5 Best Stephen King Non-Horror Adaptations to Watch After The Life of Chuck
While these adaptations cannot be called scary, they can be described as touching, heartbreaking, and life-affirming.
Recently, The Life of Chuck was released in theaters, a rare Stephen King adaptation that is not a horror.
The writer's portfolio contains many touching and sad stories that don't scare you, but rather try to answer existential questions.
The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are the most notable examples of this, but everyone has seen them, so we have recalled lesser-known adaptations.
1. The Dead Zone, 1983
Teacher Johnny ends up in a coma for several years. While he was on the border between life and death, the world changed, as did Johnny's consciousness. He discovered the gift of foresight.
He tries to use his gift for good, but one day, he runs into Senator Greg Stillson. Johnny sees that Greg will become president and destroy the world. This means Johnny must stop him.
2. Stand by Me, 1986
Rob Reiner's movie transports us to August in 1959 in Oregon. There, four boys embark on their final childhood adventure. By the end of the journey, Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern will have to grow up.
The kids are on their way to confront death. Local bullies claim that a train hit a boy their age, but the police have not yet found the body. First, they want to see a dead man; second, they want to become heroes who find the missing person.
3. Lisey's Story, 2021
Lisey suddenly becomes a widow and must deal with her late husband's legacy, including his unpublished manuscript.
Lisey's Story is one of the most heartbreaking Stephen King adaptations. With few plot twists, the series realistically conveys the feeling of loss. Director Pablo Larraín, who gave us Maria, Spencer, and Jackie, took on the adaptation of this very personal novel.
4. Dolores Claiborne, 1995
Dolores Claiborne, a neighbor whom everyone dislikes, is a suspect. An elderly, wealthy woman for whom Dolores was a nurse has died, and the woman may be to blame.
Like the novel, the movie tries to understand two deaths: the present-day death of her employer and the disappearance of Dolores's husband many years ago, as revealed through a series of flashbacks.
Kathy Bates's masterful performance is matched by Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal of Dolores Claiborne's daughter.
5. Hearts in Atlantis, 2001
Hearts in Atlantis offers a glimpse into the summer holidays in Maine in the '60s. A single mother and her son, Bobby, move in with an unusual lodger who drinks soda, likes having newspapers read aloud to him, and seems to foresee the future. Or is he pretending?
Bobby begins to trust the man and tries to understand his mystical abilities. Of course, being 11 years old, Bobby also falls head over heels in love.