Stephen King, famous American writer, knows perfectly well how to overwhelm his readers through his many horrific and agonizing writings. If his works mark the spirits on blank pages, they are just as painful on the big screen. That, Shining, Carrie, Misery… So many thrillers that we will never take our heads off. This time, it is his novella 1922 published in the collection Black Night, Dead Stars in 2010 which knows a film adaptation by the Australian director Zak Hilditch on Netflix (2017). Moreover, two other films have already emerged: A Good Marriage and Mortel Detour.
A well-staged period atmosphere:
Throwback to the 20's for this Netflix original thriller by Stephen King! Zak Hilditch immediately plunges us into the bucolic territories of Nebraska, at Hemingford Home. The sets allow us to quickly immerse ourselves in this poor, empty and dark time in Nebraska where $20 is a lot for a family. Costumes, colors, postures, codes… Everything is there to keep us on our toes. This is where Wilfred James lives. In addition to being the protagonist of the film, this character also happens to be the narrator. He tells us about his past, confesses his crime and his damnation… A confession quickly revealed by the protagonist himself, through a chaotic analepsis.
At first a simple husband and father of a son, an "injustice" pushes Wilfred to commit an act that will change his life forever. By further re-contextualizing the situation, his wife, Arlette Christina Winters James, had inherited a huge parcel of land from her father. And at that time when a man's pride is his land and his son, Wilfred was delighted. This does not displease his wife who had the growing ambition to sell his land (which was rightfully hers) and divorce in order to leave with their son Henry to open a clothing store in town.
Thomas Jane performs through a complex character:
AND… ACTION! It is from this precise moment that Thomas Jane gives us an enigmatic performance. Already published in 2007 as part of another adaptation of a work by Stephen King, The Mist, it was eagerly awaited by fans of the author in this thriller.
During the phase of reflection where the hatred of his wife inhabited him every day a little more, we discover a sneaky and unhealthy character, who takes over the farmer he has always been. He appears torn by his obsession with murder of his own wife. His observant behavior subjugates us to such an extent that we can not let go of our screen for a moment.
He is about to strike: "I think another person lies dormant in all of us. A stranger. A devious creature"
The complexity of his role, however, does not allow us to attach ourselves to him and understand the substance of his thoughts. We know that he will fish, that's for sure, but how did he come to regret it? Yet of course of him, his memories and anxieties haunt him little by little. Here we are faced with the descent into hell of a man both alone and inhabited, pursued by guilt.
A controlled suspense:
This so-called "riddle" film is long, it must be said. However, for a thriller of this kind, the suspense is so well controlled that at no time stopping the film crosses our minds. Above all, 1922 represents a marital murder, a son with unpredictable behavior and a father who loses his mind. But then how could Zak Hilditch capture the attention of viewers with all these elements?
Simply by tying everything together with a specific narrative scheme that allows us to restore order throughout the film. But not only that! To bring this Stephen King short story to life, the Australian director went to find the most appropriate pieces in times of turmoil. Expect to be surprised by scathing noises and oppressive music reminiscent of, The Shining itself.The horrific atmosphere is present, but will only go as far as the simple bristling of our hair. No worries!
1922 is a rather long thriller from which we can not detach ourselves in view of the bluffing performance of Thomas Jane. While some tend to say that it would have been wiser to gather the short stories of Stephen King' s Black Night, Dead Stars collection in the same film, we can say that it would have been too bad to miss such a nugget.
