"Brilliant": Stephen King Praises Sci-Fi Horror Adaptation Of Classic Novel

Stephen King praises a sci-fi adaptation of a classic sci-fi horror, which flew under the radar when it was first released. As the year comes to a close, the seminal author has shared some of his TV favorites. They've varied from the Jamie Dornan crime thriller The Tourist to the short-lived Apple TV+ series Constellation. But several of his recommendations tended to have one thing in common.

Whether it was the straightforward horrors of shows like Evil or Teacup or the more subdued unease of a drama like the Billy Crystal-led Before, several of King's TV notables tend to revolve around unsettling situations that would not seem at all out of place in some of his most famous novels. The author's latest recommendation follows along those lines.

King Highlights The Midwich Cuckoos

The Series Is Adapted From John Wyndham's 1957 Novel

A British sci-fi series, based on the 1957 novel of the same name, The Midwich Cuckoos debuted in June 2022 on Sky from creator David Farr. The story focuses on a group of strange children that change a town forever. The town is a quiet place where nothing much happens until, one day, everything does. The cast includes Keeley Hawes, Max Beesley, Aisling Loftus, Ukweli Roach, Lara Rossi, Synnøve Karlse, Indica Watson, Adiel Magaji, and Samuel West.

King praised The Midwich Cuckoos, which is available to stream on AMC+ in the U.S., saying that the adaptation did not get enough attention upon its release. The author found that it was a faithful adaptation of Wyndham's novel, calling it “brilliant”, as he notes in the Threads post above.

Our Take On The Midwich Cuckoos

It Adaps A Beloved Book

Praised by The Handmaid Tale's author Margaret Atwood, and appreciated by King as well, The Midwich Cuckoos has been made into three movies under the title of The Village of the Damned. The only TV adaptation, directed by Alice Troughton, Jennifer Perrott, and Börkur Sigþórsson, could get a second look after King's recommendation. That's especially true for horror fans who enjoy the subgenre of kids acting strangely.

Source: Stephen King / Threads