The Untapped Stephen King Gem Destined to Be an A24 Horror Classic — If Someone Finally Dares to Make It
Once, Hollywood almost brought it to life.
Stephen King is a filmmaker’s dream — his work has fueled everything from Oscar-winning dramas to midnight horror staples. The Children of the Corn franchise alone has spawned over ten adaptations. Yet some of his novels remain untouched. One of the most intriguing, in my opinion, is From a Buick 8 (2002).
It’s about a strange, abandoned Buick locked in a Pennsylvania State Police shed. This isn’t just a car — it’s an interdimensional mystery, a gateway to something alive and terrifying. Told through the voices of several officers, the novel blends small-town police drama with cosmic horror.
In 2019, actor Thomas Jane announced plans to adapt it with producer Courtney Lauren Penn. By 2020, Jim Mickle (Stake Land, Sweet Tooth) was set to direct. And then… silence.
I think this is exactly the kind of project A24 should bring to life. The studio thrives on atmospheric, unsettling horror — think The Witch or It Comes at Night. From a Buick 8 could channel that same creeping dread, mixing slow-burn tension with surreal, unforgettable imagery.
For casting, I see Jeffrey Wright as Captain Sandy Dearborn, combine authority with quiet empathy. George MacKay would be perfect as Ned Wilcox, a young man desperate to uncover the truth behind his father’s death and the Buick’s secret. Or maybe Lucas Hedges?
Some stories deserve to stay in the shed. But this one, I believe, is begging to hit the road.
