Review of Needful Things (1993) by Cassandra M — 16 Jul 2009

Set in the small township of Castle Rock - a fictional location created by Stephen King - 'Needful Things' is the tale of an antiques shop run by Leland Gaunt, the Devil himself, played by Max Von Sydow. As the proprietor of the New England business, Gaunt gets his claws into the town, just as antiques dealer Straker did in the King masterpiece 'Salem's Lot'.

Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Ed Harris, 'The Creepshow' & 'The Stand') does not buy the salesman's evil pitch. He sees straight through Gaunt's evil plan immediately.

Incidentally, Pangborn also turns up in King's 'The Dark Half' and is played in the subsequent movie by Michael Rooker. Ace Merril from 'Stand By Me' also appears in King's novel but is omitted from the movie. In fact there is much missing from the movie that can be found in the novel, but this is always the case with Stephen King adaptations. The movie does not let fans down, though ... the characters are well acted, dark and moody ...

Gaunt practically buys his way into the township, offering the residents antiques of their choice in return for payment of their souls. It is up to Pangborn and Polly Chambers (relation of Chris Chambers in 'Stand By Me' aka 'The Body') played by Bonnie Bedelia ('Salem's Lot') and schoolboy Brian Rusk to bring down Gaunt.

Typically 'Needful Things' is set in small-town Stephen King Maine --- a part of the world that will forever be associated with the horror author. The scenery is stunning, especially the coastline. There is plenty of action as well as a thriller feel and some very amusing moments too. Fans of 'Salem's Lot' will identify with this film, notably the similarities in story and characters. Evil invades a small town, slowly influencing its inhabitants, especially the obligatory young boy (related to King's own childhood escapades perhaps?) So enter 'Needful Things' and indulge your curiosity. But a little curiosity shop this is not. Probably one of the better Stephen King adaptations.