legendary soul singer Sista Betty is going to be performing in Buckeye City, and is a huge admirer of Holly's young associate, poet Barbara, and wants to adapt one of her poems to music and perform it together. Yes, together. Barbara and her brother Jerome are tangentially helping Holly unofficially sleuthing the growing list of random murders, after Holly is off-the-books enlisted by her friend police detective Izzy. Never Flinch Meanwhile (yet again), Izzy is starting pitcher for the cops in a charity softball game against the firefighters, that the mayor has decreed must go on, serial carnage notwithstanding. Further muddying the picture, the firefighters are depicted as a pack of MAGA misogynists. Stephen King has written dozens of horror novels since Carrie in 1976, only a handful limited to human beings, and a paucity of straightforward murder mysteries, an obvious exception Holly the book, albeit with elderly professorial cannibals. Never Flinch does get quite busy, the softball game especially cumbersome. In a desperate attempt to avoid spoilers: some characters are dealt with quite abruptly, when we might expect drawn-out confrontations lasting the better part of a chapter. King has generally had well-meaning white liberals from the northern U.S. as his protagonists, for which Holly certainly qualifies. He has had less success writing Black characters who feel like rounded real people. Barbara, Jerome and Sista Betty are just so nice, and so magnificently talented in everything they do. They feel like folk in a '50s sitcom about perfect families. Nevertheless, Holly Gibney is an appealing hero with legions of fans. In the acknowledgements, King says his wife Tabitha read a draft and told him he could have done better. Maybe so, but it's Stephen King, and Never Flinch offers a darned good read. Retired Free Press reporter Nick Martin has no intention of visiting Erie or Sandusky or whichever awful Ohio city that Buckeye City is supposed to be; he reckons random murders might not have been one of the featured tourism draws.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Stephen King's Post Trolling Donald Trump Takes Off Online
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Stephen King's latest jab at President Donald Trump has racked up more than 1.5 million views on social media in just a day. The post, "TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out," comes as "TACO" memes mocking the president have taken off online over the president's tariff policies. In response, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Newsweek, "Art is a reflection of the artist, and these asinine acronyms convey how unserious analysts have consistently beclowned themselves by mocking President Trump and his agenda that've already delivered multiple expectation-beating jobs and inflation reports, trillions in investment commitments, a historic UK trade agreement, and rising consumer confidence." Newsweek has reached out to King's press team for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters On April 2, Trump announced a series of sweeping global tariffs, including a baseline 10 percent on all imported goods and the widely anticipated "reciprocal" tariffs. Their implementation led the stock markets to drop drastically, with Wall Street posting its worst losses since 2020 and trillions of dollars in value erased. Shortly after the "reciprocal" tariffs took effect in April, Trump paused most of them for 90 days, prompting a surge in the markets. Since Trump took office, global markets have faced significant uncertainty amid the frequent announcement, implementation, suspension and, at times, reimposition of various trade and tariff policies. The president has also publicly pressured Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, to lower interest rates and suggested at one point he might fire Powell before backing down again. (L): President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the Washington. (R): Stephen... (L): President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the Washington. (R): Stephen King attends the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. More AP Photo/Evan Vucci/Chris Pizzello What To Know King's viral post on X, formerly Twitter, comes as criticism of Trump's economic and diplomatic strategies continued to intensify online. The post has nearly 8,000 reshares and over 56,000 likes. King has previously had viral social media posts critiquing Trump and his policies. TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 29, 2025 The term "TACO" originated in financial circles as a quip about Trump's tariff threats and perceived unpredictability. On Wednesday, CNBC's Megan Casella alluded to Trump's repeated tariff threats while asking him about the "TACO trade" theory. Trump shot back at Casella, accusing her of asking the "nastiest" question and telling her to never ask it again. "I've never heard that. You mean because I reduced China from 145 percent that I set down to 100, and then down to another number, and I said you have to open up your whole country?" Trump said. "And because I gave the European Union a 50 percent tax—tariff—and they called up and said, 'Please let's meet right now.'" "And I said, ok, I'll give you til July 9—I actually asked them, I said what's the date, because they weren't willing to meet," Trump added, referring to the EU tariffs. "And after I did what I did, they said, 'We'll meet any time you want.' And we have an end date of July 9." "You call that chickening out?" Trump said before going on to emphasize the investments that multiple companies have pledged to make in the U.S. Following the encounter, hundreds of TACO Trump memes have flooded online platforms, with some users posting photos of Trump as a chicken or inside a taco and often using the hashtag #TACOTrump. What People Are Saying Justin Wolfers, an economics professor at the University of Michigan, told MSNBC on Tuesday: "There's an asset here that really matters called American credibility. There was a time when the president opened his mouth, when you had to pay attention because you thought it meant something, that it was a shift in policy that other countries could rely on and respond to. That's no longer the case. In fact, on Wall Street right now—and it's on one level funny and on another level tragic—there's a trade called the TACO trade. T-A-C-O: Trump always chickens out." Chris Beauchamp, the chief market analyst at IG Group, said after Tuesday's stock rally: "TACO trade triumphs once again." What Happens Next Trump announced over the long weekend that the latest round of tariffs will be delayed until July 9, while U.S. and EU officials hold trade discussions.
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Stephen King Shares His Thoughts on Mike Flanagan's THE LIFE OF CHUCK – "I Love That Movie" — GeekTyrant
With a wave of upcoming Stephen King adaptations headed our way, The Long Walk , The Running Man , and more, it's easy to focus on the familiar, the terrifying, the classic King. But right around the corner is a quieter release that's already made a powerful impression on the master of horror himself. The Life of Chuck , based on King's 2020 novella and hitting theaters next week, is not your typical King fare. This isn't horror. It's not about haunted hotels or killer clowns. It's about life… fleeting, beautiful, and strange. Directed and adapted by Mike Flanagan, who previously brought us Doctor Sleep , Gerald's Game , and The Haunting of Hill House , this film marks a shift into something more tender, more reflective, and, if you ask King, something truly special. King recently opened up about the Tom Hiddleston-led film, and this is what he said: 'It's a wonderful movie. I don't know if it will do any business or not. I don't know if people are in the mood for that sort of warm-hearted thing. 'It's not what I would call syrupy and sentimental because it does have an acknowledgment that life can be very, very difficult. But Hiddleston did a great job as Chuck. I love that movie.' A 'wonderful movie.' A 'warm-hearted thing.' From the guy who gave us Pet Sematary and The Shining , and that's an emotional endorsement. The story structure of The Life of Chuck is unconventional. It's told in reverse starting with Chuck's death from a brain tumor at 39, then moving backward through three linked vignettes that paint a portrait of a life lived, lost, and remembered. The result is something intimate and surreal, an 'apocalyptic version of It's a Wonderful Life,' as it's been described. As for Flanagan, King has nothing but respect for the guy. Over the past few years, Flanagan has carved out a niche for adapting King in ways that feel deeply personal and cinematic. With The Life of Chuck , he's traded in horror for grace, and according to King, it's great! The cast also includes Mark Hamill, David Dastmalchian, Chiwetel Ejiofor ( Doctor Strange ), and Jacob Tremblay ( Doctor Sleep ), as well as Mia Sara, Trinity Bliss, Harvey Guillen, Rahul Kohli, and Heather Langenkamp. Chiwetel Ejiofor ( 12 Years a Slave ), a school teacher trying to apply logic to the planet's troubles; Karen Gillan ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) is his ex, a hospital worker determined to save everyone she can; Matthew Lillard ( Scream ) is a construction worker neighbor who finds zen amid the chaos; and Carl Lumbly ( Alias ), plays a funeral director who has dedicated his life to easing people through death. As King put it, the film is 'a happiness machine.' And honestly? We could all probably use one of those right now.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix fans left stunned after watching horror film dubbed 'the most disturbing' they've ever seen
Netflix viewers were left shocked after tuning into what they described as the 'most disturbing' psychological horror they had ever seen. Stephen King's kinky 1992 novel Gerald's Game had long been considered a book impossible to transition onto the big screen. But in 2017, film director Mike Flanagan - who has adapted a number of horror writer King's novels since - emphatically did just that. Starring Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood, the movie released on Netflix later that year leaving film-watchers and critics alike absolutely stunned. Its plot follows married couple Jessie and Gerald as they embark on a secluded retreat. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. After arriving at their abode however, Jessie is left locked to the bed when Gerald suffers a fatal heart attack during a kinky sex game. The rest of the plot details Jessie's desperate struggle to survive as she battles against her mental trauma - with the widow forced to overcome a traumatic incident in her childhood in order to leave the bedroom alive. The movie culminates in a gruesome finale which left many viewers hiding behind their sofas and unable to watch. In fact, the film was so terrifying that it gained the adulation of Stephen King himself, with the author posting on X: 'Saw a rough cut of Mike Flanagan's GERALD's Game yesterday. 'Horrifying. Hypnotic. Terrifying. It's gonna freak you out.' And freaks fans out it did, with hundreds taking to social media to express their views about the film. 'This movie is an enigma,' one wrote: 'On paper, it sounds like a boring movie: a woman is stuck, handcuffed to a bed for a long time, she eventually escapes. 'It was considered unfilmable for quite a while. But Mike Flanagan did a great job with this film and at this point, it's like he's physically incapable of making a bad King adaptation.' Actor Carla Gugino said she was 'thankful' that they managed to pull off the 'special' movie during an interview with Buzzfeed Another penned: 'This movie was one of the most disturbing and suspenseful movies I have ever watched, and it was awesome. 'Sometimes the plot and story were a little slow and boring, but it was worth it to feel the intensity of the movie. Another great adaptation of Stephen King's work! I enjoyed watching it, I highly recommend it for fans of horror and thrillers!' While another viewer praised its storytelling: 'This was a fun movie to watch, the characters felt fully thought out. The story is such a simple one to tell but incredibly rich with back story about our main character.' The movie too gained a host of positive reviews from critics at the time of its 2017 release. One wrote: 'Unsurprisingly, the film is [Mike Flanagan's] most accomplished to date, the result of the years he's spent giving a damn about his characters and their anguish. He's so good at it, he even makes it look easy.' Speaking about her role in the film, Carla Gugino told Buzzfeed: 'It was always considered an un-adaptable book by Stephen King. Also, someone was attached to play the role before. So, from the moment that I spoke to Mike Flanagan to the moment we were filming Gerald's Game, it was literally two weeks. 'So, to come on to that role in that project in which I was chained to a bed within that period of time, was a real risk. And I thought, "We're either going to do something really special here, or this is the end of my career." You know what I mean? There's no middle ground here. I'm so thankful that it was the former.' Stephen King's skills as an author coupled with Mike Flanagan's directorship expertise has proved to be a successful combination over the years. While Gerald's Game was the first book of King's which Flanagan adapted, they have gone onto collaborate on further projects. Doctor Sleep, which Flanagan adapted from the author's sequel to The Shining, was released to rave reviews in 2019. And in just a matter of weeks The Life of Chuck is set to come out, a Flanagan adaptation of the King novella of the same name. Thought to be one of the author's more experimental works, the film follows the life of Charles 'Chuck' Krantz, a man dying from a brain tumour
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix horror film about kinky sex game is 'most disturbing' fans have seen
Gerald's Game is a psychological horror thriller that left critics and audiences floored Mike Flanagan's 2017 psychological horror-thriller, Gerald's Game, left viewers and critics stunned upon its release, as evidenced by its impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now available on Netflix, this film adaptation of Stephen King's 1992 novel – long considered impossible to translate onto the big screen – features Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood as the main characters. Gerald's Game follows the terrifying story of a married couple, Jessie and Gerald, who embark on a secluded retreat, only for Gerald to suddenly succumb to a fatal heart attack, leaving Jessie locked to their bed with no apparent means of escape. Jessie's desperate struggle to survive, compounded by her inner turmoil, is masterfully conveyed in this gripping film, which earned high praise from none other than Stephen King himself, who tweeted: "Saw a rough cut of Mike Flanagan's GERALD'S GAME yesterday. Horrifying, hypnotic, terrific. It's gonna freak you out." Discussing her role in the film, Carla Gugino told Buzzfeed: "It was always considered an un-adaptable book by Stephen King. Also, someone was attached to play the role before. So, from the moment that I spoke to Mike Flanagan to the moment we were filming 'Gerald's Game,' it was literally two weeks.", reports the Daily Record. "So, to come on to that role in that project, in which I was chained to a bed within that period of time, was a real risk. And I thought, 'We're either going to do something really special here, or this is the end of my career.' You know what I mean? There's no middle ground here. I'm so thankful that it was the former." Gerald's Game has been receiving rave reviews and is a must-watch for those who enjoy psychological horror. One critic praised the film saying: "Unsurprisingly, the film is [Mike Flanagan's] most accomplished to date, the result of the years he's spent giving a damn about his characters and their anguish. He's so good at it, he even makes it look easy." Another reviewer added: "Finally, after the abysmal The Dark Tower and the overhyped It, we have a Stephen King adaptation that's worthy of the brand." While one critic stated: "Writer-director Mike Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard have turned Gerald's Game into one of the most compelling, eerie, memorable Stephen King adaptations to date." Another added: "Gerald's Game is a symphony of suspense and scares, spiked with just the right amount of gruesome gore." Audience reviews were equally complimentary. One viewer was captivated by the film's unexpected depth, remarking: "This movie is an enigma. On paper, it sounds like a boring movie: a woman is stuck, handcuffed to a bed for a long time, she eventually escapes. It was considered unfilmable for quite a while. But Mike Flanagan did a great job with this film and at this point, it's like he's physically incapable of making a bad King adaptation." Another cinema-goer praised the film's edge-of-the-seat quality, saying: "This movie was one of the most disturbing and suspenseful movies I have ever watched, and it was awesome. Sometimes the plot and story were a little slow and boring, but it was worth it to feel the intensity of the movie. Another great adaptation of Stephen King's work! I enjoyed watching it, I highly recommend it for fans of horror and thrillers!". Meanwhile, a different fan appreciated the storytelling, writing: "This was a fun movie to watch, the characters felt fully thought out. The story is such a simple one to tell but incredibly rich with back story about our main character." And yet another viewer lauded the film's faithfulness to its source material, saying: "One of the best adaptations to Stephen King's works. The substance was there and the story was well developed."
