The Twilight Zone’s 1985 adaptation of Stephen King’s “Gramma” stands out as one of the most chilling moments in the show’s history, with King himself describing it as
“the most terrifying 19 minutes ever put on television.”
The Stephen King Twilight Zone Gramma episode has become a touchstone for horror television, not only for its intense narrative, but also because it brought together some of the genre’s top talents to produce a story that still unsettles viewers decades later.
The Eerie Legacy of The Twilight Zone Revivals
Since its debut in 1959 with Rod Serling as host, The Twilight Zone has seen multiple revivals, each with its own distinctive approach to speculative storytelling. In 2002, Forest Whitaker assumed the presenter’s role, while Jordan Peele revived the anthology again in 2019. However, the 1985 version remains closest in spirit to Serling’s groundbreaking original, thanks in part to its impressive roster of creative talent. Notable figures like Wes Craven, Joe Dante, and George R.R. Martin contributed to the series during this revival, as did Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski. What sets this era apart for many fans is its willingness to adapt bold material, including Stephen King’s short story “Gramma,” marking one of the few screen versions King has deeply praised.
How “Gramma” Blended Innocence with Cosmic Terror
Much like other stories from The Twilight Zone, “Gramma” commences with an apparently simple task: 11-year-old George, played by Barret Oliver, is asked to care for his elderly grandmother, who’s bedridden for unspecified reasons. During his attempts to bring her some tea, George is startled by her sudden movement, causing him to drop his tray. While cleaning, he discovers two books hidden under her bed, including the infamous Necronomicon—a grim tome central to the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The narrative twists sharply from there, as George soon realizes his grandmother has passed away. But when he tries to cover her body, it morphs into a monstrous entity that pulls him into a hellish realm.
The horror of “Gramma” is heightened through the technique of telling much of its story via George’s inner monologue. Soundscapes—ranging from the crash of the tea tray, to terrifying howls from Gramma’s body, and haunting chants from the Necronomicon—replace lengthy dialogue, intensifying the atmosphere. Barrett Oliver’s performance grounds the fear with innocence and vulnerability. Notably, Piper Laurie lends her voice to Gramma, delivering a chilling presence reminiscent of her lauded turn in Carrie, another King adaptation. The episode’s unique approach flips the child-with-a-magic-book trope found in The Neverending Story (which also starred Oliver), transforming wonder into dread.
The Unlikely Team Behind the Screen Adaptation
Adapting Stephen King’s “Gramma” posed significant challenges for The Twilight Zone’s writers. King’s original story relies heavily on George’s internal thoughts, making it tricky to translate for television. Ultimately, the writing team decided that the complex adaptation demanded the skills of story consultant Harlan Ellison. In his DVD commentary, Ellison recounted the moment he was assigned the script:
“They were afraid they were just going to have to write this off and lose a lot of money on this because it couldn’t be adapted. Well, they brought it out, and they said, ‘Here, take a read of this,’ and I read it, and I said, ‘Well, this is an impossible script to do because to do this what you’d have to do is da da da dada dadada.’ And they all started grinning, and they said, ‘Guess what? You’re going to do it.’ I said, ‘No, no, no, no, I was telling you what a writer would have to do!’ And they said, ‘Well guess who that writer [is]?’”
—Harlan Ellison, Story Consultant
While Harlan Ellison took on the challenge of adapting the teleplay, securing a director also became a story in itself. The production nearly had William Friedkin at the helm—known for directing The Exorcist and the Twilight Zone episode “Nightcrawlers”—but he withdrew for personal reasons. Instead, his director of photography, Bradford May, stepped in to lead. May’s direction amped up the tension, ensuring that each scare landed with impact. Ellison also contributed some of the hair-raising vocal effects for Gramma, adding another unsettling layer to the finished episode. The collaboration between Ellison, May, Barrett Oliver, and Piper Laurie resulted in an atmosphere that lingers with viewers long after the television is turned off.
Stephen King’s Personal Praise and the Episode’s Larger Impact
Stephen King is famously discerning about adaptations of his work and openly critical of certain high-profile efforts, such as Stanley Kubrick’s version of The Shining. However, he singled out the Twilight Zone’s “Gramma” as a success, stating it was
“the most terrifying 19 minutes ever put on television.”
—Stephen King, Author
King revealed that the source material was inspired by a moment from his own youth, adding a personal resonance to the story’s terror. The “Gramma” episode was not King’s only run-in with screen adaptations; Jason Blum produced Mercy in 2014, a film that builds upon the Gramma narrative but failed to capture the concise horror found in the Twilight Zone’s shorter format. Despite a capable cast, including The Walking Dead’s Chandler Riggs, Mercy was criticized for its slow pace, underscoring the exceptional achievement of the original Twilight Zone team in building fear so effectively within 19 minutes.
The 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone, through the work of figures like Harlan Ellison, Bradford May, and its talented cast, demonstrated that core suspense and psychological horror do not require lengthy screen time or extravagant effects. Instead, the enduring legacy of the Stephen King Twilight Zone Gramma episode is how it terrified audiences with a compact, powerful story that even its original author holds in the highest regard. The series’ ability to continually reinvent itself while respecting tradition has ensured its status as a benchmark for genre television. Today, fans can revisit “Gramma” and other episodes on Paramount+ in the United States, reaffirming the show‘s influence on generations of horror—and delivering scares that have stood the test of time.
