1922 (2017)

Time to boot up the ol' Netflix again for the latest Stephen King adaptation which, I do say, have all been pretty damn good as of late - what with the theatrical first chapter of "It" and "Gerald's Game". The trend continues with "1922" - based on a short story out of King's 2010 collection, "Full Dark, No Stars" which puts us at a current three-for-three score on King flicks. I think it definitely pays to keep Mick Garris away from the director's chair on these adaptations.

Set in the year the title indicates, a farmer is butting heads with his wife over their acreage and whether or not to sell it and move to the city. She's adamant in doing so and he's more than reluctant to give up his farm. As their arguing heats up further, the farmer goads his son into aiding him in what he claims is the only conceivable measure to take - killing the nagging bitch. So they do and dump her down a dried up well next to the house. What follows is a downward spiral for the father and son, comprised of ghostly visions and unforeseen problems that look to damage their initial intentions...

The story here is presented in a very bleak and grim tone, thanks mostly, to the rural, period-piece backdrop to which it's set. Each performance is choice and, for the most part, the pacing is solid, despite the slow-burn approach. There's also some fun shit involving rats and a reasonably effective murder scene. Give "1922" a look.