In terms of Stephen King's back catalogue, Needful Things the novel is an often overlooked piece of brilliance. Unfortunately, this brilliance is not present in the film adaptation. Whilst being a middle-of-the-road/run-of-the-mill horror yarn, the subtle social subtext of the novel turns into silly and OTT set pieces. It seems as though all involved can't be bothered.
Saying that, there are enjoyable moments to be found. Ed Harris, Max Von Sidow and the late JT Walsh appear to be relishing in their hamminess and the nastiness is ramped up in places (where Raider the dog is stabbed repeatedly in the book, he's skinned here).
The ending is dire though. Whilst the book's deafeat-evil-with-a-magic-bunch-of-flowers climax was sketchy at best, here they actually manage to make it worse.
It's ok. Won't watch it again any time soon though.
2.5/5
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