Review of Gerald's Game (2017) by Jesse O — 20 Oct 2018

Having read and enjoyed the source material I was entirely skeptical going into Gerald's Game. 95% of the story takes place in a bedroom in a remote getaway cabin somewhere in Maine. You might wonder how scary things could possibly get with the main character trapped in a bedroom. Well, when she starts losing her mind, she's forced to confront the demons in her head, past traumas she's kept bottled up for most of her life. That, plus one very real ravaged dog make for a Stephen King adaptation that delivers its scares by thinking outside the box.

Stephen King has always done well playing off the fact that even those we're closest to may be keeping secrets we could never guess. This is what we see unfold here as Gerald brings his wife, Jesse, to his cabin for a short getaway. They've just barely unpacked before he's got Jesse handcuffed to the bed, something she's clearly not too comfortable with, but Gerald makes it clear she promised beforehand to be more open to trying new things. Once this is done, the real Gerald reveals himself. The movie does an excellent job of putting you in Jesse's position. I was practically squirming in my seat, thinking how horrible it would be to be so vulnerable with a monster like Gerald looming overhead. And then after Gerald's demise she's faced with a whole other set of problems. It's really a lose-lose situation from the moment the handcuffs click, and director Mike Flanagan makes you feel every ounce of its terror.

Gerald's Game only continues to succeed from here, especially in its slow buildup of tension. We learn of Jesse's incredibly tragic backstory, which, now chained up with nothing to distract her she is forced to face. As if this is not enough, her now dead husband, played by a brutally excellent Bruce Greenwood, continues to torment her, his condescending voice serving as her reckoning. There are other spooks that show up that are best left unsaid here, but just know that you probably won't see them coming. And that's the best kind of scare of all.

Bypassing the usual bump in the night frights of generic horror, Gerald's Game is a different kind of monster. This story succeeds by touching on fears we all have, but that rarely get any attention from writers and directors. This movie is packed to the brim with a beautiful balance of drama, horror, and even a dash of humor, eventually leading to a satisfying conclusion. Director Mike Flanagan has been quoted as saying he's interested in adapting other King novels. I say hand him the keys.