Stephen King's Record-Breaking Rotten Tomatoes Streak Shattered by Unforgettable Horror Series

Stephen King endorsed his horror series Lisey's Story as ideal July entertainment, but the Apple TV+ adaptation ultimately broke his 19-year winning streak on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on King's 2006 novel of the same name, he played the roles of creator, executive producer, and writer for the show. Lisey's Story revolves around Lisey (Julianne Moore), a widow coping with the loss of her famous author husband, Scott Landon (Clive Owen), as she uncovers his hidden past. Despite its compelling concept, the Apple TV series received negative reviews from both critics and audiences.

Despite Stephen King's Twitter endorsement, Lisey's Story failed to resonate with viewers upon its release. King's Tweet read, "July might be a good time to binge LISEY'S STORY, on Apple+. All episodes directed by Pablo Larrain, all written by me." This limited series debuted in June 2021 and ran through July 2021. Although Lisey's Story is a couple of years old, King's recommendation may attract new viewers to the Apple TV series. However, even a fresh audience cannot alter the unfortunate position that Lisey's Story holds in King's body of work.

Lisey's Story Was Stephen King's First TV Show Since 2002 With A Rotten Score

Lisey's Story has a disappointing Rotten score of 53%, as critics agree that its overreliance on the source material and slow pace hinder its potential, despite Julianne Moore's commendable performance. Notably, Stephen King hadn't received a Rotten score since his 2002 adaptation "Stephen King's Red Rose," which holds a score of 41%. Fortunately, King's subsequent TV series, such as "Mr. Mercedes" and "The Mist," were much more favorably received by critics. Additionally, King's involvement as an executive producer in acclaimed adaptations like "11.22.63" and "Castle Rock" solidified his success in the television realm. Unfortunately, not even King's influence could rescue "Lisey's Story" from disappointing both critics and audiences.

Why The Reviews For Stephen King's Lisey's Story Miniseries Were So Mixed

Lisey's Story has faced criticism for its lack of logic and slow pace, with audiences and critics alike expressing disappointment that the talented cast couldn't salvage the overall quality of the show. However, there were also those who praised King's creativity and the show's commitment to the source material. Yet, some viewers were put off by the reliance on the source material, finding the central story too unusual. As Lisey delves into her late husband's past, she discovers his ability to travel to a parallel world called Booya Moon, a fantastical place accessed through water and inhabited by monsters from his childhood trauma. This intersection of Booya Moon and Scott's psychological horror takes the narrative in an unexpected and bizarre direction.

Despite its dark and unpredictable nature, Lisey's Story remains an intriguing series to watch, thanks to Pablo Larrain's direction and the committed performances of the cast. Stephen King's personal touch in this psychological horror series adds a unique dimension that surpasses its unconventional storyline. For fans of Stephen King, Lisey's Story may be a hidden gem they overlooked in recent years, even though it ultimately broke his Rotten Tomatoes record.

Source: Stephen King/Twitter