Film Review: "Gerald's Game" (2017).

"Some games you play, some you survive." This is Gerald's Game. This psychological horror thriller drama film directed by Mike Flanagan, adapted by Flanagan and Jeff Howard, and based on Stephen King's 1992 novel of the same title. When her husband's sex game goes wrong, Jessie - handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house - faces warped visions, dark secrets and a dire choice.

In late May 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that Flanagan had been hired to direct an adaptation of King's 1992 suspense thriller, as well as pen the script with Howard. By late October 2016, Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, and Carel Struycken were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in early November. Filming took place in Mobile, Alabama.

The film stars, Gugino, Greenwood, Thomas, Siegel, and Struycken. Terrific performances were given by the cast, especially by Gugino. The bulk of the movie’s appeal, however, comes from Gugino, delivering her most effective performance in ages. She plays unfortunate and tortured soul, Jessie Burlingame, who is unfortunately handcuffed to a bed in an remote lake house after her husband's sex game goes horribly wrong.

Thanks to Flanagan's patient storytelling and strong work from lead Gugino, Gerald's Game ranks among the more satisfying Stephen King adaptations. The film is not lurid in its scares, and instead depicts its protagonist's suffering mostly as a slow rot. The film is a credible addition to a filmography where practically every thought the writer commits to paper is, seemingly, deemed fit for the screen. There's an unshakable menace that lingers, a tale of guilt and regret that burrows its way under the skin. It is a tale of human guilt, divine consequence, and good old fashioned King-ly horror, with a performance by Gugino that only solidifies her standing as a leading actress who Hollywood continues to overlook. The film is a compelling and gripping look at marriage, gender dynamics and the aftermath, and its simplicity helps propel it in to one of the most sophisticated Stephen King cinematic adaptations. Almost unanimous praise aside, I will say that the film suffers from the familiar case of a short story stretched too thin in a feature film. The film's length does run a tad too long. Also, it doesn't take any shocking new twists. But what it does capitalize on is the root and themes of King's best works, and musters just enough fresh polish to a classic scenario to make it worth one more ride. The premise of the film isn't as instantly catchy as 1922 or as flashy as It, but the adaptation is successful - I could hear Stephen King's voice coming through loud and clear. In cinemas, it might have been overshadowed by flashier rivals, but perhaps, on demand, this slow, but winningly bleak little tale will find the audience it deserves. It may not be particularly original, but it's a good, minor King adaptation. It's a cheeseburger that knows it's a cheeseburger, and it's a blast.

Simon says Gerald's Game receives:

Also, see my review for Ouija: Origin of Evil.