Stephen King’s favorite so bad it’s good horror movie might come as a surprise to many genre fans, as he openly embraces a cult flop that both its director and writer have called a failure. The film in question, “Prophecy,” stands out not for its critical acclaim but for its status as a delightfully flawed creation that King admitted to viewing multiple times.
How “Prophecy” Emerged from an Unlikely Creator
During the late 1970s, director John Frankenheimer found himself at a turning point in his Hollywood career. Known for acclaimed films like “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Birdman of Alcatraz,” Frankenheimer’s more recent efforts had not matched his earlier success. Facing a string of box office disappointments, he seized the chance to rejuvenate his career by taking on ambitious projects. One such opportunity was directing “French Connection II,” a sequel to William Friedkin’s celebrated film. At the time, Frankenheimer shared his philosophy on filmmaking:
“I want to make pictures that one sees,”
—John Frankenheimer, Director. He added,
“There’s a great public out there, and you have to reach them; otherwise, you’re not in the movie business.”
—John Frankenheimer, Director. This drive kept Frankenheimer searching for his next big hit.
Following the action-packed “Black Sunday,” which dealt with a terrorist attack at the Super Bowl, Frankenheimer’s career momentarily regained momentum. Shortly after, he ventured into new territory by agreeing to direct his first horror film, “Prophecy,” produced by Paramount Pictures and scripted by David Seltzer, known for his work on “The Omen.”
The Ambitious Plot and Production Challenges of “Prophecy”
“Prophecy” attempted to blend environmental caution with horror by telling the story of a river polluted by a paper mill, resulting in the mutation of a local bear into a monstrous, rampaging beast. Frankenheimer intended to craft an ecological allegory, using the mutated creature as a warning about the consequences of industrial pollution. Despite his efforts to highlight this message, the movie failed to deliver genuine scares, and its monster, rather than evoking fear, became a source of ridicule.
The production suffered from creative uncertainties. On visiting the film‘s set, David Seltzer witnessed what he would later describe dismissively as
“nothing but some big ballet dancer wearing huge shoes and a bear costume.”
—David Seltzer, Writer. After viewing the finished movie, he declared,
“It’s a terrible movie. No, it really sucks.”
—David Seltzer, Writer.
John Frankenheimer himself later expressed regret, acknowledging that the film could have turned out far better. He attributed part of the outcome to his struggles with alcohol addiction at the time and discussed a key creative decision: choosing to keep the monster more bear-like, in contrast to Seltzer’s original vision of a creature representing multiple evolutionary stages.
Stephen King’s Unapologetic Admiration for a Cinematic Misfire
While both Frankenheimer and Seltzer voiced disappointment, the film found an unexpected champion in Stephen King. The horror expert shared his perspective in his non-fiction work, “Danse Macabre,” where he explored overlooked and unconventional horror movies. He wrote,
“Since any affectionate discussion of really horrible movies (as opposed to horror movies) is in the nature of a breast baring,”
—Stephen King, Author. King further confessed,
“I must admit here that I not only liked John Frankenheimer’s Prophecy, I actually saw it three times.”
—Stephen King, Author. Rather than dismissing “Prophecy,” an audience icon like King celebrated it for the very reasons others criticized it, praising its unique blend of awfulness and entertainment value.
The Enduring Appeal of Films That Transcend Their Flaws
King’s enthusiasm for “Prophecy” highlights a truth about audience tastes: some movies can captivate viewers precisely because of their shortcomings. Where creator frustration and production regret colored the perspectives of Frankenheimer and Seltzer, King and fans found genuine enjoyment in the film’s earnest missteps. Perhaps the creative team was too close to see its accidental charm, or perhaps King simply relished the unpredictable delights of a failed horror experiment.
The embrace of “Prophecy” as Stephen King’s favorite so bad it’s good horror movie demonstrates how cinematic failures can gain new life among fans and cultural commentators. For many, especially those who appreciate flawed yet fascinating stories, the film’s peculiar blend of horror, laughter, and environmental messaging continues to spark discussion and delight decades after its troubled debut. The tale of “Prophecy” stands as an example of how a cinematic misfire can still find a meaningful place in the hearts of audiences, and even inspire repeated viewings from genre legends like King.
