We take a look at the movie version of Stephen King’s Needful Things, starring Ed Harris… See also:the BFIs Stephen King season continues this weeek.

Reviews were not kind to the first book that he wrote after his rehabilitation.

It also doesnt quite the escalation of carnage right.

In the book, it quite literally explodes into life and becomes unrelentingly more chaotic.

The film, in contrast, feels more like fits and starts as Castle Rock goes into meltdown.

The residents of Castle Rock are smalltown caricatures with little depth or development.

He simply gets them to talk.

They admit to their pranks and apologise.

Simply put, communication is key.

There are themes running throughoutNeedful Thingsthat are still relevant today, but that one feels particularly poignant.

A King thing:Temptation.

Join me next time, Constant Reader, forThe Shawshank Redemption.