The Oscar Snub That Stephen King Still Can't Get Over Involves One of His Movies: "Beyond Imagining"

When Stephen King, whose works have spawned dozens of adaptations and received only one Academy Award nomination for acting, speaks out against one of the most egregious injustices, his words are worth listening to.

The writer, whose opinions on the horror genre carry particular weight, has repeatedly spoken about one case in particular, which he considers a failure of academic recognition.

Stephen King Believes John Cusack Should Have Earned an Oscar for His Performance in '1408'

Stephen King has never hidden his admiration for John Cusack's performance in 1408, which is based on King's short story of the same name.

In his book Danse Macabre, King called Cusack's depiction of a character's descent into madness unparalleled:

“John Cusack gives a bravura performance as a cynical debunker of the supernatural who discovers that there really is an invisible world out there, one full of horrors beyond imagining. As a one-man depiction of madness, it stands alone.”

King adds:

“In overlooking Cusack's performance, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences once more proved that great work is almost never rewarded if it's done in a horror movie.”

What Is '1408' About?

The plot follows Mike Enslin, a cynical writer specializing in debunking supernatural phenomena and paranormal locations.

In search of material for his next book, he checks into the ominous Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel in New York City. The room has been empty for decades due to a series of mysterious and tragic deaths.

Despite the hotel manager's desperate attempts to dissuade him, Enslin enters the room, confident in his skepticism. However, he soon realizes that cynicism is an inadequate defense against genuine, merciless evil.

'1408' Adaptation Turned Out to Be Better Than Stephen King's Short Story

This is a rare case in which a short story by Stephen King, from the collection Everything's Eventual, became the basis for a movie that many consider to be stronger and richer than the source material.

Director Mikael Håfström masterfully expanded the compact narrative framework of the genre, transforming the story into a perfect example of claustrophobic horror.

1408 operates as a mechanism of relentless psychological pressure and the room becomes a mirror of the main character's soul, and its attacks visualize his inner demons.

John Cusack essentially delivers a one-man show, and his transformation from a self-assured debunker to a broken, hysterical, and desperate man is a true tour de force.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of '1408'?

• 1408 has 80% from critics and 61% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.8/10.

• On Letterboxd, 1408 scored 3.2/5.0.

Where to Watch '1408'?

1408 is available to stream on Netflix and Peacock.