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As an author, horror master Stephen King has inspired some truly terrifying—and some absolutely unforgettable—films. It’s been a quarter of a century since he last adapted one of his own stories for the big screen (1989’s Pet Sematary). But the limited release of Stephen King’s A Good Marriage might tip you off that King’s screenwriting return isn’t as triumphant as fans would like.
A Good Marriage stars Joan Allen as Darcy Anderson, a happily-married wife and mother of two who’s thoroughly enjoying the empty nest years with her husband of 25 years, Bob (Anthony LaPaglia). But everything changes during one of Bob’s frequent business trips, when a quick trip to the garage to replace a battery leads to a horrifying discovery: the identification cards of a notorious serial killer’s latest victim.
Faced with evidence that suggests that her loving husband has tortured and killed a dozen women, Darcy is forced to think through her options while trying to keep from becoming the killer’s next victim.
Stephen King’s A Good Marriage has some of the elements of a good thriller. It’s tense and psychologically suspenseful, taking the time to consider all of the possibilities. Will Darcy turn her husband in? Will she keep his secret? Will she make a tragic mistake? Anything seems possible for the unsuspecting player in this deadly drama. And as she bides her time, trying to act as though nothing has changed, the tension of the situation is sure to keep audiences on edge. The scares may often be cheap—simply taking advantage of Darcy’s perilous position to make viewers jump at every sudden noise or movement—but they’re effective nonetheless.
Unfortunately, though, the suspense isn’t enough to make the film a horrifying hit. At times, the characters are overplayed and even silly—LaPaglia hamming it up for the camera while Allen tosses out awkward one-liners. And it’s often all too obvious that the screenplay was adapted from a short story—because, while the idea is clever, the development is weak. It just feels incomplete, missing some of the action, build-up, and even characters needed to make it a gripping film. As a result, it feels more like a mildly interesting made-for-TV thriller—cheaply made and just a little bit cheesy—than an unforgettable Stephen King classic.
The story behind Stephen King’s A Good Marriage is definitely an intriguing one—one that’s full of fascinating possibilities—but the execution is lacking. It might make you grip your armrests from time to time, but it probably won’t keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
Ed. Note: Stephen King’s A Good Marriage is now playing in select theaters and is also available on-demand through providers like Amazon Instant Video.
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