Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for You Like It Darker by Stephen King.

Stephen King‘s new book, You Like It Darker, is one of the biggest horror releases of 2024 — and many of the stories in this collection live up to the hype, though some are more memorable than others. You Like It Darker feels like a return to the author’s roots, as he digs into tropes and themes that define his early work. He also revisits the characters and world of his 1981 novel, Cujo, something that will no doubt appeal to longtime fans.

True to its title, You Like It Darker explores the grimmer aspects of life. It doesn’t shy away from horrific imagery and behavior, but traditional horror isn’t the only thing this book has going for it. King delves into difficult but relatable subjects like grief and purpose, and he also swings wildly in the other direction, blending sci-fi and horror in several narratives. Everything from You Like It Darker is worth reading, but the varying lengths and themes of its stories make it so that some land better than others.

12

“The Turbulence Expert” (2018)

An Intriguing Premise That Doesn’t Do Enough

First published in Fright or Flight in 2018, “The Turbulence Expert” is one of King’s stories that makes an appearance in You Like It Darker — and unfortunately, it’s the weakest of the bunch. “The Turbulence Expert” follows a man who works for a mysterious organization that tasks him with boarding and saving rough flights. The main character’s anxiety over their assignment is likely to keep readers on edge throughout this story, but it doesn’t accomplish much beyond that. “The Turbulence Expert” boasts an intriguing concept, but it doesn’t do enough with it.

Readers will be left feeling like this narrative needs to be lengthier, spending more time on its world and characters. In fact, it would probably make a better novel than a short story. As it stands, it’s difficult to care much about any of the characters in “The Turbulence Expert.” It also doesn’t feel like much happens, as there’s an immediate expectation that Craig Dixon will save the plane. No questions about the organization he works for are ever answered, and all of these shortcomings make this the weakest tale in You Like It Darker.

11

“Finn” (2022)

Too Many Unanswered Questions In This Bizarre Story

Initially published on Scribd in 2022, “Finn” is probably the trippiest story in You Like It Darker. It follows the titular character as he’s kidnapped by a bizarre group — one whose constant questions and tests leave him questioning reality. “Finn” is memorable, as the behavior of Finn’s captors will leave readers as perplexed as King’s lead. But like “The Turbulence Expert,” this story leaves too many questions unanswered and doesn’t fully land.

“Finn” is more entertaining than the 2018 story, but it isn’t as clever as You Like It Darker‘s other inclusions. Its ending is probably the highlight of the entire narrative, as it drives home the question of what’s real and what isn’t. Unfortunately, that doesn’t do enough to justify everything else that happens. Some explanation for the wild behavior Finn witnesses would be nice, though the lack of reason does make his captors seem more unhinged and terrifying.

10

“Red Screen” (2021)

A Missed Opportunity To Dig Into Relevant Topics

“Red Screen” is a story originally published as an e-book in 2021, and it’s one of the additions to You Like It Darker that blends sci-fi and horror. It almost feels like it shouldn’t, though, as the narrative opens the door to explore so many relevant topics — then takes a sharp turn towards aliens instead. “Red Screen” opens with a man turning himself in for killing his wife, who he claims is no longer the woman he married. He believes an alien has taken over her body, and the ending of this story suggests he’s correct.

The twist ending of “Red Screen” is a bit fun, but it pales in comparison to what this story could have been. When Leonard admits to stabbing his wife, Detective Frank Wilson mocks him for believing conspiracy theories on the internet. Their conversation highlights the increasing tendency to believe anything the internet says, and it also draws attention to the ways people can be brainwashed and pushed towards violence. “Red Screen” initially seems like a commentary on misinformation and domestic violence, but suggesting Leonard is right about his wife undoes a lot of the impact.

9

“Laurie” (2018)

Despite its focus on death and grief, “Laurie” is probably the most heartwarming story in You Like It Darker. That isn’t something readers necessarily expect from a horror collection, but “Laurie” succeeds at keeping readers on edge and getting them emotionally invested. Originally published on stephenking.com in 2018, this tale follows a grieving widower named Lloyd as he comes to care for the puppy his sister foists upon him. When the two finally fall into a routine together, they discover the body of Lloyd’s neighbor — and the massive alligator who kills him.

“Laurie” doesn’t rely on twists or supernatural occurrences to scare readers; it simply places Lloyd and his beloved pup in harm’s way, forcing them to face their own mortality. Readers must face the randomness and chance that accompanies life and death as well. “Laurie” is a more grounded horror tale, and it has a happy ending. This leaves less of an impact than King’s scarier stories in You Like It Darker, but it does prove memorable and touching enough to avoid the bottom of a ranking.

8

“Willie The Weirdo” (2022)

King’s “Willie the Weirdo” appears in the Spring 2022 edition of Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, and like his other recent stories, it shows up in You Like It Darker. “Willie the Weirdo” is distinctly unsettling from the time it opens, and it must be praised for making readers so uncomfortable. The story follows a 10-year-old boy whose fascination with death and violence isolates him from almost everyone, including his parents and sister. The only person he gets along with is his dying grandfather, who tells him violent stories about wars he couldn’t have possibly fought in.

The story’s twist is that Willie’s grandfather isn’t exactly human. It appears he can inhabit another person’s body when he’s finished with his own, a fate he inflicts on Willie at the end. “Willie the Weirdo” isn’t the most gripping story in You Like It Darker, but its ending reveal perfectly pulls everything together. That lands it above the stories from You Like It Darker that feel less focused. Unfortunately, its unlikable characters and the fact that it mirrors the twist from “Gramma” prevent it from ranking even higher. King has more unique and compelling tales in his new collection.

7

“The Fifth Step” (2020)

First appearing in the March 2020 edition of Harper’s Magazine, “The Fifth Step” is one of the shortest stories in You Like It Darker. This makes it even more impressive that it packs such a powerful punch. “The Fifth Step” follows a retiree named Harold as he agrees to listen to the confessions of a recovering alcoholic named Jack. Jack must have this conversation as part of his journey for Alcoholics Anonymous, and his revelations are initially mild. They get darker as they continue, and it’s not until it’s too late that Harold realizes Jack’s issues run deeper than alcoholism.

The reveal that Jack is a killer is a jarring one, and it sets “The Fifth Step” apart from some of You Like It Darker‘s less surprising stories. The underlying message of this tale — that it’s impossible to know whether a stranger is a kind person or a killer — is harrowing, but it has an impact. “The Fifth Step” may not seem like much, but it will stick with readers after it’s finished. That’s the sign of a good story, and King nails it with this one, even if it doesn’t boast the emotional investment of You Like It Darker‘s top six narratives.

6

“On Slide Inn Road”

“On Slide Inn Road” is the best short story from You Like It Darker, though it doesn’t compare to King’s novellas. This tale, published in Esquire in 2020, sees a family driving their car into a ditch on the way to visit their dying relative. As Frank and Corinne Brown attempt to turn their car around, their kids discover the titular Slide Inn. One of them also finds a body, and he soon runs into the two men responsible for putting it there.

These men attempt to rob and kill the Browns, but their grandfather manages to save the day. He tricks the killers into letting him into the trunk, promising a monetary reward. Instead, Grandpop pulls out a baseball bat and uses it to protect his family. “On Slide Inn Road” offers a narrative that will leave readers cheering, which doesn’t happen often in You Like It Darker. It’s also tense and surprisingly violent, making for a memorable ride all around. Unfortunately, it isn’t as scary as King’s novellas in You Like It Darker, nor does it sell readers on the characters as much as these longer works.

5

The Dreamers (2024)

Like all of King’s novellas in You Like It Darker, The Dreamers is newly published for the collection. Its eerie narrative makes for a better horror tale than the book’s short stories, though it’s the weakest of the long-form ones. The Dreamers follows a Vietnam veteran named William as he agrees to work as a typist for a mad scientist. This scientist wants to push past the barrier of reality using dreams, and he doesn’t stop when otherworldly forces make it obvious that he should.

William watches as things get out of control — and eventually turn deadly — and this makes for a nail-biting narrative. The imagery described throughout The Dreamers is disturbing, rendering it one of the most frightening additions to You Like It Darker. Unfortunately, the lack of explanations for what William witnesses leaves readers with more questions than answers. The characters’ motivations also don’t feel fully fleshed out, which makes it difficult to get too invested in this story. In this regard, King’s other novellas leave a more lasting impression.

4

Rattlesnakes (2024)

A sequel of sorts to Cujo, Rattlesnakes is undeniably the scariest story in You Like It Darker — and for some, that would make it the best. Rattlesnakes follows Vic Trenton decades after Tad’s death, and it finds him facing a haunting in Florida. While he’s staying at a friend’s home, he unwillingly inherits two ghost children, and he struggles to get rid of them. The visions they show him are disturbing, and they’ll leave readers sufficiently horrified. The notion that ghosts can attach themselves to people in this way is also terrifying, and it makes Rattlesnakes a solid horror tale.

3

Two Talented Bastids (2024)

Two Talented Bastids is the opening story of You Like It Darker, and it isn’t exactly scary — at least not in the traditional sense. It follows Mark, the son of a famous author, as he uncovers the truth about his father’s overnight success. That truth involves aliens, and while they aren’t the biggest or most unsettling part of this story, they do make for an intriguing twist. What’s more haunting about Two Talented Bastids is its approach to talent and passion. Its bleak commentary on these topics delivers on the existential horror. This is one writers and artists will appreciate thoroughly.

2

The Answer Man (2024)

Like Two Talented Bastids, The Answer Man isn’t traditionally scary, but it boasts an existential and otherworldly quality that will make readers sit in their feelings. The Answer Man is set at three separate points of Phil Parker’s life: the three times he has a run-in with a mysterious being called the Answer Man. This man answers questions for a price, and they’re always correct. He confirms that Phil will marry the woman he loves and move to the town he wants to. The Answer Man also indirectly hints at the deaths of Phil’s son and wife, delivering tragedy as well as hope.

1

Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream (2024)

Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream is the best story from You Like It Darker overall, and it speaks to a very human wickedness. This novella blends supernatural horror with everyday terrors, opening with the titular character having a nightmare about finding a body — one that later comes true. When Danny calls in the body, he becomes the primary murder suspect. The rest of the narrative highlights how assumptions and biases can ruin a man’s life, with one police officer hounding Danny incessantly.