The spooky season has arrived, and streaming platforms are in fierce competition this October, striving to offer content that thrills and chills. Among them, Netflix stands out with a well-curated catalog, featuring a mix of classics, recent hits, and original productions.
Leading the lineup is “It’s What’s Inside,” a suspenseful story about a group of friends whose pre-wedding celebration takes a dark turn when an estranged friend brings a mysterious game that unearths buried secrets.
The streamer has also added iconic productions like “As Above, So Below” and “Halloween,” along with some debated hits. While these picture may not have been well-received by critics upon release, they make for a perfect spooky Sunday watch. Here, discover all about the recently added Stephen King adaptation that’s quietly climbing the charts despite its mixed reviews.
‘Firestarter,’ the overlooked Stephen King adaptation that’s now dominating the Netflix charts
When “Firestarter” was released in 2022, it was widely regarded as one of the worst Stephen King adaptations. However, its resurgence on Netflix has flipped the narrative, as it quickly climbed the charts, becoming the fourth most-watched movie worldwide within hours of its release.
The production is not only based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name but also serves as a remake of the 1984 movie. It follows Charlie McGee, a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities, the result of secret government experiments on her parents, Andy and Vicky, conducted by an organization called The Shop. When the latter attempt to capture and weaponize her powers, Charlie and her father go on the run, relying on Andy’s mind-control gift to evade capture.
Directed by Keith Thomas, known for “The Vigil” and his work on Guillermo del Toro’s “Cabinet of Curiosities,” “Firestarter” had an interesting production history. Initially, John Carpenter was set to direct, but after “The Thing” underperformed at the box office, he was replaced. It’s ironic, considering the flick was also initially criticized but later became a classic.
The cast features Zac Efron and Sydney Lemmon as Charlie’s parents, while Ryan Kiera Armstrong portrays the little protagonist. At just 12 years old, Armstrong faced controversy for being nominated for the 2022 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. The nomination sparked public backlash, leading to its withdrawal and a rule change barring minors from future editions.
Despite its rocky reception, “Firestarter” has found new life on streaming, with even die-hard Stephen King fans arguing that it was unfairly judged upon release. They say the film not as bad as “Cell” or “The Mangler”—so maybe it’s worth giving it a shot!
