Stephen King on Screen: Taglines Quiz

Answer: Graveyard Shift

"Graveyard Shift" is based on a short story of the same name, that appeared in King's collection, "Night Shift". The success of "The Shining" and "Pet Sematary" led to a public desire for more Stephen King horror material. "Graveyard Shift" tells the story of a group of men working the night shift who, while working deep beneath a building, come across some terrifying creatures in the darkness.

Answer: Hearts in Atlantis

The film focuses on the story of a young boy named Bobby, who lives alone with his mother. A mysterious stranger (played by Anthony Hopkins) moves into the apartment upstairs and develops a close friendship with the boy.

Answer: The Shawshank Redemption

The film is based on the novella, "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," which appeared in "Different Seasons". The tagline fits because the film is about a wrongfully-convicted prisoner (played by Tim Robbins) attempting to escape through a tunnel. One prisoner, Red (played by Morgan Freeman) narrates the story. It is his fear of freedom that keeps him inside.

Answer: Needful Things

The film, directed by Fraser Clarke Heston, was released in 1993 and was based on the King novel of the same name. The tagline describes the central situation; an evil man comes to town and, in return for whatever the citizens desire, he forces them to commit terrible, life-altering acts.

Answer: The Shining

This film was hailed as a masterpiece, as the tagline says, due to the notoriety of the acclaimed director (Stanley Kubrick) and the success of the novel. It tells the story of a man who, haunted by ghosts, goes mad inside a hotel in the mountains, trapped with his family. King disliked the 1980 version and had it re-interpreted as a TV miniseries in 1997.

Answer: Firestarter

This film tells the story of a young girl, named Charlie, who can create fire with her mind. Now she, her family, and the town, must attempt to survive her terrifying power. It starred a twenty-something Heather Locklear, and a very fresh Drew Barrymore as Charlie.

Answer: Pet Sematary

"Pet Sematary" tells the tale of a strange cemetery where the inhabitants return to life. As the tagline says, sometimes it's better to leave things dead, considering the terrifying and violent actions of the newly revived.

Answer: Christine

This film, based on the King novel of the same name, tells the story of a haunted car that begins killing its passengers. The question facing the group becomes; how can we kill it, if it is not really alive?

Answer: Cujo

"Cujo" tells the story of a crazed St. Bernard that attacks a woman and her son, trapping them inside their car. It is based on the King novel of the same name. The filmmakers hoped to revive the horror genre with this film. Their attempt was not entirely successful, although the single name, Cujo, has come to be one of the most famous horror references in history.

Answer: Misery

Rob Reiner's "Misery" tells the tale of a stranded author (played by James Caan) who is forced to continue his completed book series to appease a crazed woman (played by Kathy Bates). He must finish his "Misery" series if he wants her to keep him alive.