Stephen King is undeniably one of the most prolific writers in the horror genre. However, certain elements in his books remain controversial, making them difficult to read even today. Every Stephen King book contains a vast array of chilling tales that have captivated and terrified readers worldwide. His works have often pushed the boundaries of the genre, exploring taboo subjects with unflinching honesty. While many of Stephen King’s novels have been successfully adapted for film and television, some of the more controversial aspects of his writing have proven challenging to translate to the screen.
From graphic depictions of violence and gore to sensitive topics such as child sexuality and abuse, King’s works have never shied away from confronting the most disturbing facets of human nature. These controversial moments, found in books like It, Misery, and The Dark Tower series, have sparked intense debates, raising questions about the limits of artistic expression and the responsibilities of storytellers in portraying such unsettling content. Despite the controversies surrounding some of his works, King’s impact on the horror genre and popular culture as a whole remains undeniable, cementing his status as a master of the craft.
6
Sheldon’s Amputation
Misery
In a shocking and visceral moment from Stephen King’s novel Misery, the deranged superfan Annie Wilkes takes her brutality to a new level when she amputates author Paul Sheldon’s foot. This gruesome act, described in graphic detail by King, showcases the depths of Wilkes’ madness and the extent of her willingness to inflict harm on the object of her obsession. The scene is particularly disturbing as it involves not only the physical removal of Sheldon’s foot, but also the subsequent cauterization of the wound using a propane torch, adding an extra layer of horror to an already nightmarish situation.
While the film adaptation, which is one of Kathy Bates’ best movies, features a memorable and cringe-worthy scene where her character Annie breaks Sheldon’s legs with a sledgehammer, it pales in comparison to the novel’s far more violent and visceral amputation scene. The decision to omit this particular moment from the film was likely due to its extremely graphic nature, which could have pushed the boundaries of what is typically tolerated on screen. Additionally, the amputation scene might have been considered too shocking and controversial for mainstream audiences, potentially overshadowing the film’s psychological thriller elements.
Despite its absence from the adaptation, the amputation scene showcases King’s ability to create truly disturbing and unforgettable moments in his writing, cementing Misery as a classic in the horror genre. The novel’s unflinching portrayal of Wilkes’ sadistic actions and Sheldon’s suffering adds to the overall atmosphere of terror and helplessness, making the reader feel the protagonist’s pain and desperation on a visceral level.
5
Sue’s Miscarriage
Carrie
The revelation of Sue Snell’s miscarriage in King’s debut novel Carrie stands as one of the most controversial and emotionally charged moments in the book. This plot point occurs after Carrie’s rampage at the prom, during which she unleashes her powers on her classmates, resulting in countless deaths and destruction. In the aftermath of this horrific event, Carrie has a conversation with Sue, who had shown her kindness earlier in the story. Carrie reveals to Sue that she is pregnant with a girl, only for Sue to later suffer from a miscarriage due to the stress of the carnage.
King’s decision to incorporate Sue’s miscarriage into the story adds a layer of complexity to the already disturbing tale. While Carrie is considered one of horror’s best female villains, the loss of Sue’s unborn child serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of violence and cruelty often extend far beyond the intended targets. This controversial moment in the novel raises difficult questions about the cyclical nature of trauma, the impact of bullying and ostracism, and the far-reaching effects of revenge.
King does not shy away from depicting the emotional and physical toll that such a loss can have on an individual, particularly in the context of the novel’s already harrowing events. The inclusion of this plot point may be seen as problematic, as it could be interpreted as using a sensitive and painful experience as a shock factor. However, others may argue that King’s decision to address this difficult subject matter head-on adds depth and realism to the story, forcing readers to confront the often-overlooked consequences of violence and the ripple effects it can have on a community.
4
Roland Sacrifices Jake
The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower series includes a gut-wrenching and morally complex moment in which the protagonist, Roland, faces an impossible decision that ultimately leads to the death of his young companion, Jake. This scene, which occurs when Jake is hanging precariously from a crumbling bridge, begging for Roland’s help, forces the gunslinger to choose between saving the boy’s life or continuing his quest. The controversy surrounding this scene stems from Roland’s decision to prioritize his mission over the life of a child, allowing Jake to fall to his death in a moment that haunts Roland throughout the rest of the series.
The decision to sacrifice Jake for the sake of the quest raises difficult questions about the value of individual lives, the greater good, and the consequences of single-minded devotion to a cause. Roland’s choice to let Jake die can be seen as a reflection of his unwavering commitment to reaching the Dark Tower, even at the expense of his own humanity. In today’s context, the scene may be viewed as particularly problematic, as it seemingly condones the sacrificing of a child’s life for the sake of a larger goal, a notion that many would find deeply unsettling and unethical.
The film adaptation of The Dark Tower chose to omit this controversial scene altogether. The decision to leave out Jake’s tragic death at the hands of Roland may have been influenced by the desire to streamline the story for the screen and to avoid alienating audiences with such a dark and morally ambiguous moment. Even though Stephen King criticized this film adaptation, the visual depiction of a child falling to his death, coupled with the emotional weight of Roland’s choice, could have been deemed too intense or disturbing for a mainstream film adaptation.
3
Tad’s Death
Cujo
The untimely and tragic death of five-year-old Tad in Stephen King’s novel Cujo serves as a shocking and unsettling reminder of the story’s unflinching approach to horror. In the book, Tad succumbs to heatstroke while trapped in a car with his mother, Donna, as she desperately fights off the rabid St. Bernard, Cujo. This devastating turn of events deviates from the novel’s supernatural threats, instead focusing on the terror that can arise from seemingly ordinary sources. King’s bold decision to kill off such a young child in the narrative is a disturbing choice that highlights the characters’ helplessness.
The death of a child in a story, particularly in the manner depicted in Cujo, is a highly sensitive and emotionally charged subject. King’s choice to include this plot point subverts the common trope of children being spared from harm or saved in the end. In contemporary society, the death of a child in fiction is considered even more taboo or problematic, as it taps into deep-seated fears and challenges societal norms surrounding the protection and sanctity of children’s lives.
When adapting Cujo for the screen, the 1983 film version made a significant departure from the novel’s ending by ultimately sparing Tad’s life. This alteration was likely made to make the movie more palatable and to avoid concluding the story on such a bleak and emotionally devastating note. The decision to revive Tad at the end of the film illustrates the challenges inherent in adapting King’s works for the screen, as filmmakers must often strike a balance between remaining faithful to the source material and creating a commercially viable product.
2
Jack Disfigures His Own Face
The Shining
In a disturbing display of self-mutilation, Jack Torrance, the protagonist of Stephen King’s novel The Shining, disfigures his own face with a mallet at the height of his descent into madness. This shocking act of violence, which occurs as Jack pursues his wife and son through the hotel, shows the depth of his mental deterioration and the extent to which he has become a threat to his own family. The scene is described in vivid detail by King and adds an extra layer of horror to an already intense and unsettling climax, as the reader is forced to confront the grotesque physical manifestation of Jack’s inner demons.
The decision to have Jack disfigure his own face in such a brutal manner is a controversial one, as it pushes the boundaries of violence and gore in the horror genre. The act of self-harm, particularly one as severe as this, can be seen as gratuitous or exploitative, serving only to shock and disturb without adding meaningful depth to the story. On the other hand, the scene could be considered essential to conveying the full extent of Jack’s madness and the all-consuming nature of the evil that has taken hold of him.
Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film adaptation of The Shining chose to omit this controversial scene, instead opting to have Jack pursue his family with an ax rather than a mallet. While Stephen King has many opinions about The Shining’s film adaptation, Kubrick’s decision to leave out the face-disfigurement scene may have been influenced by a desire to keep the focus on the psychological horror rather than the physical gore. However, Kubrick’s masterful use of cinematography, sound design, and atmosphere more than compensates for this omission, creating a sense of unrelenting dread and tension.
1
The Child Orgy
It
In a highly controversial and disturbing scene from the novel It, the young characters, known as the Losers, engage in a graphic act of group sex initiated by Beverly, the sole female member of the group. This moment occurs when the children find themselves lost and on the verge of defeat in their battle against the malevolent entity, Pennywise. Beverly suggests that the only way to escape their predicament is for all the boys to have sex with her, a proposal that they carry out in the narrative.
The inclusion of this explicit sexual content involving minors has been a topic of intense debate and criticism, as it pushes the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in mainstream literature, particularly given the sensitive nature of the subject and the age of the characters involved. The graphic depiction of children engaging in sexual acts in It raises significant concerns about the exploitation and sexualization of minors in fiction. The notion of a young girl initiating a sexual encounter with multiple boys as a means of overcoming adversity or bonding is deeply troubling.
Despite the controversy surrounding this scene, it is notable that both the 1990 television adaptation and the 2017 film version of It chose to omit the graphic sexual content entirely. This decision was likely influenced by a combination of factors, including the need to make the story more palatable for mainstream audiences and the potential backlash and criticism that the inclusion of such a scene would generate. While Stephen King has attempted to explain the scene’s purpose as a metaphorical connection between childhood and adulthood, the fact remains that the scene continues to be a source of discomfort and controversy.
