Stephen King played a pivotal role in kickstarting Sam Raimi’s career, an influence Raimi openly acknowledges. Although Raimi has never directed a Stephen King adaptation, his connection to King runs deep, highlighted by his acting appearances in two King-based productions, The Stand (1994) and The Shining (1997). This longstanding bond between the acclaimed horror author and the filmmaker extends beyond these on-screen cameos, reflecting King’s support behind the scenes.
Raimi’s latest film, Send Help, debuting this week, inspired a recent conversation with CinemaBlend’s Jeff McCobb, centering on the enduring impact King has had on Raimi’s career. Despite industry comparisons of the new movie to King’s Misery, Raimi is eager to distinguish his work as original.
How Stephen King’s Endorsement Elevated The Evil Dead
One of Stephen King’s most commendable traits is his habit of using his platform to uplift emerging creatives, a reputation established long before his current social media presence. His influence notably benefited Sam Raimi during the release of his groundbreaking horror debut, The Evil Dead, a film made while Raimi and his friends Bruce Campbell and Rob Tappert were students at Michigan State University.
Though now a horror classic, The Evil Dead initially faced extreme skepticism from distributors, particularly due to its graphic content, which discouraged buyers at the 1982 Cannes Film Market. Raimi recalls the difficulty:
“Nobody would touch Evil Dead with a ten foot plague pole.”
During this challenging time, King happened to attend a preview screening at Cannes and was deeply impressed.
“[Stephen King] gave me my chance in the business. When when Evil Dead was trying to be sold as a, you know, a 16 millimeter blow up in the Cannes Film Market – not the festival, but the market is the shady dealings going on underneath the prestigious film festival, where buyers from Spain or Italy will buy an inexpensive American film and the marketers know, ‘Oh, Italy will have 200 theaters will play this kind of film.’ And they know it’s worth, and they make deals. They sell it. Well, nobody would touch Evil Dead with a ten foot plague pole.” – Sam Raimi
King, just eight years into his successful career by then, had already established himself with bestsellers like Carrie, Salem’s Lot, and The Shining. After seeing The Evil Dead, he offered a glowing review in Twilight Zone Magazine, which Raimi describes as deeply gratifying:
“And then Stephen King happened to be in the theater in Cannes, the market. He saw it, and he gave us a great review in Twilight Zone magazine. And I was so honored because he was my giantest, largest hero, still is. He’s a tremendous influence.” – Sam Raimi
King’s endorsement proved transformative, attracting attention from critics and distributors, leading to the film’s release in Britain and eventual domestic distribution by New Line Cinema. King’s support helped shift The Evil Dead from obscurity to cult classic status, permanently altering Raimi’s career trajectory and marking the start of his lasting legacy in horror film.
Sam Raimi’s Reflections on Stephen King and Industry Comparisons
Raimi maintains deep admiration for King, crediting him sincerely for his entry into the film industry. However, Raimi also expressed reservations about the frequent comparisons drawn by industry outlets between his new film, Send Help, and King’s Misery. When Deadline described the movie as part Misery, part Robert Zemeckis’ Cast Away, Raimi pushed back:
“As far as Misery is concerned, I love the book. And Rob Reiner’s film is brilliant and Kathy Bates is awesome. But when I read in Variety [sic], ‘Oh, Send Help is going to be like a mix between Misery and Castaway,’ I thought I’d rather not have those references. As much as I love both the movies and they’re both great classics, I want it to be its own thing.” – Sam Raimi
Raimi’s comment reflects his desire for Send Help to be recognized as an independent work, even as some thematic parallels exist. The film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle, a resourceful woman who survives a plane crash alongside her nepo baby and sexist boss, Bradley, played by Dylan O’Brien. Stranded together on an island, Linda seizes control of their survival, flipping the expected power dynamic.
In certain respects, Linda’s relationship to Bradley evokes the dynamic between Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon from Misery. Yet Linda is not an obsessed fan, nor the antagonist; she is the story’s protagonist, facing her own moral questions rather than suffering from untreated psychological issues like Kathy Bates’s iconic character. This complexity sets the film apart and invites audiences to appreciate it on its own terms.
Given these nuances, the comparison to Misery is understandable but incomplete, indicating Raimi’s hope audiences approach Send Help with fresh eyes as an original addition to the horror genre.
Remembering Cell on Its 20th Anniversary
This year marks two decades since Stephen King released his novel Cell on February 24, 2006. Emerging before the iPhone revolutionized mobile technology, the book tapped into early 21st-century concerns about the omnipresence of cell phones. King’s inspiration came from mistaking a man using a wireless headset on a New York City street for someone suffering a mental breakdown, a misunderstanding that sparked the novel’s concept.
Cell explores a scenario in which a signal broadcast over mobile phones turns people savage, ultimately gathering survivors into a hive mind. While the premise introduced intriguing ideas, some readers, including critics, found the novel less compelling than King’s best work. The action peaks early, and characters such as Clay Riddell, Tom McCourt, and Alice Maxwell do not exhibit the depth often expected from King’s protagonists and supporting cast.
Though Cell avoids the pitfalls of King’s less favored books from periods of personal struggle, like Tommyknockers or Dreamcatcher, it remains a more challenging read and one primarily appreciated amid the broader context of King’s extensive bibliography.
Stephen King’s Enduring Impact on Film and Emerging Talent
Stephen King’s influence extends beyond his own writing into the careers of filmmakers like Sam Raimi, who benefits from King’s rare combination of generosity and cultural prominence. Raimi’s story about King’s support during the early days of The Evil Dead highlights how the author’s advocacy helped transform a difficult-to-place indie horror film into a seminal work, launching Raimi’s successful career.
King’s ongoing engagement with the entertainment industry, from championing creative works to founding the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, reflects his commitment to nurturing new voices and shaping horror storytelling for generations. As Raimi’s new film premieres and King’s body of work continues to evolve, their intertwined legacies remain a testament to the power of creative mentorship and artistic collaboration.
The complete Stephen King article which got 'Evil Dead' published
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